Most of my morning thoughts of blogging relate to what my morning thoughts happen to be. This morning, the word insecurity popped up for some odd reason, and I could not turn back from it.
Insecurity: uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence.
We may experience insecurities about the future, our careers, our relationships, or our financial acumen. But the crux of the matter is how we feel about ourselves. When someone is whispering, are they talking about “me?” When they get up and leave the room, am I the reason?
Teenage fears are normal. Peer pressure. Group conformity. Don’t stick out like a sore thumb. As we age, we normally overcome these feelings. Our hormones settle down, our brain ceases to develop, and we become our own person.
Yet, we can still feel insecure as we age through life. Especially when we are uncertain, anxious, or lack confidence.
Just this morning, while thinking and researching this thought,
I received a verbal alert that my computer was infected with a virus threat.
“Call Microsoft immediately,” said the voice, and they repeated a “toll-free” number that was not a toll-free exchange.
A fog-horn alert was added to the sounds
trying to warn of the severity of the moment.
The warning continued,
“Don’t turn the computer off, or we will disable you.
Your credit card and personal data are insecure.”
I can imagine how some would react. The sky is falling! Wring those hands. Call that number. Give them a credit card. Breathe a sigh of relief.
Follow those instructions, and you’ll be paying someone to hack your machine further because that’s what they will do!
What did I do? CTRL+ALT+DELETE brings up the Task Manager. Close the browser. Reboot the computer. Run a virus scan and operating system test.
All is well. Go back to work.
What Do We Do?
I am in complete agreement with you. Sometimes we are so insecure we have no clue how to respond. If we are smart, we turn to someone we trust, who seems to have their wits about themselves and seek advice. Else, we hide behind our insecurities with bravado and foolish words.
Young Timothy was the Apostle Paul’s protege and had a ministry we know little about. But when we read Paul’s letters to him, we comprehend he must have needed some assurance for ministry to others.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
(2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)
As always, don’t read one scripture out of context. (2 Timothy 1) Paul gives us this nugget while reminding Timothy of his heritage and calling. Maybe this was something Timothy needed. (Think about the little engine, “I think I can…”)
When the enemy comes in, like a flood, the Lord will lift a standard against him! (Isaiah 59:19) (emphasis mine).
There are many scriptures like this one, and each comes from the mindset of reminding ourselves who and what we are. You are not in this battle alone. You can win over your insecurities. Sometimes you will work harder to win the battle over your mind than training yourself to do a task better.
Insecurities are of our own making.
Do not let them chase you down and defeat you.
Unite with someone else’s strength.
You will overcome when you see yourself better.
Though one may be overpowered by another,
two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
(Ecclesiastes 4:12 NKJV)