peace . love . joy

Insecurities: we all have them & we all have to deal with them.

Each of us are made differently, possessing different levels of various skills, some of us are better at some things, and some of us are better at some other things. That's probably a given. And there's nothing wrong with that. Each of us are born with different aptitudes and inclinations, each of us are presented different opportunites of varying intensities to hone our proficiencies and capabilities, and each of us have different potential scales of different maxx levels or excellency limits. It's okay.

The problem comes when it gets to us so much that it isn't okay anymore. We begin to think thoughts that throw us headlong into a depressing kamikaze (ie. self-destruct) spiral. "Don't ask me. Ask Him\Her; (s)he's better than me", "(s)he's better at this than I am; my position is in jeopardy", "Does he really like me? It can't be. I think he likes her more", "how come I can't get a boy\girlfriend? Is something wrong with me?", etc. Sound familiar?

If you've had bouts of insecurity, you're not alone, honey, I'm right there with you.

But not only are insecurities a catapult of massive proportions, hurling gigantuan projectiles at us, it has a concievable chance of leading us to break Commandment numero diez, "thou shalt not covet... anything that belongs to your neighbour" (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21). Jealousy and envy at another's talent and accomplishments should never be allowed to take root for it could bring about disastrous consequences. If movies were anything to go by, then meanness, backstabbing and hurtful remarks, disunity would be in the forseeable future.

Insecurity ain't good, and we all know that.
But somehow, we can't seem to shake it.

I've been meaning to write about this for the longest of times, but I just never could find the answer, or never was satisfied with what I had learnt, most likely because I didn't quite understand what it means to "have confidence in God".

I now do with the help and blessing of Robert J. Morgan and Psalm 27.

Morgan summed up his ideas in the "Cure for Insecurity" with the repetitive use of a single phrase ONE THING. And that spurred me onto mine own investigations into its usage as chronicled in the Bible.

That particular phrase isn't used much, methinks it is precisely because of its exclusivist nature: it is serious business to stop and proclaim that only one thing matters or is required. Much thought must have been put into the pre-exclamation phase.

The more notable times it was used was when Jesus bade the rich young man to sell all he has and give to the poor, that he shall have treasure in heaven, and to go, follow Him, for that was the one thing he lacked (Mark 10:17-22), and to Martha, teaching her that only one thing is necessary: that which Mary has chosen (Luke 10:38-42). Paul too uttered that phrase, saying it is but one thing he does: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, pressing on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called him heavenward in Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).

So are there many one things?
Or just one?
Is the antidote for insecurity a whole array of prescriptive syrups and tablets?
Or just a single pill?

Psalm 27 starts off on a high, somewhat boastful and cocky, rather confident tone:
(the paragraphs beginning with the big green "one thing"s are Morgan's)

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

ONE THING I KNOW the LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

ONE THING I DESIRE that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

And it is here, at the junction between verses 6 and 7, that the tone of the psalm shifts. All of a sudden, it is as though David remembers moments of weakness, fits of doubt flit here and there in his mind... insecurities... So he cries:

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

ONE THING I NEED hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

ONE THING I'LL DO I will stay confident of this — that I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

And that is how David deals with his insecurities.

The cure is a single PILL:

Pray, commune with God always, regardless.
Remember the Great I AM, His statutes, His character, His works.
Look where you are headed, keep in mind your purpose.
Not forgetting to Live as befits who you are: a servant and child, a soldier and friend of the Most High King.

Nowhere in the psalm does David dwell on that which he lacks. Nowhere does he dwell on his predicaments.
Instead, his words betray a trust, a reliance, a relationship with an entity who loves and cares as much as He judges and forgives.

Only one thing is needed.
Only one is required.
Only one is crucial.

And if that one thing is not present, we will most likely be plagued by insecurities, like locusts to a field.

The cure to insecurity is to have confidence in God.

And to have confidence in God is

ONE THING:

To abide in God Almighty.