I went to a blogging conference last year. Prior to that weekend, I hadn’t met any of my blog peeps in-person. And let me tell you, underneath all the fun and laughs and coffee, I battled a dose of insecurity before and during the conference. (Masked well in the Smilebooth.)
(Stacey Thacker, Katie Orr, and me.)
Thinking on that wrestling I did with insecurity honestly makes me mad — at myself, at satan, at…whoever else I can point the finger. Because Jesus didn’t die so that we would live a doubtful, self-focused existence.
He came and died and defeated sin so that we would find all security in Him. He places His Spirit within us so that we would walk these short days bold and sure, regardless of what we own and regardless of what others think.
Ugh. Insecurity. I picture a wolf disguised as a frail, little old lady. It seems meek and inoffensive at first glance, but in actuality it destroys us from the inside out. Therefore it must die.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…
Colossians 3:5
I’m going to that same conference again this week. Woo to the hoo, Allume girls! But I definitely don’t want to waste time with insecurity while I’m there. So here are a few things I’m choosing to remember.
God’s got awesome, eternal things on today’s agenda.
Wherever today takes you or me, He goes before us. And He’s always working. Whether at a conference or in the grocery store, He has eternal things set aside for you and I to do. He has carved divine appointments into today. We just have to follow His lead — eyes on Him instead of consumed with us — and confidently walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Your Daddy is King. That’s royalty.
In Christ, we’re daughters of the King. We have a royal inheritance. Our Daddy rules. Hang out with those thoughts for a while and insecurity has to bow.
Nearly every other woman in the room battles insecurity on some level.
We’re not alone. That “perfect” woman who always seems to say the “perfect” witty thing at the “perfect” moment, more often than not struggles with insecurity. And remembering that encourages me. (Maybe because misery loves company.) Instead of comparing, let’s pray for our sisters.
Girlfriend, you have some cuteness goin’ on.
I know this seems so superficial, but ladies, there’s something woven deep in the fabric of a woman that wants to be named “beautiful.” And I honestly believe that each of us are beauty. Not only internally because of Him, but externally because God designed us. And He does amazing things. Granted I struggle to believe it at times, because my eyes fall down to this planet and I’m tempted to compare myself. But I’m just sayin’, you have some cuteness, girlfriend.
God made each of us unique. And He did so on purpose. We’ll bring the greatest blessing upon ourselves, and pour out the greatest blessing on each other, when we stop comparing and start living confident in what He says about us.
Fill me, Lord…
How have you battled with insecurity?
What lies have you believed?
What truths can you meditate upon to “put to death” that insecurity?
My fav song/verse “God has not given me a spirit of fear for he has given me a spirit of power and of love and of sound mind!” Go get ’em girls!
Love that verse!
This totally spoke to me. I had no idea you felt this way. You seemed totally “with it.” I didn’t go to the smile booth because I didn’t know ANY.ONE. and worse than that, no one knew me. Even as a raging extrovert, I had to hide out in my room a few times to wallow. Thinking about this year, I recall that GOD knows us. It is HIM I am taking to the conference, HIM I am advocating, HIM I am promoting, HIM I am ministering through, and HIM that I represent. Not myself. When I take away my woe-is-me shrinking violet, I realize we’ve got just 2.5 short days to confidently mobilize with our sisters to DO THIS THING. That’s exciting! PS: Want to do the smile booth with me?
Umm, yes! We better! Can’t wait to see you, friend.
This was so me last year. Seriously. I did the smile booth…with my cousin. Love her to death, and bless her for wanting to be seen with me but i wallowed in it more than once last year. No one knew me, no one will still probably know me this year as my blog is barely off the ground and hasn’t even had an official launch.. BUT at least this year I know what to expect. I’m there to glorify God and gain knowledge…anything else is a bonus. 🙂 I had NO idea either of you were like that last year.
And Lara…really…I could have written this…but I can’t believe you did! Just goes to show how many people are really feeling the same thing. You are amazing and I felt so blessed to meet you last year! Can’t wait to see you again this year!
I am borrowing all of your reasons. Packing them in my purse, in my pocket, stamping them on my wrist and stuffing it in my suitcase. I am royalty…i remind myself of that all the time but not this time. THANK YOU! Looking forward to meeting you:)
I came back to read this again today. We could talk about this for such a long time. I battle this in my very new marriage and with work. Like, what am I doing?! And why won’t they give me a chance to do something else?! Oh my. We shall speak on that later. Have fun at your conference!
I came back to read this again today. We could talk about this for such a long time. I battle this in my very new marriage and with work. Like, what am I doing?! And why won’t they give me a chance to do something else?! Oh my. We shall speak on that later. Have fun at your conference!
I am facing so many insecurities by coming to Allume this year…blog not good enough, business cards not professional enough, personality not outgoing enough. But nonetheless, I know God has me here for a reason and I am excited and open to receive whatever He has for me this week. I look forward to connecting with you as I have already met your sweet roommate Katie!