Year 2020 is a year plagued with many insecurities, largely due to the repercussions of COVID-19. We saw people losing jobs, large departmental stores shutting down, companies downsizing, people dying. These give rise to a sense of insecurity that sweeps across the world, and people desperately desire security back again. And it is not just the pandemic or problems that made people seek security but in general, all humans yearn for a sense of security.

Why do we feel insecure?

1) Our relationship with God is not good enough.

Of course, environmental factors may waver our sense of security. Naturally, if the economy is bad, we will worry for our job prospects, or if we are sick physically, we have less assurance of how long we can live, etc. However, what lies behind insecurity is a problem far worse than external factors, it is the problem of not having a good relationship with God. Humans are created to find rest under the protection of God. When a person cannot trust God and His love and providence, or when he feels that God is not on his side, he will naturally feel insecure.

A typical example in the Bible is king Saul. Despite being a king and possessing power and wealth, he was a very insecure man, because he became estranged from God. He disobeyed God, and did not fully trust God. If we reflect upon our own lives, we will also realize that when our relationship with God is broken, we will feel insecure. Perhaps it is our own sin that tears us apart from God, such that we feel that God is ready to punish us and thus we feel this fear in our hearts. Or we may form our own misunderstanding toward God and doubt His word, thus we cannot find peace and assurance from His promises.

2) And when we cannot trust God, we will naturally turn to other things for security. Yet, the more we rely on things other than God Himself, the more we will feel insecure.

People often try to find security from how much money or assets they have, how many people love them, how safe a place they are living in, etc. Sadly, these things are impermanent, unreliable and beyond human control. Money may be on hand today but gone tomorrow; people may love us today but leave us tomorrow; our success may be achieved today but replaced by another person tomorrow. If our sense of security is founded on these, then we will only remain insecure and filled with worries. The truth is, there is nothing more reliable than God and things keep changing. Thus, perfect security cannot be found outside of God.

3) The devil’s deception also makes us feel insecure.

Even if we have a good relationship with God, knowing that He is with us and loves us, the devil will still find ways to plant insinuations in us, making us doubt God’s power and faithfulness.

Then how can we restore the sense of security in God?

1) Only perfect love can drive out fear.

Insecurity is fear in another word. Those who feel insecure always fear that they have not enough for the future, fear that something bad is going to happen, fear that they will not be able to pull through problems, etc. However, <1 Jn 4:18> tells us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Now, who can give us “perfect love”? Only God, who is the source of love. Thus, only when a person knows and believes in God’s love and is reconciled to God through the blood of Christ, then he is able to shake off fears and restore a deep sense of security in the unfailing love of God.

2) Keep confirming and meditating upon His promises.

We humans are forgetful and easily influenced by worldly things and changing circumstances. Thus, we have to keep reminding ourselves of God’s word and promises to guard our hearts against losing or displacing our security in God. The more we meditate upon and confirm God’s word, the more we will be convinced of God’s faithfulness and restore our sense of security in Him. Thus, the psalmist said, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.” <Ps 16:8-9>

<Ps 27:1> The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

<Ps 20:7> Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

<Prov 18:10> The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

No matter what our earthly circumstances are, if we put our faith in the Lord, we are already assured of eternal security. For Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” <Jn 10:28> This is the most important promise. When a person is assured of his eternal destiny, he will also have a sense of security as he lives on earth.

3) Obey God’s will and live it out.

God told His people in <Lev 25:18>, “Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land.” <Prov 2:7-8> also tells us that “He (God) holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Therefore, when we obey God’s word, live according to it, confess our sin and shun evil, then we can be “safe” and can approach God boldly and with confidence, knowing that He will hear our prayers and lead us in His best ways. When we do right in the eyes of God, we will have assurance that He will take care of us, and make even seemingly “bad” things work for our good.

4) Bring all our insecurities to God in prayers.

Prayer is the time when we can lay ourselves bare before God, confiding in Him all our fears and struggle through our insecurities, till we hear His reassuring voice again. <Php 4:6-7> tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

So dear friends, are you feeling insecure now for any reason? Or if you feel safe, where does your security come from? Is it from unstable sources or is it from the trustworthy God? May we all seek eternal security in God and live our earthly lives with an assured heart that whatever comes tomorrow, God is holding our hands safely.