I heard a story once by the brother a famous Bible teacher. He said that him and his siblings grew up in a dysfunctional home… a ton of neglect and abuse. As he sat in church with his sister, he looked at the world and thought, “I can find what I need there.” But his sister looked at the cross and said, “I know I can find what I need there.” And they both went in opposite directions, but his sister fared so much better than him. She became a Bible teacher and he became an alcoholic… after losing everything… his wife, his daughter, his job, he was going to take his own life. But God had other plans. Instead of waking up in heaven, he woke up in a jail cell. In that moment, he turned to Jesus and found everything he needed. He now preaches the gospel.
Here’s the thing… the world cannot offer us security, only Jesus can. Yet, there are many Christians who are VERY insecure. Even the strongest of Christians. Insecurity can be passed to us through the generational line, can develop through a childhood trauma, like losing a parent, or some sort of abuse… verbal, physical, mental, sexual. Or it may come from feelings of inferiority growing up. And often, Christians don’t even know they struggle with insecurity. Insecurity is heavily in my family line.
Let’s nail it down a little… people who are insecure fall apart when they suffer loss… a loved one, a job, a position, a place of security. People who are insecure look for affirmation from others and they hang onto every compliment that comes their way. People who are insecure are easily offended and they get upset when friends get together and they’re not invited. People who are insecure dwell on things that are said about them… they perceive things that aren’t true, they think everyone is talking about them, and they focus on people’s failures because it makes them feel good about themselves. People who are insecure are easy targets for the manipulator, the abuser, the controller. They may think they’re loved, but in reality, they are being controlled.
I wonder if the writer of Psalm 91 knew insecurity first-hand. He finally came to the place where he could confidently say that God, and God alone, was his security. Here’s the thing… God has given us security, but the way to find it is by “living in the shelter of the Most High” (Psalm 91:1). The writer then says that when we do this, “we find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). To live means to dwell, abide. To make His presence your home. Because it’s here where He will cover us with His feathers and shelter us with his wings (Psalm 91:4). I love that he says, “His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (Psalm 91:4). When insecurity is conquered, we walk in greater joy and peace. We fare so much better. Let’s dwell in His presence, my friends.