Identifying Insecurity: 3 Ways to Cultivate More Confidence Through Intentional Soul CareÖrnek

Strategy 1: Crush Comparison

Have you ever seen a little girl who gets to dress herself for the first time? Although we can't help but laugh when we see how the tutu, the cape, the boots, and the variety of patterns clash, we also silently admire the confidence she exudes. It's not until someone tells her she can't dress that way does she begin to compare herself to others and conform to their expectations.

If we're honest, we've all been that little girl. When we shared our hopes and dreams only to experience rejection, that was when we began to grow quiet and question ourselves.

Hebrews 10:35 tells us not to throw away our confidence because it will be richly rewarded. This beautiful challenge follows a reminder to the Hebrews to think back to the early days of their lives as new believers. The writer encouraged them to remember how faithful they'd been to Jesus, and I want to do the same for us today.

Let's start honoring that little girl deep within us, buried beneath the comparisons because she's still dreaming. Let's glean from our younger selves who have yet to learn how to compare themselves with others. May we remember the enthusiasm we felt when Jesus first filled our hearts. We'll need both memories to help us run ahead, choosing to recognize that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God has given us a dream.

It's time to crush the comparisons that have kept us from God's best as we remember that we were created for His glory. He delights in us.

Journal

Your life has been created to compliment God and give Him glory. You make Him look good. Ask God what He loves about you and journal about the beautiful things unique to your personality.

Dream Again

Write down some of those early dreams you had as a new believer. How have they changed? How have they remained the same? Are there any that God is renewing in your heart?

Let's Pray

Heavenly Father, I repent of my choice to accept other people's insecurities as my own. Renew my mind, Lord Jesus, and help me recognize everything tearing away at my confidence. Distance me from anything that causes me to question how much You love me. I choose to believe what You see in me. In Jesus' name, amen.