How fear can rob you of purpose—and how faith can restore it.
Danielle had a way of quietly stepping back just when life started opening up. She wasn’t dramatic about it—just quietly withdrawn. She had spent years healing, working on her faith, and finally walking in emotional wholeness. But when it came to significant opportunities—whether in love, career, or ministry—she’d start pulling away. A part of her just didn’t believe she was ready. She’d pray for doors to open, but when they did, insecurity made her feel like she didn’t belong on the other side. Instead of showing up with boldness, she’d begin replaying her past mistakes, and before she knew it, she had already talked herself out of what God was trying to walk her into.
Insecurity can feel like a safety net, but it’s really a cage. And it shows up when we least expect it—right at the edge of answered prayer. What Danielle was feeling is something many of us battle: the fear of not being enough. It whispers lies like, “You’re not ready for this,” or “They’ll see right through you.” But that fear doesn’t come from God. Scripture tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT), “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” So when fear comes knocking, it’s not a holy warning—it’s a signal that something needs to be confronted, not avoided.
What makes insecurity so dangerous is how it disguises itself. It’ll make you feel like you’re just being careful, like you’re protecting your heart or waiting on more confirmation. But deep down, it’s often the result of a wounded place that hasn’t been fully surrendered to God. And when we don’t deal with those inner wounds, they begin to filter how we see ourselves—and how we interpret the opportunities in front of us. God could be trying to bless you, and insecurity will have you calling it a trap. It’s why some women run from healthy relationships—they don’t trust the new because they’re still chained to old pain. But if God is opening a door, we have to stop treating it like a threat.
God never intended for us to live life disqualified by our past. That’s why Paul wrote in Romans 8:1 (NLT), “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” That means you don’t have to keep rehearsing old mistakes to prove you’ve learned something. Jesus already paid for your freedom. If you’ve been redeemed, then it’s time to live like it. Don’t let insecurity keep you apologizing for a version of yourself that no longer exists. God isn’t holding your past against you—so why are you?
Walking in freedom means learning how to show up in rooms you once felt unworthy to enter. It means embracing love, purpose, and joy without second-guessing whether you deserve it. That’s not arrogance—it’s faith. And faith says, “If God called me here, then I belong here.” It doesn’t mean you won’t feel nervous. But it does mean you don’t let fear make your decisions anymore. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) reminds us, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” God never expected you to do this on your own. He’s offering strength for the step—and peace for the process.
You’ve missed enough because of fear. Walk boldly into what God is giving you. The blessings you’re praying for? You’re not just allowed to receive them—you’re equipped to handle them. There is nothing humble about rejecting what God is trying to give you. That job, that relationship, that open door—it’s not too much for you. Not when God is with you. He has already made a way. Now it’s your turn to trust Him enough to walk in it. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“When Insecurity Causes You to Lose Out,” written by Rev. Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Lizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.