Insecurity. Everyone has dealt with it in their life. People deal with insecurity in many ways and for various reasons. There were multiple people in the Bible who dealt with insecurity and God spoke to each one in different ways.
Some may believe God takes a harsh approach to our insecurity chastising us for a lack of faith. That is a misunderstanding of the scriptures and the character of God.
We’ll take a look at what insecurity is, how it presents itself, three Bible characters, how God spoke to each of them, and what that means for us today.
What Insecurity Is
Most definitions of insecurity point to a lack of confidence, assurance, and self-doubt. However, the most basic breakdown of insecurity is the lack of security or the lack of feeling safe.
We can feel insecure in relationships, in our job, about our own bodies, and in social situations. These insecurities may be due to something called attachment issues that stem from unaddressed childhood trauma. They may also stem from emotional traumas such as betrayal or infidelity.
Insecurity presents itself through fear, worry, doubt, apprehension, and uncertainty.
For example:
- The disciples were afraid in the boat in the storm.
- Martha was worried about many things.
- Thomas doubted that Jesus rose again.
- Moses was apprehensive to deliver Israel from Egypt.
- Gideon was uncertain about the entire situation of God using him to deliver Israel from the Midianites.
These you may be familiar with. However, there is one who is championed for his faith, yet he dealt with large amounts of insecurity.
Abram who became Abraham, the father of our faith, is an excellent example of how God speaks to insecurity.
How God Speaks to Insecurity
God knows that people are insecure for various reasons.
Moses, Gideon, and Abram expressed their insecurities in different ways. God responded to each of them the same, at first. God spoke to the three of them with patience and empowerment.
However, the three of them responded differently to his initial approach. God then carried out a more individualized plan of grace for each of them.
Because God is love and full of compassion, he speaks to the root of the insecurity with the remedy.
How God Spoke to Moses’ Insecurity
Moses is a huge character in the Bible. When God came to him in the burning bush to recruit him to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses was insecure.
Why Moses didn’t want to do what God was calling him to do is up for debate.
- Maybe he felt that he already tried that when he murdered the Egyptian years ago and felt like a failure.
- Maybe he liked how his life was and didn’t want to make a change.
Whatever his reason for being apprehensive, God spoke to every objection with empowerment.
Here’s a summary of the conversation taken from Exodus 3 and 4.
God: “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come to rescue them...So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Moses: “Who am I that I should go?”
God: “I will be with you…”
Moses: “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’…”
God: “I am who I am... ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Moses: “What if they do not believe me or listen to me.”
God gives Moses multiple signs to perform to convince them.
Then Moses’ insecurity leads him to lie.
Consider what Moses said vs. Stephen’s words in Acts 7.
- Moses: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
- Stephen: Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
Still, God responds with grace redirecting Moses’ attention to where the power is found. “Who gave human beings their mouths?... Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you and teach you what to say.”
Moses clung to his insecurity refusing obedience with, “Please send someone else.”
This caused God to become angry with Moses.
But still, because of who God is, he provided Moses with the help of his brother Aaron.
God spoke grace and provision to the insecurity of Moses.
How God Spoke to Gideon’s Insecurity
Gideon was insecure before God showed up asking him to do something. Having lived oppressed by the Midianites for seven years, he felt that God had abandoned them.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon he was hiding and threshing wheat. Here’s a summary of the conversation taken from Judges 6 and 7.
The Angel of the LORD: ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’”
Gideon: “If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?... The LORD has abandoned us.”
The LORD: “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
Gideon: “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
The LORD: “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.’”
Gideon is intrigued but insecure that it’s actually God talking with him and prepares a meal offering as a test.
The LORD consumes the offering with fire convincing Gideon he’s really God. But instead of gaining confidence, Gideon responds with fear. The LORD calms him saying, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”
A relieved Gideon builds an altar and names it The Lord Is Peace. This gives Gideon the confidence to follow the Lord’s instructions to destroy the altars of Baal.
The next day, the enemies of Israel joined forces. “Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them.”
Gideon’s insecurity returns. He checks with God to make sure this is the plan using a fleece. Twice he did this, and twice God confirmed. After this, the Lord gave Gideon other instructions that he followed. With his security rooted in God, Gideon became a mighty warrior delivering his people.
God spoke courage and instruction to the insecurity of Gideon.
How God Spoke to Abraham’s Insecurity
The Bible says in Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, Romans 4:22, and Galatians 3:6 that Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
That may lead you to believe that Abraham had no insecurity. However, Abraham is much more relatable than you may understand.
There are a number of things to take notice of.
- God spoke his promise to Abram seven times before Isaac was born.
- It was after the third time that the scriptures record Abram’s faith being credited as righteousness.
- Abraham was apprehensive and uncertain at times, yet he obeyed whatever God told him to do.
- God had spoken to Abram four times when his insecurity, as well as Sarai’s, led them to lean on their own understanding resulting in the birth of Ishmael.
- Every time God spoke the promise to Abram, he gave him another thing to hold onto. He kept going until Abraham was fully persuaded.
God spoke promise and vision to Abraham’s insecurity.
Lack of Security Is Lack of Relational Trust
Wherever or however, you find yourself insecure be encouraged. You can grow in your relationship with the Lord, and he will help you.
Like God convinced Abraham, we can feed our hearts on the promises of God allowing him to convince us.
Like God helped Moses, Gideon, and Abraham, trust him, you have the Holy Spirit who is called the Helper to help you.
Here are a few of the many promises you can feed on.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3).
There is no fear in love…but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! (1 John 4:18).
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7).
No matter what your reason for feeling insecure, God will speak what you need to help you trust him.
For further reading:
Why Did God Withhold from His Most Faithful?
Why Is it Important to Study the Various Characters in the Bible?
Does My Help Really Come from the Lord?
What Did God Mean When He Said, ‘I Am Who I Am’?
How Can I Trust the Lord with All My Heart?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/finwal
Danielle Bernock is an international, award-winning author, coach, and speaker who helps people embrace their value and heal their souls through the power of the love of God. She’s written Emerging With Wings, A Bird Named Payn, Love’s Manifesto, Because You Matter, and hosts the Victorious Souls Podcast. A long-time follower of Christ, Danielle lives with her husband in Michigan near her adult children and grandchildren. For more information or to connect with Danielle https://www.daniellebernock.com/
