Writings from the Global Office

Writings from the Global Office

EMPOWERING LIVES WITH PURPOSE:

COURAGE TO OVERCOME INSECURITY

There are many causes of insecurity, but chief among them is our failure to fully trust God.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV) teaches us “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord, for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will it cease from yielding fruit.”

God made us to love Him and to love others. One of the main issues of insecurity is being self-conscious. Self-consciousness is when you are focused on self. When we are focused on ourselves, we are not loving God and loving others or showing them to be more worthy. Philippians 2:3 tells us to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves.

Another cause of insecurity is relying on wealth and possessions instead of God. The world encourages us to strive and to be Number One in what we do. When we are insecure, it reveals that we long for justification before people rather than before God. God, who richly provides everything for us to enjoy (1 Timothy 6 :17), wants us to trust Him.

God loves you just the way you are. He created you with all your beauty and attributes. Insecurities can come when we are preoccupied with the securities of this world. We will never obtain all that the world tells us we need.

Our righteousness is what pleases the Lord; unfortunately, many of us get hung up on having a better reputation with people than with God. We can become overly obsessive, longing for Facebook likes or accolades from our career to boost our worthiness, and forsaking the righteousness of Christ, which is what truly makes us worthy. (Romans 6:16-17)

It takes courage to surrender insecurities. Just as the Apostle Paul said, “I count everything as lost because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:7-8 ESV)

Let us not doubt what security we have in Christ, giving Satan the win. God is in control and his sovereignty extends to anyone who believes. True security will come when you recognize that God will supply every need of yours according to his riches and glory in Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:19) With courage, we can allow God to overcome our insecurity by never forgetting God’s promise to keep those in perfect peace whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in Him. (Isaiah 26:3)

Kimberly Hobbs

Founder and Executive Director kimberly@womenworldleaders.com

Excerpt from: Women World Leaders “Courageous Steps Of Faith.” With God All Things Are Possible.

Biblical Profiles

ABIGAIL: PREPARED FOR ACTION

One night in January 2020 I was awakened about 2 am by my husband jumping out of bed and a red glow coming in through our bedroom window. Within seconds, there was a firefighter pounding on our front door saying: “Your neighbor’s house is on fire. You need to get out.” Before I knew what was happening, we were standing across the street witnessing our neighbor’s vacant house burn down. I watched amazed at the dozens of firefighters who knew exactly what to do, praising God that they were prepared to save our home.

Sometimes in life we have to jump into action – jolted forward by the Holy Spirit or a given circumstance. To be truly successful in these moments, we must be prepared. As Christians, we can trust that even when we don’t know what is ahead, if we follow God’s lead in obedience, He will prepare us.

Abigail was married to Nabal – an extremely wealthy man who was “surly and mean in his dealings.” (1 Samuel 25:2-3, NIV) When approached by David and his men wanting some food, Nabal, in his stinginess, refused to show the visitors hospitality despite the customs of the day and the fact that David and his men had been protecting Nabal’s land.

One of the servants witnessed the exchange and knew there was trouble afoot, so he straight lined it to Abigail, saying: “David sent messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet these men were very good to us…Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household.” (1 Samuel 25:14-17, NIV)

Abigail took action – and averted disaster! Even while David and his men were planning an attack on Nabal’s whole household, she gathered supplies to offer them, went to David, and submissively fell at his feet begging for his forgiveness and mercy.

Abigail was able to take action because she had diligently prepared – even when she didn’t know what she was preparing for. She prepared socially by building relationships: the servant knew he could go to her. She

prepared intellectually by understanding her situation: she was keenly aware of the family’s holdings, the business responsibilities, and the customs. And she prepared emotionally: being sure of herself and her decisions, she was not above submitting to David or asking for his forgiveness.

God had prepared Abigail for this unforeseen circumstance. And Abigail, in faith, took action – saving her family’s business and household.

God prepared the firefighters, who had the right equipment and training. And they took action – saving our home.

God is preparing you. Something is coming – an action He wants you to take. Are you willing to obediently prepare today for what He has for you tomorrow? If you ask, He will give you the steps to take to be ready. Perhaps He wants you to study, to save, or to exercise and keep your weight in check. Perhaps He wants you to reestablish godly habits in your life. Perhaps there is someone you need to forgive or request forgiveness from. I don’t know what it is or when it is coming, but you will be called to a moment of action – either to avert disaster or to ignite a flame for His glory. Will you be prepared for action?

Julie Jenkins

Teaching and Curriculum Leader julie@womenworldleaders.com

Jesus at the Center of Our Lives

WHEN GOD MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE

I opened my Bible before the flight began and started to read God’s Word. My plane was about to take off and I realized that the middle seat next to me was the only seat on the entire plane that was empty. After a few minutes it hit me—the Holy Spirit told me “No, it’s taken... Jesus is sitting next to you.” And I just started smiling and laughing. And Jesus reminded me, “I’m always with you. See...” as my eyes started to tear up. It was such an intimate moment, like two best friends. I continue to draw near to Him, and He continues to show up.

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.’” Exodus 33:14-15 NIV

He is no less present today with me than He was with Moses. God doesn’t just meet me in a church building, He meets me every moment of my life. He’s knocking, will I open the door? He’s with me, will I open my eyes and see? He wants to be on this journey with me, will I tell the Lord, ‘Don’t send me anywhere unless your presence goes with me’?

God has met me across the world in another continent, and God has met me in my hometown. God has met me in break-ups, singleness, and on first dates. God has met me in my dreams, giving me visions that have come to pass. God has met me in a room as my hands shook those of high-ranking government officials, and He’s met me as those same hands held an abandoned newborn baby. He’s met me in the middle of medical diagnoses, and He’s met me in answered prayers. God has met me in sunrises, and He’s met me in the midnight hour. God has met me in goodbyes, and in reconciled relationships. He’s met me in the eyes of a stranger, and in the voice of a close confidant. God has met me in my laughter, and He’s met me in my tears. He’s met me in my questioning, and in my confidence.

That is the one and only constant— God. Never changing, always with me. The God who holds the universe in His hands, meets me. He meets me where I’m at, but He never leaves me there. His grace is sufficient, and only by His grace can I be content in all circumstances.

Cling to Christ—in the midst of ever-changing circumstances, He is the only constant.

Love,

Lauren Dean

www.laurenelizabethdean.com Author and Speaker

Global Business and Missions Director