All throughout my life, I’ve dealt with feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth. I felt undone, incomplete, or insignificant. Along the way, I realized this stemmed from my childhood. I did not ask for it. I certainly did not want it. But with an undeniably painful past and a seemingly questionable future, I muddled through life. I thought a man could save me, but he only tried to make me into his own image! I became his shadow, worshiped the ground he walked on, subservient to his every whim. I was truly lost, with no identity, no voice – no me. Yet I held on, not wanting to lose him then. By the way, that’s a perfect example of insecurity: the more easily threatened we are, the more insecure we are.
Beth Moore says: “Insecurity lives in constant terror of loss.” As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been reading Beth Moore’s So Long, Insecurity with the subtitle You’ve Been a Bad Friend to Us. Wish she wrote this book 40 years ago! She says that insecurity is not only a woman’s battle. She identifies insecurity as a “profound sense of self-doubt – a deep feeling of uncertainty about our basic worth and our place in the world. The insecure man or woman lives in constant fear of rejection and deep uncertainty about whether his or her own feelings and desires are legitimate.”
I thought about myself as a Christian, why from time to time do I still struggle with insecurities? Why does rejection crush me so? Why do I second-guess everything? Beth reveals an interesting point about herself in her book: “I not only lack security, but I also lack faith. I don’t just doubt myself, I also doubt God about myself.
Now I don’t know about you, but that struck a core in me!
She goes on to say how some of us never seek healing from God for our insecurities because we feel like we don’t fit the profile. But insecurity’s best cover is perfectionism. Now there’s a mask for you!
What masks are you prone to wear? Looking back, I recall hiding the pain behind my smile.
A woman who has no self-worth or low self-esteem tends to hide behind a mask.
Note: Here’s a poem I came across: Don’t Be Fooled By Me
Reflections From the Heart 
This is so me. Although my masks are off the spiritual insecurities are so ever present. You’ve shed light and insight to my heart and mind. I love you so much my sister. Truly an honor to have you in my life. May you be the guiding light so many of us need. ❤❤❤
Loved this, Mary!! Wow! I can certainly relate with this post. I just started reading a book called “Grace for the Good Girl” and the author talks about the masks we wear too. I want to be rid of my insecurities and healed by God. My mask is definitely perfectionism. I try to hard to cover up my weaknesses be it sin or some other kind of weakness. I’d say another one is the mask of self-sufficiency. I act like I don’t need anything or anyone. Great post!
Beautiful and profound article Mary Ann. I can totally relate to every word. Thank you for being so very transparent to your readers and thank you for your obedience to God’s calling on your life. You are a tremendous blessing to many.
Most of us have insecurities. Mine weren’t because I lacked self-worth. I just wondered why others didn’t see it. I still have this feeling sometimes, but working and praying on it helps. I’m not so concerned if others don’t see my worth–as long as God does.
I think even the most self-assured people battle insecurity a little bit. How could we not all battle insecurity- imperfect people in an imperfect world? A daily bath in the source of my security, soothes the pain away!
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing.
“Insecurity lives in constant terror of loss,” true words.