So Long Insecurity Discussion - Week Two
"May the LORD answer you when you are in trouble; may the God of Jacob make you secure!" (Psalm 20:1 NET) What a wonderful time this week in God's Word and in our book study together. I don't know about you, but I used my highlighter a lot this week! So much of what Beth Moore wrote about this week resonated with my spirit. Let's get right to our homework and see what God revealed to our hearts this week.
We were to read Chapters 3 and 4 of "So Long Insecurity," and answer the following questions:
1. Based on Chapter Three, what tends to be your own "Prominent False Positive"? (pg. 38)
2. What is the challenge stated at the very end of Chapter Three? (pg. 43)
3. Based on Chapter Four, what Biblical figure (or statement about him/her) resonated with you most and why?
My answers to the above questions are the following:
1) I have numerous false positives in my life, but probably the two most prominent false positives, at this stage in my life, would be "Recapturing youthfulness and Beauty." I feel as though I am too young to be an "Empty nester." (I absolutely despise that word) Most couples that are the same age as my husband and I still have small children at home. Because we got married young, had our baby young and were unable to have any more children, then we find ourselves in this new phase of life much earlier than we had planned. It makes me feel insecure in my circles. I feel as though I've suddenly been thrown into an "older" group of people. Also, at this phase in life, you begin to reevaluate all that you have been to this point. You think of things that you wish you had done differently or that you could do over and do better. I feel as though I am looking older as well. I sure wish this didn't bother me so much! I must say that I am one of those that often looks in the mirror and says, "Bless your heart!" I am constantly trying new facial creams, anti wrinkle serums and new makeup and hairstyles to help to improve my looks and make me look younger! I wish it didn't bother me, but unfortunately I cannot seem to get past this. The funny thing is that I have felt this way even since I was a much younger person.
2) "This, beloved, is our challenge. To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship. When we allow God's truth to eclipse every false positive and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in His glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are. And the beauty of the LORD will be upon us!"
3) I believe that I most resonated with Moses when he said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Being a pastor's wife, often forces me to be in situations that I feel are beyond my capability and/or beyond my knowlege level. I long to know Christ and His Word more and I don't want to do anything that would hinder others spiritually. I have never felt as though I was capable of filling the "shoes" of a pastor's wife. I was beginning to get victory in this area of my life, until the last couple of years when my husband and I received much criticism. This made me "retreat," so to speak, and made me want to go into hiding. Probably one of the most hurtful things that I heard was that my husband and I began to think that the ministry was "all about us!" These words were so wounding because we had tried so hard to make it known that it was all about GOD! Nothing could have been farther from the truth, however when one hears criticism, it should be evaluated. We (my husband and I) have searched our hearts to see if there was any truth to what was said.We have always wanted it to be clear that anything that comes from a ministry that we are apart of is because of GOD and not us! I must admit that I took this criticism very personally and have felt as though I never wanted to try again. I know now that this stems from a deep rooted insecurity of feeling like someone else could do it better and like I was not capable of doing what the Lord called me to do.
Okay, now it's your turn. You can answer your questions in the comment section below. If this is too personal, please do not feel any pressure to answer. I do hope that you will write out or journal your answers somewhere though. This helps to bring reality to the issue and is also critical in our journey to security. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for reading with me and staying in God's Word. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I love each of you so very much! You are in my prayers!
Remember, "Human flesh and blood have no weakness so strong that God's strength is made weak. He's got what we need. It's up to us whether or not we're going to let the worst of us get the best of us!" (pg. 58 - So Long Insecurity)
Clinging to the strength of the LORD,
Elisabeth
We were to read Chapters 3 and 4 of "So Long Insecurity," and answer the following questions:
