I love my dad more than I'm able to express sometimes. He knows me better than almost anyone else I know (except maybe my mom!) and can read me like a book. He allows me the freedom to ask to speak to "dad" or "psychologist" or "theologian" or any other hat. He never claims to have all the answers but he always turns me back to God and reminds me that all answers come from my Maker.
When I told dad about a book I was looking into reading, he checked it out and got it for me; without discussion. He knows me well enough to know how much I needed to read what lay inside its pages.
So Long, Insecurity was written by Beth Moore this year and it's timing could not have been more perfect in my life. I have already made it halfway through, but it's taken me to this point to be able to talk about it a little bit. You see, the first half is mostly focused on the roots of insecurity and the experiences we have as women that lead to all levels of it.
I am just now getting to the healing portion and I'm already BLOWN AWAY!! Beth dissects a portrait of Proverbs' "woman of valor" - 'She is clothed with strength and dignity.' I mean she breaks it down word for word! Here are some points that really stuck out to me:
1. ...part of any woman's healing from insecurity inevitably involves reclaiming her God-given dignity.
2. ...the most common feeling I get when I've let my insecurity surface, it is the sense of being overexposed.
3. I have come to a place where I'm willing to be transparent with my insecurity, but I find great relief that human eyes have to see it through the filter-the clothing-of God-given strength and dignity. I don't have to stand before you or anybody else in total emotional nakedness. I have a scriptural covering that gives me the courage to expose my most personal self.
4. What would happen if, in the moment you feel hit by that miserable wave (of insecurity), you remind yourself emphatically that you are a God-clothed woman of valor and you have the privilege to wear divine strength like a garment?
5. Pride is dignity's counterfeit. Never lose sight of that. We don't forfeit our humility in order to get over insecurity.
6. You and I, along with every other human on this planet, possess dignity because God himself has it and he created us in his image...God didn't just confer dignity to us...He crowned us with it.
7. To possess dignity is to be worthy of respect. Worthy of high esteem. Absorb this: YOU ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT. (emphasis added)
8. OUR POSSESSION OF DIGNITY IS NOT ALWAYS SOMETHING WE FEEL. IT'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING WE KNOW. SOMETHING WE EMPHATICALLY CLAIM. (emphasis added)
I don't have too much to add to that! It was so profound for me that I had to share it. I'd welcome any thoughts.
God you are amazing! Thank you for this gift! This treasure! May all women be given a opportunity to read this message you have given through Beth. I LOVE YOU!
