Hey, Girls! I have absolutely LOVED your discussions in Week One! I am so happy about the decision to take a full week for your responses because the comments come in at a slow enough pace for AJ and me to read a ton of them. You are such an interesting and diverse group.
There were so many comments that made me think, a few that made me want to cry, and several that made me laugh my head off. I have to mention two that brought a smile to my face because I had anticipated this very challenge and discussed it at some length with my friends at Tyndale House. Both of the responses that made me grin came from the question about the last time you faced our gender’s massive insecurity struggle. One of you said you confronted it when you immediately had to pull the book jacket off so no one would see that you were reading a book on insecurity. The other one said something similar but with even more detail. You described getting the book that very day, taking it with you to work to begin reading over your supper break, spreading your stuff out on the table in the break room, then covering the name of the book so no one would think you were insecure. I loved it.
BY ALL MEANS, pull that book jacket off if you need to! It’s what’s inside the book that matters. I’ll tell you why I begged to have the word “insecurity” in the title even though the question came to the table, “Will insecure women be secure enough to get a book with insecurity in the title?” My feeling – then theirs – was that it was worth the chance. If we’d just named it something like “Hello Security,” women would not have known outright that it dealt with healing from INsecurity. Big difference. We can talk about security all day long but we will never find ourselves in that beautiful place without letting God deal with our insecurity.
As I wrestled with how it should be titled, I became certain, I pray through the direction of the Holy Spirit, that the key word had to be in it. It had to be blatant. That moment’s resonance with that distasteful word insecurity might make a woman like me stop and think…then gather the courage to slap that thing on the counter and take it home with her. I am convinced that, if someone else had written it and I’d been in the emotional turmoil of last year, I would have seen that word, looked both ways in that Walmart or that bookstore, and, when the coast was clear, I would have run to the check out counter – then to the car – as fast as I could. And I probably would have read the first chapter in the car with tears rolling down my cheeks. That’s how desperate I was.
Anyway, the first real step toward healing is admitting we’ve got a problem. So, you see? The fact that we were secure enough to get a book on insecurity means that all 6700+ of us are on our way to healing! High five right here, Girls. God is proud of us.
OK, so let’s get to our discussions for Week Two. Read or thoroughly review CHAPTERS THREE and FOUR then answer the questions that follow this paragraph. Remember to add your basic bio information every time you comment: First name, age decade, married or single, city, state. If at any time, your answer is too vulnerable for you to want to identify yourself, just go with age decade and married or single status. Those facts themselves bring insight to your answers.
1. Based on Chapter Three, what tends to be your own “Prominent False Positive”?
2. What is the challenge stated at the very end of Chapter Three? (I want us to see this restated in our comments hundreds of times so it breaks into our belief systems. It is critical to our journey. SO, I don’t care how many times you’ve seen it written on this post, write it again for yourself. That’s your mama talking.)
3. Based on Chapter Four, what Biblical figure (or statement about him/her) resonated with you most and why?
That’s it for this week! I can’t wait to see your answers. Remember, you have until next Thursday morning to answer your questions.
I care so much, Ladies. You are a tremendous inspiration to me. May Christ meet you in your tasks and concerns today. He loves you lavishly.
PS. I had to hop back on here and mention another comment that I just saw under last Thursday’s post. In fact, I’m going to flat-out cut and paste it. I thought it was so funny in terms of the two earlier ones I mentioned to you about some of us feeling a tad insecure about reading an insecurity book in public. Dig this one:
One of our sisters wrote…
Well, I ordered my book online and really thought it should be in/getting close to last Thursday when we were supposed to start. I went up to the receptionist and to see if I had received any packages and then said, “sure wish my book would come in.” Receptionist had a funny look on her face and pointed to a package on her desk. She said she didn’t know whose it was as it came in the day before with just company name and not an individual. She said, “I asked every woman in this office if it was theirs. I didn’t even think to ask you….you would be the last person…” Well, it was mine and at first I said, “I’m not insecure” but later walked back up there and said, “[the woman’s name], I do have some insecurities but guarantee you when I am done, I’ll be set free from them.” She looked at me like I was crazy. Oh well.
Bless your heart, Sister! We love you, we’re feeling your pain, and we’re all cringing and laughing with you (you just might as well go ahead and think it’s funny). Honestly, that’s just like something that would happen to me. You are all so refreshing to me. Let’s stay the course in Jesus’ great Name.
Julie Anne 
Jessica,
23
Single
Sulphur, Louisiana
1. My prominent false positive is popularity. I see some of my friends at church who just sit down, and just have fall in the pews all around me. I am usually I am the one that has to move to another pew during our greeting time so I won't feel so insecure about sitting alone. Sometimes I think life would be better if people were all the time inviting me along to events with them, and people would call me instead of me calling them all the time. I feel as I would be more secure if my weekends were full of countless events to attend.
2. To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship.
3. The super-apostles and Paul. I just have become an adult volunteer for our youth ministry. There is ladies that I am working with have been professional teacher, have children, and have been at this current church for so many years. Yet, I know that God wants me to be there to help ministry to these youth girls (youth as high and, middle schoolers). I can't help but feel inferior, and worry that I won't be as a big of help to these youth as these other ladies. I feel as I am not as qualify because I'm not married, have no children, have no professional working background with working children. The only thing I have is the knowledge of the bible, and how God has healed me. I do tend to use it, and as I am writing this I can feel that makes me more than qualify for what I am doing with the youth. I still can't help but feel more than inferior to these ladies.
Marlene
Livonia, MI
61 and married
False Positive: women who are healthy, energetic, thin, and confident.
