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What does the Bible teach about insecurity?

When we are insecure, we allow a lack of confidence or trust in ourselves to overtake our trust in God. Jeremiah 17:7–8 tells us, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." When we put our trust in God, we need not be insecure.

When we are in Christ, we know that God is with us, is for us, and He loves us. Romans 8:34–35 and 37–39 is a long passage to quote, but it is important in this discussion to read it here, and slowly:

"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Paul here offers us any number of items, circumstances, forces, and powers that may come against us or that we may find ourselves living in, but none of them, absolutely nothing, can separate us from God's love. With that kind of assurance, we can put our insecurity to rest.

Our enemy, the Devil, uses doubt to tempt us to question God's goodness. It is his oldest and most useful weapon—he used it against Eve in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1–8). However, we can trust God (Psalm 9:10; Deuteronomy 31:8; Lamentations 3:57; 2 Timothy 2:11–13; James 1:16–18). When you are feeling insecure, remind yourself of the truth of who God is as He demonstrates to us in His Word.

Our true enemy wants us to measure ourselves against others better off than we are. Because our struggle should not be against other people (Ephesians 6:12), we have been given spiritual armament for our defense and our battles (Ephesians 6:13–18).

Sometimes, too, we start to feel insecure because we look to other relationships, status, possessions, or wealth to supply us security; these things and friendships simply aren't created to do so. Often when we look deeper into the lives of those who seem to "have everything," we find discord, abuse, reliance on substances, violence, and/or general discontent. It's proof that possessions, money, and relationships do not provide lasting security.

It is God who offers us security (1 Timothy 6:17; Mark 10:23–27; Luke 12:16–21). No matter our circumstances, we can trust that He is there (John 14:15–17; Matthew 28:20). He is able to provide for all of our needs be they spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, or something else. This provision may not always look the way we would prefer it to, but we can trust that He created us and knows what is best for us (James 1:2–6; Romans 5:3–5; 1 Peter 3:15–17). It is when we rest in Him that we are meaningfully secure.

Sometimes it isn't our current situation that produces insecurity, but worries about our future. God addresses that, too. Matthew 6:31–34 says: "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Insecurity often comes down to this: we are looking to the things of the world to satisfy us, and not the things of God (1 John 2:15; Colossians 3:1–4). God alone offers us true security (Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 7:24).

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Philippians 4:19–20).

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