Feel Like You Don’t Fit in? Four Empowering Scriptures on Insecurity

The Lord tenderly reminded me that my unique characteristics are the precise gifts he wants to use to fulfill his purpose through me. 

Posted on

Most of us deal with insecurity from time to time.  This week, let’s take a few minutes to explore the ways comparison keeps us from fulfilling our God-given assignments and uncover four powerful Scriptures on insecurity.

Splinters of gold glisten on the road as sunrise peers through the swaying cornstalks. I jog through the spattered light, and it dizzies me like a flashing strobe light. I’m suddenly 13 again—trying to fit in at a junior high dance as the lights flash and the little boys sidle up toward the dancing throng of girls.  It’s funny how these memories come back at the most surprising times.

In an instant, all the insecurities of junior high flood my mind, and I remind myself of what is true: God has not called me to fit in with the crowd.  Instead, he calls me to carry his love to the world. Instead of looking for someone to make me feel secure and included, he calls me to include, love, and welcome others.

 

Do This Instead of Comparing . . .

A few years ago, I went to a conference for women who feel called to write and speak.  I spent the first morning of the conference comparing myself to the other women and feeling insecure.  The other women all seemed to have great hair, cute outfits, thriving ministries, and a God-given vision for their futures.

Meanwhile, my hair was wild with humidity-induced curls, my outfit felt frumpy, my ministry was barely off the ground, and I had no clue of where God was leading me as I looked to the future.  Comparison was killing me, and I felt like I didn’t measure up.

Finally, after feeling awkward and insecure for a few hours, I took a long walk on a forested trail behind the hotel where the conference was being held.  I asked God to align my heart with his heart as I prepared to return to the room with the beautiful and talented women.

In response, the Lord tenderly reminded me that my unique characteristics are the precise gifts he wants to use to fulfill his purpose through me.  He wants to use my introversion to reach the shy women of the world.  God designed me to feel most at home in the woods, and he wants to use my love of nature to inspire others to pursue replenishing passions as well.  He wants to use every quirk and every weakness to help other women embrace their quirks and weaknesses as well.

When I returned to the conference room, I let the women see the real me. Instead of comparing myself to others, I offered the gift of my authentic self.  I opened up about my insecurities, talked about my doubts, and looked for women to love and encourage.

 

Comparison Leaves No Room for Love

The response was beautiful.  Every time I offered the gift of my true self, other women revealed their hearts as well.  Instead of comparing, we were set free to love and uplift one another.

God wants you to hold your head high and show the world your true self—without comparing yourself to others.  The next time you feel insecure, remind yourself that the parts of you that make you unique are the precise parts God wants to use to fulfill his purpose through you.

Cling to the following Scriptures as well. Speak these over your life when you feel the urge to compare yourself to others.

 

Scriptures on Insecurity:

1. “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

2. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

3. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

4. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18

 

After reading these Scriptures on insecurity, take a moment to reflect:

How often do you compare yourself to others or compete with others?  How would your life be different if you were set free from the comparison trap forever?

Now, name a few of the traits that make you feel unique.  In what ways might God want to use these unique parts of you to minister to others?

Ask God to show you one way you could bless someone through one of your unique characteristics today.  You might invite a friend to join you as you share a hobby, open up to someone who is struggling by sharing a weakness in your life, use your compassionate heart to write a thoughtful note to a loved one, or embrace your hospitable spirit by inviting neighbors to your house for dinner.  Instead of focusing on what you lack, focus on what you can offer to the world around you. 

 

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Stacey Pardoe

Featured Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 


Has God called you to write a book?
Kingdom Winds welcomes the opportunity to review your manuscript for publication.
 
Click to learn more about Kingdom Winds Publishing and submit your manuscript for review.
The views and opinions expressed by Kingdom Winds Collective Members, authors, and contributors are their own and do not represent the views of Kingdom Winds LLC.

About the Author

Stacey Pardoe is a Kingdom Winds Contributor. Stacey's hope is that her words will inspire you to seek God in the midst of your ordinary moments and encounter his love in deeper ways.