Be Secure - Martin Wiles

For I can do everything with the help of Christ, who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13 NLT

Donned in my walking attire, I looked at my wife and said, “Anyone who can wear this is secure in themselves.”

For years, I’ve walked to keep off the extra pounds. But one day, when I dressed in the clothes I intended to wear while walking, my wife took one look and said, “That’s a hot mess.”

My pants had stripes, and my jacket had checks. I topped off my outfit with a striped Fedora hat. I really didn’t care what anyone else thought about my outfit—but that hasn’t always been true.

When I was a young lad, my appearance caused me great insecurity. Somewhere along the line, I stopped caring what others thought and became secure in my identity.

Paul had many reasons to be insecure after choosing to follow Christ. He was hounded frequently by unbelievers who would have loved nothing better than to destroy his ministry. The multiple trials he faced also added to his precarious situation. But he was confident.

As followers of Christ, we can be secure in our identity. The Bible calls us saints. The last time I checked, I was far from sainthood, but that’s my position in Christ. When we trust Christ as our Savior and receive his forgiveness, we trade in the label of “sinner.” Though we still sin, it’s not the pattern of our lives, nor does it have to be. The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live above sin regularly.

As believers, we can also be secure in our life situations. Paul experienced good times and bad times. He established many churches and witnessed thousands trust Christ as their Savior, but he also experienced patience-trying and life-threatening situations. Yet he was secure. In another place, he wrote, I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. Learning that lesson isn’t easy or quick, but when we’ve mastered it, unpleasant situations won’t cause us to feel insecure.

Further, as God’s child, we can be secure in our gifts. God gives all believers at least one gift of the Spirit, but most have more. Our responsibility is to use it (or them) wisely, faithfully, and in ways that honor the God who gave them.

If your life is hounded by insecurities, God can empower you to overcome them.

Father, I give my insecurities to you, believing you can help me conquer each one. 

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