The Upside to Insecurity
A few weeks ago, I was in Africa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), getting to experience our incredible work with Saving Moses. This country has been through seismic changes in the recent decades and the eastern part of the country is continually wracked by violence, instability, and dozens of roaming militias who often inflict needless death and destruction. The word I heard most often during my time there was insecurity.
“Due to regional insecurity, the family had to relocate to some place that was safer.”
“This baby is severely malnourished since his family was living in the forests from the insecurity in his home village.”
“This mother had to give birth in an open field because of insecurity around her home.”
I kept hearing the word, “insecure” and I started thinking about insecurity and the different ways that it’s used. In the DRC, it’s associated with the results of roaming militia, violence, pain, hunger, disease, and even death. In America, we often use the word “insecure” to describe a person’s mental condition or perspective in feeling less-than or uncomfortable in a situation or group of people. A person could feel insecure in a variety of ways that could be related to their clothing, intelligence, wealth, upbringing, etc. Truth be told, every human experiences insecurity in a variety of ways.
So what’s the upside to insecurity? In thinking about this, we would be wise to consider if the insecurity we’re experiencing is internal, external, or both. Is the insecurity happening because of things around us, like a neighborhood trauma, a school crisis, or something environmental? Are we feeling insecure because of something inside of us, like feeling not as pretty, not as smart, not as personable, not as athletic, etc.? Locating the reason(s) for the insecurity can be helpful.
After figuring out the location for the insecurity, then we would be wise to bring that struggle to Jesus in prayer. There is much to be said for the power of prayer to navigate insecurity of all types, both internal and external. Indeed, consider what Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In these verses, we see that we can make an exchange upgrade. In this exchange, we can bring our worries, anxieties, and insecurities to God in prayer. From doing this, we can let go of the struggles and receive God’s peace in exchange. When we receive God’s peace, this can guard our hearts and minds, shielding and protecting us from insecurity and anxiety. Having internal peace is a priceless gift that Jesus offers us!
If we get to choose between insecurity and God’s peace, let’s actively recognize such opportunities to make this healthy trade off.