Security

Romans 8:28 NLT

[28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Insecurity, the need to be first and the need to get ahead in life has been in an issue since the beginning of human existence on this earth it seems. We saw competition in Genesis 25: 

Genesis 25:23-26 NLT

[23] And the LORD told her, "The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son." [24] And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins! [25] The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau. [26] Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau's heel. So they named him Jacob.

Jacob's need to be first caused him a lot of turmoil and although he eventually got the blessing he spent 21 years running. You have to ask yourself is wanting what someone else has or "Keeping up with the Jones's" worth it. Success comes with a price, it will cost you some things. People usually don't just wake up successful and most work hard for what they have obtained materially. My definition of success is not material because there are many with a lot of material but no depth or security. Material possession doesn't define wealth in my opinion. When I think of wealth I think of security, no stress or having to struggle to make ends meet. I think of wealth as a state of WHOLENESS not only financially but when you're wealthy there's a peace you have about your life in general and you're secure overall. 

In our relationship with Jesus we should feel secure, we should feel like he has everything that concerns us under control because he does! Insecurity is especially a common trait amongst woman and being an African American woman I've known and saw first hand a whole other side of it. Competition, jealousy and pettiness kill friendships, break up families and cause many to lose out on what God really has for them. There are many ways that you can tell if a person struggles with insecurity and here is a list I compiled:

1. Insecure people don't compliment or uplift other individuals, they instead find negative traits to point out or they find ways to turn a "positive" into a "negative. *Example: She's so pretty, I love her smile. *PLOT TWIST FROM THE INSECURE* She's funny looking, I don't think she's that cute and her teeth are crooked.

2. Insecure people find it extremely hard to be around those who have more than them or around those who may be at another level in life. *Example: He (She) has a beautiful home and a brand new car! It's very nice. *PLOT TWIST FROM THE INSECURE* The house isn't that big... And the car isn't the newest model, I mean if it were me I'd have went ahead and got the newest model.

3. Insecure people are constantly manipulating, scheming or plotting on how to achieve what others have without real effort. They don't think about the hard work some may have put in, the sacrifices they may have made all they see is the highlight reel.

I use to be a very insecure person and because of that I go out of my way to uplift, to compliment and encourage people. I genuinely get happy when I see other people succeeding, overcoming and winning in life. That doesn't mean that I don't have "when is it my turn" type of moments it just means that I'm aware and when those feelings come up an immediately start reminding myself of who I AM! 

Romans 8:37-39 NLT

[37] No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Single women why be jealous of a woman who is married? Your time will come and just as single women have insecurities married women do too. They're not exempt from life's struggles or pain. There are married women who sometimes find themselves remembering and wishing that they had their single years back so chill! Each season has its purpose and oftentimes we can't see that purpose while we are in it but God takes us through them for a reason. Insecurity breeds such an ugly spirit, causes us to be ungrateful, hateful and just plain evil at times. We make comparisons, assumptions about people we barely know off of what we've heard or maybe saw from a distance. I'm so glad that God looks at the heart and doesn't judge on the outer because I don't own any Gucci or the newest of much of anything. It has to be tiring to constantly compete with people, work countless hours just have money to spend on material items that will someday fade away. I'd much rather focus on Christ, I'd much rather focus on his plan for me. Now this isn't a post to bash material things or say that God doesn't want us to have nice things (I know how people to the extreme and take things out of context) but he doesn't want us to worship material or to build our life upon things. When we die those things don't come with us so let's do an INNER SELFIE right now: God you see our hearts, God you see right to the very core of our being and you see our selfishness, our lust and our greed. God you see us day in and day out competing for things, positions and titles. Your word says in Matthew 20:16 NLT [16] "So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last."

Jesus we are so grateful for your love, your Grace and mercy! Forgive us God for putting material before you, for putting people before you! We will seek you, trust you and put nothing before you. Amen

Cdj❤️