Insecurity Weakens Faith

"If you were honest, you’d probably admit there are moments when you do not feel 'Christian' at all," wrote pastor, author and theologian J.D. Greear. "Moments in which you care more about what’s coming on TV that night than you do the spread of the kingdom of God in the world. Moments in which you have fallen to that same old temptation for the thousandth time. Moments when God feels distant, almost like a stranger. Seasons in which your emotions for Him are lukewarm, if not downright cold. When you don’t jump out of bed in the morning hungry for His Word. When your mind wanders all over the place during prayer — that is, when you can bring yourself to pray. Moments when you’re not even sure you believe all this stuff."

Inwardly, I struggle with insecurity and that’s what God revealed to me this morning. It is definitely not the kind of uncertainty or lack of confidence about myself, but more of anxiety over what God Himself can do for my situation. It is a sign of a weakening faith.

Contrary to popular belief, Christians like me are not 100% steadfast people. It isn’t true that our prayer life is built on a rock-solid routine, or that we always pray with much passion and conviction. Don’t believe that Christians think they are better than everyone else too, because a genuine Christian possesses humility that is not self-seeking. It is not false modesty; it is a God-glorifying kind of humility.

Why is insecurity a sign of a weakening faith? Let us examine Luke 11:11-13:

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

It is clear that the Holy Spirit is a greater gift from God than any material or physical blessing. After all, genuine faith does not advocate the prosperity gospel for there is no doubt that God can provide anything that we will ever need. Why then, is receiving the Holy Spirit a greater blessing?

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17 )

Because insecurity is a sign of weak faith, the Holy Spirit gives us freedom from all kinds of insecurity. If we seek God first in our life, we can stop being insecure about our physical appearance, our relationships, our job, our finances and many other things that make us anxious every single day. Our focus will be directed to God instead of how difficult our situation is. When we are worried about our credit card debts or our lack of resources, receiving the Holy Spirit will strengthen our faith that God is the ultimate provider as He owns everything.

The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. (Haggai 2:8)

Whenever we wrestle with insecurity and we experience its many symptoms – lack of desire to pray, stress and irritability, envy and covetousness -  it would help to remind ourselves that God can set us free from all this anxiety, among other things. Faith is about letting God work on our behalf and giving up the struggle. Faith is saying, “I can’t possibly do this, but with God all things are possible.” Faith is approaching Him with much confidence; it does not underestimate a powerful, mighty God.

I am glad that God exposed my insecurity today, and replaced it with faith and hope. I pray that God will set you free from this spiritual battle, too. May God be glorified as He provides us a way out of everything that causes us to feel insecure.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”