1,000 Words (Overcoming Insecurity)

Sara Christie is a follower of Christ and currently serves as the Director of Family Ministries at Wyckoff Reformed Church in NJ. She loves working with the next generation, leading teen bible studies, making space for vulnerable and deep conversations, drinking strong coffee, and taking her hammock on new adventures. While she loves her job, she doesn't hesitate to use those vacation days to visit our National Parks System! Follow @sarakatechristie on Instagram for more!

As the saying goes…a picture is worth 1,000 words, but in my experience, they aren’t always kind ones.

In anticipation and celebration of turning 36 this past January, I decided to take a quick trip to California to explore Joshua Tree National Park and enjoy two relaxing nights under the stars at a remote and charming AirBnb - complete with a hot tub, record player, and hammock. Thanks to a free flight and rental car, courtesy of my dad’s business, it was the perfect opportunity - too good to resist!

Throughout my 72 hours in the California desert, I was content and relaxed. I turned off my phone and blissfully enjoyed the symphony of silence with my Creator. One morning I awoke early to enjoy the sunrise over the distant mountains. I captured a quick picture so that later on I’d be able to remember the immense peace and gratitude I felt in that moment.

Photo evidence →

Forty-eight hours after this photo was taken, I was on the plane back to New Jersey.

As we taxied the runway, I scrolled through my trip photos in order to perpetuate my state of bliss. Sadly, rather than feeling that peace and gratitude when looking at the sunrise photo, I felt insecurity and judgment. I didn’t see joy.

I saw wrinkles.

I saw my age.

I saw my relationship status.

I saw my body size.

I saw a girl whose life looked different than she thought it would at this age.

I saw all that is “not right” or lacking.

I didn’t see the beauty of God’s creation or the joy He has given me. I saw all the things I’m disappointed with and all that I wish God would change. I was listening to the lies of insecurity.

Maybe you’re not looking at a desert sunrise but rather a photo of you and your spouse on a date night. A silly family picture from your child’s first soccer game. A night out with friends where your eyes are squinted from laughing so hard it hurts. A cute photo of you snuggling your pet.

Whatever memories your photo album contains…when’s the last time you looked at one and relived the memory without criticizing yourself? Or passed by a mirror without putting yourself down?

Without realizing, we allow the lies of insecurity rob us of joy. The voice of insecurity loves to cut us down, distort our experiences, and magnify our weaknesses. Sometimes insecurity is loud; other times it’s a whisper. It’s always confident despite always being wrong. But it becomes so easy to believe because we’ve had so much practice with it. If you have a similar morning commute or routine, after a while, it’s done on autopilot. Similarly, the more we listen to the voice of insecurity, the more true it becomes to us.

Here’s the truth: the maker gets to evaluate His creation. No one else. And God says…

You are “fearfully and wonderfully” made. (Psalm 139:14)

You were knit together. (Psalm 139:13)

You are very good. (Genesis 1:31)

You were created on purpose. (Jeremiah 1:5)

You are a masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)

You are worthy, beautiful, and loved.

The maker is the only one who gets to evaluate His creation.

Today, my prayer is that you challenge that voice. That when you look at your photo or reflection in the mirror, you say “Is it possible those insecurities aren’t true? Is it possible God says differently? Do I have to accept these lies?”

Now, go pull up that photo. Let His evaluation fill the 1,000 words of your photo.

If you’d like to dig into how you can prevent insecurity from being the loudest voice in your life, send me an email or schedule one-on-one time with me. And consider subscribing to my blog where I post lots of helpful suggestions on how you can begin (and continue) this journey of recovering your blueprint!