Overcoming insecurity to have peace
Notes
Transcript
Achieving Peace by overcoming insecurity
Achieving Peace by overcoming insecurity
We all experience fear every day, I am not talking about the traumatic form of fear that is serious and important; but the casual that creeps up in our mind that make you concerned with what others think about you. it is the fear of not being accepted by other and just wanting to fit in. it is the fear that prays on all our insecurities and limits of from sharing the good news of the gospel and living in the peace of the LORD.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians encourages them to have Joy and gives them practical ways to overcome their insecurity and find the peace of God.
Philippians 4
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Paul reminds us what we believe as Christians and a key element of our joy is that the Lord Jesus Christ has already won the victory of the grave and is alive and coming.
When we worry Pray to god telling him all things especially the things that you are concerned with at that very moment. God doesn’t care that you have any weakness or short comings he wants you to confide in him about these things so he can help you overcome them.
Our insecurities start with thoughts and affect the heart; tell these things to God, it may involve tears, anger, or disgust, but he is present and waiting, his peace will guard you when you acknowledge your insecurities.
the last step Paul gives us is what we should think about in our personal lives truth, honor, right living, purity, love, and admirable. Think about a memory bank of sorts, imagine a trophy case of awards you have achieved with recognition that all victories we have come from God because he made you. meaning everything in you matters to God because he placed it there and every challenge you have in life becomes a trophy in your story that can be used to give glory to God. for example:
you woke up today and got out of bed. Trophy
you have a learning disability but you still go to class and try. Trophy
you had the opportunity to lie and stretch the truth to make yourself look good but you were honest. Trophy
any complement you receive is a trophy in you that others see. The key is to start small and grow acknowledging God in all of it.
there will still be times when we will worry and have anxiety in our lives when we have a big test or have to make big decisions. but we can rest in the peace of God knowing that we are doing his will by being a witness.
Apply it
Apply it
on a sheet of paper write down a list of the things that make you anxious or insecure sticking mainly to ones that prevent you from being a witness or inviting people to first priority or church. this paper is between you and God be honest with yourself. The coaches will help you dispose of them afterwards to keep confidence, they will also be around to discuss them with you if you need.
now write across them “His peace will Guard my heart and mind”
now make a list of your Trophies remember to start small and get bigger. this can be private or shared but remember any victory that is at the expence of others is not a victory it sin. If you need help, ask. The catch is this list must be longer than the first.
Keep this list and add to it and continue this practice when peace is needed
Wrap up
Wrap up
have someone close in prayer for your group and pray that you all would look for ways to be a witness to those you have influence with.