Finding Confidence in God's Presence Amid Insecurity

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Presence is the Cure for Insecurity

True security is found not in ourselves, but in the presence of God.
In moments of fear and insecurity, it is easy to believe that we are alone or not enough. Yet, just as a child finds comfort in the presence of a loving parent, we are invited to rest in the assurance that God is with us. His presence brings peace that no circumstance or achievement can provide. When we feel overwhelmed or inadequate, we can remember that God’s answer to our insecurity is not more self-confidence, but the unshakable confidence that comes from knowing He is near. [20:38]

Judges 6:12 (ESV)
And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Reflection: When you feel insecure or afraid today, how can you intentionally pause and invite God’s presence into that moment, trusting that He is with you right now?

Day 2: Insecurity Distorts Our Identity

Insecurity focuses on what we are not, but God sees our true potential.
We often see ourselves through a distorted lens, magnifying our weaknesses and minimizing our strengths. Like Gideon, we may feel unqualified or insignificant, but God calls us by a new name and sees what we can become through Him. He does not define us by our failures or fears, but by His purpose and power at work in us. When we allow God’s perspective to shape our identity, we can step forward with holy confidence, knowing that He sees our potential even when we cannot. [17:52]

Judges 6:15-16 (ESV)
And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

Reflection: What is one area where you have been defining yourself by your limitations? How might God be inviting you to see yourself through His eyes today?

Day 3: God’s Strength is Perfected in Our Weakness

Our weaknesses are opportunities for God to display His strength.
Rather than hiding or being ashamed of our weaknesses, we can see them as the very places where God wants to show up and do what only He can do. When we admit our need and rely on Him, God’s power is made perfect in us. Like Gideon’s small army, our insufficiency becomes the stage for God’s sufficiency. We do not have to muster up strength on our own; instead, we can delight in our weaknesses, knowing that when we are weak, then we are strong in Him. [28:50]

2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV)
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Reflection: Where do you feel most weak or inadequate right now? How can you invite God to show His strength in that very area today?

Day 4: Build Altars, Not Just Seek Signs

Lasting confidence comes from remembering God’s faithfulness, not chasing temporary signs.
It is tempting to look for constant reassurance from God through signs or comparisons, but these are fleeting and can never fully satisfy our need for security. Instead, we are called to build “altars”—intentional reminders of God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives. By returning to these moments, we anchor our confidence in who God is and what He has done, rather than in changing circumstances or feelings. This practice helps us trust that if God was faithful before, He will be faithful again. [24:18]

Judges 6:24 (ESV)
Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.

Reflection: What is one way you can create a tangible reminder today of God’s past faithfulness, so you can return to it when you need encouragement?

Day 5: Holy Confidence is Rooted in God, Not Ourselves

True confidence is not self-made, but grounded in God’s unchanging strength.
The world tells us to build self-confidence by focusing on our abilities, but holy confidence is different—it is rooted in God’s character and promises. When we trade our insecurity for His security, our weakness for His strength, and our hopelessness for His hope, we are transformed. We can walk forward not because we are enough, but because He is more than enough. This kind of confidence is unshakable, because it is anchored in the One who never fails. [28:50]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Reflection: What would it look like for you to step out in holy confidence today, trusting not in your own strength, but in God’s faithfulness to complete what He has started in you?

Sermon Summary

So many of us wrestle with insecurity, that nagging voice in our heads that tells us we’re not enough—never smart enough, strong enough, or worthy enough. Insecurity is like a funhouse mirror, distorting the truth about who we are and exaggerating our weaknesses. It’s a universal struggle, and if we’re not careful, it can derail our dreams and keep us from stepping into the destiny God has for us. But the good news is that God doesn’t see us through the lens of our insecurity. He sees our potential, even when we’re hiding in fear, just like Gideon was when God called him a “mighty warrior.”

The story of Gideon in Judges 6-7 is a powerful reminder that God’s confidence in us is not based on our abilities, but on His presence and power. Gideon was hiding, afraid, and convinced he was the least in his family, yet God called him to lead Israel against overwhelming odds. God’s answer to Gideon’s insecurity wasn’t to boost his self-esteem or give him a pep talk—it was to promise His presence: “The Lord is with you.” Over and over, God patiently reassured Gideon, not by making him stronger, but by making it clear that the victory would come from God’s strength, not Gideon’s.

