Episode 146: The Insecure Pastor

Insecurity shows up in several ways

 

• lack of confidence that prevents a leader from trying new things

 

• a critical spirit or cynical or stressed out or unteachable

 

• giving up easily when encountering obstacles or when trying to please people

 

• Insecure is not always shy or self-deprecating. Sometimes it comes across as bluster that is trying to overcompensate for insecurity.

 

How do you overcome insecurity?

If it’s in your job - how does that affect your thoughts and actions?

If it’s in your ability to speak well?

If it’s in your ability to grow your church?

 

What should your security be based on?

If your sense of worth and sense of security comes from anything other than Jesus - you will struggle

 

From Zach Young:

 

 

It’s foundational. If you don’t start with identity then you’ve missed it, and you’ll end up spending the rest of your life “searching for yourself.”

 

We have to understand who God is and what He created us for. If we don’t operate out of that identity, then we start working out of our own thoughts, abilities, and so on. And that’s how we become anxious, depressed, burnt out, and insecure. Because we are working towards an identity instead of from it. So for me, God had to get me to stop and reevaluate. I had to ask am I in this thing based on what I think or feel, or am I in this because I understand how loved I am. God had to teach me what I am really created for and what my purpose is… which is simply relationship. That’s what the entire Bible is all about. Just knowing God and being known by him. And when we understand that, then all of a sudden, that’s my only concern. And now I don’t have all of this pressure to perform, or create an identity, or any of the other absurd things we put ourselves through. Now all of a sudden, my only job is to enjoy God and tell others that I am enjoying God.

 

So to encourage another follower of Jesus, I would say slow down. Ask the dumb questions. And most importantly ask God to show you who you are.

 

And a true test to see if you really believe that you are who God says you are… go look yourself in the mirror for 5 minutes straight and speak nothing but identity. I guarantee God will begin to show you where your heart really is.

 

I’ll put it this way. I’ve been a young adult pastor for a year now, and literally for the entire year I’ve only taught on one thing… identity in Christ.