1. Based on Chapter Three, what tends to be your own "Prominent False Positive"? (pg. 38)
2. What is the challenge stated at the very end of Chapter Three? (pg. 43)
3. Based on Chapter Four, what Biblical figure (or statement about him/her) resonated with you most and why?
My answers to the above questions are the following:
1) I have numerous false positives in my life, but probably the two most prominent false positives, at this stage in my life, would be "Recapturing youthfulness and Beauty." I feel as though I am too young to be an "Empty nester." (I absolutely despise that word) Most couples that are the same age as my husband and I still have small children at home. Because we got married young, had our baby young and were unable to have any more children, then we find ourselves in this new phase of life much earlier than we had planned. It makes me feel insecure in my circles. I feel as though I've suddenly been thrown into an "older" group of people. Also, at this phase in life, you begin to reevaluate all that you have been to this point. You think of things that you wish you had done differently or that you could do over and do better. I feel as though I am looking older as well. I sure wish this didn't bother me so much! I must say that I am one of those that often looks in the mirror and says, "Bless your heart!" I am constantly trying new facial creams, anti wrinkle serums and new makeup and hairstyles to help to improve my looks and make me look younger! I wish it didn't bother me, but unfortunately I cannot seem to get past this. The funny thing is that I have felt this way even since I was a much younger person.
2) "This, beloved, is our challenge. To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship. When we allow God's truth to eclipse every false positive and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in His glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are. And the beauty of the LORD will be upon us!"
3) I believe that I most resonated with Moses when he said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Being a pastor's wife, often forces me to be in situations that I feel are beyond my capability and/or beyond my knowlege level. I long to know Christ and His Word more and I don't want to do anything that would hinder others spiritually. I have never felt as though I was capable of filling the "shoes" of a pastor's wife. I was beginning to get victory in this area of my life, until the last couple of years when my husband and I received much criticism. This made me "retreat," so to speak, and made me want to go into hiding. Probably one of the most hurtful things that I heard was that my husband and I began to think that the ministry was "all about us!" These words were so wounding because we had tried so hard to make it known that it was all about GOD! Nothing could have been farther from the truth, however when one hears criticism, it should be evaluated. We (my husband and I) have searched our hearts to see if there was any truth to what was said.We have always wanted it to be clear that anything that comes from a ministry that we are apart of is because of GOD and not us! I must admit that I took this criticism very personally and have felt as though I never wanted to try again. I know now that this stems from a deep rooted insecurity of feeling like someone else could do it better and like I was not capable of doing what the Lord called me to do.
Okay, now it's your turn. You can answer your questions in the comment section below. If this is too personal, please do not feel any pressure to answer. I do hope that you will write out or journal your answers somewhere though. This helps to bring reality to the issue and is also critical in our journey to security. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for reading with me and staying in God's Word. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I love each of you so very much! You are in my prayers!
Remember, "Human flesh and blood have no weakness so strong that God's strength is made weak. He's got what we need. It's up to us whether or not we're going to let the worst of us get the best of us!" (pg. 58 - So Long Insecurity)
Clinging to the strength of the LORD,
Elisabeth
2 Response to So Long Insecurity Discussion - Week Two
Well i know that i am kind of behind. but i wanted to try to post my answers.
1) My false positives, are a couple of different things. Of course my appearance bothers me like most women. i see my self aging i think quicker than normal. because of having a houseful all the time between kids and their friends, animals, other family. i feel bet down sometimes, so it seems harder to feel like i look my age, i have seemed to cross over the line of looking younger than my age to looking older. i would like to just be happy with the skin i am in.
The other thing would be, i watch women that can just pop right in and always know what to say and just seems to have no problem talking out to others, unless it is just a really heartfelt knowing its God, then i generally keep my mouth shut. there are times i think its wisdom to not say anything, but then there are times i wish i could just be confident enough to just speak out and not worry about it. of course using Gods wisdom. i feel i miss out a lot of times because i don't engage in conversations as much as i should. i am always afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Tammy,
Thank you so much for posting! First of all, I want you to know that you are BEAUTIFUL inside and out!! :) Also, know that you are not alone in your answers. I feel these same feelings, as I believe most women do. Also, I am going to pray for a renewed confidence from the LORD for you. One of my favorite verses that I always pray before I have to speak amongst a group of women is Isaiah 51:16. It says, "I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand. ." How comforting to know that the Lord will put His Words in our mouths. I also love Psalm 81:10 that says, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it." When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us and ask Him for wisdom, He does not fail us. We can open our mouths with confidence and HE will fill them! Praise GOD! Isn't that an awesome promise? We don't have to worry, HE will give us His Words. I love you Tammy and I am praying for you. I am so thankful that you have joined us in this study! God has great things ahead for you!!
Love you!
Elisabeth
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