We often look for confidence in temporary things—signs, comparisons, or fleeting moments of affirmation. But true, holy confidence is rooted in something unshakable: the presence and faithfulness of God. Like Gideon, we may ask for sign after sign, but what we really need is to build “altars” in our lives—intentional reminders of God’s goodness and faithfulness that we can return to when insecurity creeps in.

Our weaknesses are not obstacles to God’s work; they are opportunities for Him to show His strength. When we stop measuring our capacity by our own limitations and start trusting in God’s power, we find a confidence that is holy, secure, and unshakeable. We don’t have to hide our weaknesses or pretend to be strong. Instead, we can delight in our weaknesses, knowing that when we are weak, He is strong. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in the God who is always with us.

Key Takeaways

1. Insecurity distorts our self-perception, making us focus on what we are not, rather than who God says we are. Like Gideon, we often see ourselves as weak or inadequate, but God sees our potential and calls us according to His purpose, not our past or our fears. The security we long for is not something we earn, but a gift we inherit as children of God. [17:52]
2. God’s answer to our insecurity is always His presence. Just as a child finds peace in the presence of a loving parent, we find true security when we rest in the nearness of our Heavenly Father. No matter what we face, His presence is the foundation of our confidence and the cure for our insecurity. [20:38]
3. Confidence rooted in temporary things—like signs, circumstances, or comparisons—will always be fleeting. We often chase after proof or affirmation, but God invites us to build “altars” in our lives: intentional reminders of His faithfulness that anchor us when doubts arise. These altars help us remember that God was good, is good, and will be good. [22:37]
4. Our culture encourages constant comparison, which fuels insecurity and discontentment. Instead of measuring ourselves against others’ highlight reels, we are called to root our confidence in God’s unchanging character. When we stop seeking validation from the world and start seeking God’s presence, we discover a confidence that cannot be shaken by circumstances or opinions. [24:18]
5. Our weaknesses are not liabilities in God’s kingdom—they are opportunities for His strength to be displayed. When we embrace our limitations and trust God to work through them, we experience His power in ways we never could on our own. True strength is found not in self-reliance, but in surrendering our inadequacies to the God who delights to use the weak to accomplish His purposes. [26:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Where Does Confidence Come From?
[02:00] - High School Basketball and Insecurity
[04:55] - The Power of Getting in Your Head
[06:00] - Insecurity: The Funhouse Mirror
[07:59] - Israel’s Cycle: Sin, Struggle, and Salvation
[10:36] - Introducing Gideon: Hiding in Fear
[13:00] - Gideon’s Fleeces and God’s Patience
[15:57] - Outnumbered: God’s Math vs. Our Math
[17:52] - Insecurity Focuses on What I Am Not
[20:38] - God’s Presence: The Cure for Insecurity
[22:37] - Signs vs. Altars: Building Reminders of God’s Faithfulness
[24:18] - The Trap of Comparison
[26:13] - Weakness as Opportunity for God’s Strength
[28:50] - Prayer for Holy Confidence
[30:09] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[31:11] - Closing and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Judges 6:11-16 (ESV) — > Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV) — > But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Observation Questions

Where was Gideon when the angel of the Lord found him, and what was he doing? Why was this significant? ([10:36])
How did Gideon respond when God called him a “mighty warrior”? What reasons did he give for doubting himself? ([10:36])
What was God’s answer to Gideon’s insecurity and fear? Did God try to boost Gideon’s self-esteem, or did He offer something else? ([17:52])
According to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, what does Paul say about weakness and God’s strength?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose someone like Gideon, who saw himself as weak and insignificant, to lead Israel? What does this reveal about how God sees us versus how we see ourselves? ([17:52])
The sermon compared insecurity to a “funhouse mirror.” In what ways can insecurity distort our view of ourselves and our calling? ([06:00])
Why do you think God kept reducing the size of Gideon’s army? What was God trying to teach Gideon and the Israelites about where true confidence comes from? ([15:57])
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul says he “delights in weaknesses.” How is this attitude different from how most people view their weaknesses? What does it mean to “delight” in weakness? ([26:13])

