Overcoming your fears

Let’s look at two common fears: 1) Fear of not being good enough. It’s not about being as good as others; it’s about being yourself! Stop comparing yourself to other people and spend time discovering your God-given strengths. You were born for a purpose, and that purpose may be unlike anything you’ve ever encountered. 2) Fear of not being accepted. This is one of the greatest sources of loneliness in society today. And the Internet hasn’t solved the problem because, deep down, we all long for intimacy, not information. You’d be surprised how many people go home to an empty flat, eat dinner for one, watch television, and climb into bed alone. Even when surrounded by a crowd, we still feel isolated – like an island in the middle of the sea. But, it doesn’t have to be that way – particularly if you’re a member of God’s redeemed family. Reaching out and accepting other family members is key to being accepted. When you allow them into your private world, you’ll find they welcome you into theirs. Take a look at your life today. Nobody’s looking, and the person who’ll benefit most from it is you! Insecure people can be the most difficult to reach because they’re desperate to hide what they perceive as inadequacies and failures. If you need the help of a professional counsellor, doctor, or pastor, reach out and get it! You owe it to yourself! Rise up today and say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid of rejection or of not being good enough.’

Prayer Point

Father, You accept and love me just as I am, and I’m so thankful for that. I pray that I would look for nobody’s approval but Yours and that You would remove all my fears of not being accepted by others. Please give me the courage to reach out when I need help, and prompt me to also be a listening ear for others struggling with insecurities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Cooke, Phil, Jolt! (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2011), 113, 115.