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Insecurity will kill more dreams than failure ever will.” Can you think of a time when insecurity held you back from something you felt called to do? What was the outcome? ([04:55])
Gideon kept asking God for signs to confirm His calling. Are there areas in your life where you keep asking God for more proof or reassurance before you act? What would it look like to move forward in faith instead? ([22:37])
The pastor talked about building “altars” in our lives—intentional reminders of God’s faithfulness. What is one way you could create a reminder of God’s goodness in your daily routine? ([22:37])
Our culture encourages constant comparison, which fuels insecurity. What are some practical steps you can take to stop comparing yourself to others and root your confidence in God’s unchanging character? ([24:18])
The sermon said, “Our weaknesses are not liabilities in God’s kingdom—they are opportunities for His strength to be displayed.” Is there a weakness in your life that you’ve been trying to hide or fix on your own? How could you invite God to use that weakness for His glory? ([26:13])
When you feel insecure or “not enough,” what would it look like to rest in God’s presence, like a child finding peace with a loving parent? Is there a specific situation this week where you need to remember that God is with you? ([20:38])
The pastor prayed for a “supernatural dose of holy confidence.” What would change in your life if you truly believed your confidence came from God’s presence and not your own abilities? ([28:50])

Sermon Clips

Insecurity is the reason that supermodels feel ugly. It's the reason that earned PhDs feel dumb. It's the reason professional athletes feel unaccomplished. It's that somewhere along the way, life has this way of getting in our head, and insecurity plants these roots that take hold, and we feel like we'll never measure up. [00:05:56] (18 seconds) #InsecurityAffectsAll

What insecurity really is, is nothing more than a funhouse mirror. Have you ever seen these before? They give you a glimpse of...truth, but it's always distorted and messed up. And what funhouse mirrors do is it tends to exaggerate features of you. That's what insecurity does. It gives you a glimpse of the truth, but the truth is it's not the full picture of who you are. It's always clouded and exaggerated, and it makes you think that you can never measure up. [00:06:14] (28 seconds) #InsecurityIsDistortion

All of us deal with insecurity. We just do. Insecurity is a part of the human experience. It's the reason you walk into a room and you feel alone. The room's full of people, but you feel alone. If you struggle with tendencies like perfectionism, like I do, you will always struggle with insecurity. If you had words spoken over you when you were a kid that you weren't good enough or you won't measure up, you will deal with insecurity. [00:06:43] (24 seconds) #InsecurityIsUniversal

If you feel like your whole life you're trying to live up to a standard that is unattainable, you will live with insecurity. It is the constant companion of so many people. I just know this. All of us seem to at one point or another have a voice in our head, but how often is the voice building us up? And how often is the voice tearing us down? [00:07:06] (22 seconds) #TheVoiceWithin

Sin leads to struggle. And with struggle, you have an opportunity to do something. You can either live in the struggle, which is what I pray we don't do, or we can do what the people of Israel often did, and cry out to God, repent of our sins, and turn for help, and then God offers salvation. [00:10:48] (17 seconds) #StruggleLeadsToSalvation

The security that you want and the security that you need is not something you earn. In fact, you need to understand that security is an inheritance. It's not earned. It's given freely to you. It's not something that you can earn. You get to walk in security. You don't have to fight for security. It's a gift from God because you're a part of his family. [00:20:02] (20 seconds) #SecurityIsAGift

What if instead of looking for signs, you built some altars? Now, this is different. Now, signs are things that are temporary and they change. They're circumstantial, but altars are intentional decisions. Like, as you read the Old Testament, altars were places people built so they could come back to it and remember the goodness and the faithfulness of God. [00:23:40] (19 seconds) #PeaceOverProof

What if instead of your weaknesses being the thing that holds you back from stepping into tomorrow with confidence, what if you saw your weaknesses as God's opportunity? What does it mean? It means that in my weakness, it gives God room to show up and flex his strength. [00:26:16] (18 seconds) #GodComesThrough

God always comes through. If we were to somehow go back in time and we were to get with Gideon, we're like, all right, look, there's 120 ,000 of them and there's 300 of you. I'm sure he wasn't sleeping at night. I'm sure he thought this was the end of his story because he wasn't capable or strong enough or wise enough to come up with this on his own. The same is true for you and me. It's that insecurity, it always measures our capacity by our weakness, but not by God's strength. [00:27:28] (29 seconds) #StrengthInWeakness

Like what would it look like if all of us made this decision today to leave and walk out of our churches? And we make this decision to say, I maybe walked in this way feeling overwhelmed by the weight of this world and feeling unable to stand up under the weight and the pressure of it. I feel weak. I feel insignificant. I feel insecure, but my strength isn't my strength. My confidence isn't my confidence, but I walk out with a holy sense of confidence. My strength isn't mine. My strength comes from you, God. [00:28:27] (30 seconds)

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