Challenge: Our wellness and strenth comes from God's strength. He is to be reflected in all that we are; our emotions,our responses and every relationship we have. He loves us because He sees the beauty of His son in us. We are accepted unconditionally because of Christ. We are to reflect His beauty and glory.
I idenify with the statement about Paul; not that I am like him but that I want to be like him-not willing to let my weaknesses, feelings and fears override my faith. That is what holds me back. It is at the root of my insecurity.
Monica
Toronto, Canada (transplanted aussie)
30s
m w 4 kids
1. financial comfort…we are moving to our 4th home in 4 years…
flawless skin…
2. "To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthly vessels until it drives out every emotion, reaction and relationship."
3. Moses…I am so bad at talking on front of people…even one-on-one gets me tongue-tied.
Cindy
Blairsville, GA
40's
married
1. My prominent false positive is comparing myself to others and thinking that they are superior to me because of…..just fill in the blank.
2. The challenge: To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship.
3. I guess I most identify with Saul. "Insecurity lives in constant terror of loss. Insecure people are always afraid that something or somebody is going to be taken from them." Sometimes I struggle with jealousy when it seems like God is doing something in someone else's life. I want God to love me as much as He loves that other person. How insecure is that?
Joy C.
Altadena, CA
30's
single
1. My false positive is slender=beautiful=valuable=safe
2.To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship. When we allow God's truth to eclipse every false positive and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in His glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are.
3. Sarai & Saul – "More often than not we can trace feelings of insecurity to a perceived threat" – I too fear loss and being displaced. I'd hate having to compete for love. This idea of insecurity being tied to a threat (real or imagined) or the fear of a loss just hit home for me.
Chapter 3: Being thin is my most prominent false positive. It’s a monkey on my back, in large part, because I am insulin-dependent diabetic (I pump!). I know that I need to stay healthy due to diabetes but I struggle with being obsessive about how I look and that is NOT healthy.
The challenge is to allow God’s truth to eclipse every false positive and set my eyes on His glorious reflection of me!
Chapter 4: I relate to Moses because I am slow to obey and stubborn in my belief. I question when I need to listen. I sometimes roll off a list of why I cannot . . .
Martha
Pelham, NC
50's
Married
ch.3-4
PFP –popularity and more friends. there are some people I am around that just seem to always have it together… and they always have lots of friends around, or are always getting together with people. I think if I could just be like them, someone would want to hang out with me…
I also just want to "fess up" that I have been know to hint around for compliments from my husband w/o asking the question, because I CRAVE his attention most!! You are not alone. 🙂
Challenge: to let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship.
Moses: "Heaven knows how many people never fulfill their destinies simply because of their own insecurities."
Saul: "Insecure people are always afraid that something or somebody is going to be taken from them."
Julie Anne
30s, married
Clarks Summit, PA
My most prominent false positive is knowledge and intelligence…I always feel inadequate in the brain department, although those who are close to me feel differently and are surprised by this revelation (only my husband and my best girlfriend have ever been let in on this insecurity).
The challenge – to let the God-healthy and secure part of me overcome the ungodly and unhealthy insecurities until my every emotion, reaction, and relationship is Godly, healthy and resting securely in Him. Praise Jesus!
I identify most with Moses…especially since I am in a season of change, I am very insecure in identifying (and, thus, fulfilling) God's calling on my life and career. And I can always identify others that God can better use than me!
Deborah
Clearwater, FL
40's
Married
Kim
St. Cloud, FL
30s
single
1. My "Prominent False Positive?" Well, my basic bio says 30s and single. As much as I recount the blessings of singlehood or remind myself of the perfectness of God's plans, I've caught myself thinking, "when I'm married…" As if my life will suddenly be more complete or purposeful or secure because I have a man. Probably a pretty good indication that it's my False Positive, wouldn't you say?
2. The challenge: "To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us [Christ in us] increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship."
3. Moses resonated with me most because he allowed his insecurities to limit what God might have accomplished through him. Being part of a ministry, I often feel so ill-equipped for what I'm asked or expected to do. How often do I miss out because I focus on my weaknesses rather than on the bigness of my God?
Lori
Rock Hill,SC
30's
married
catch up time…
Chap 1: last time I faced insecurity? Probably DAILY to some degree.
Chap 2: part of definition that resonated? unconscious, unrealistic expectations and wondering whether or not my own feelings/desires are legit. I am usually seen as "together, confident, secure" by most. When I do feel secure, boy, I am learning to give God the glory. It's by His Grace I am and do it all…And it's good to be real with others when I am struggling, cause we are ALL struggling somewhere sometime. God's helping me see the "unconscious" stuff I need to deal with and surrender to HIM.
Chap 3: Prominent False Pos? maybe control (I am not real secure with that answer!!) I think I will be more secure if everything is going as planned..and I am present to oversee it??? Okay, I am a control freak!
Challenge: allow God's TRUTH to eclipse every false positive, and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have and ARE in HIM!
Chap 4: Paul
WHY? Rom 7:14-25
Molly, I have spent a huge portion of my life (especially as a teenager) wanting to be someone else too. I can still be given to that lie in any moment unless I fight hard to know that when Jesus made me He wasn't after any kind of cheap imitation of someone else, but He wanted ME. In alot of ways I'm not sure exactly who "me" is and how she is distinguishly different, but I do know that I'm not meant to be like anyone else…and that is OK. whew. That is the hard part, isn't it? accepting that who God made you to be really isn't meant to be compared to anyone else, only accepted and appreciated.
Love you, fellow siesta!
1) My prominent false positives (I can't pick just one!): financial security, being smart, and being liked.
2)Challenge: To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship.
3) I resonate with the statement you made about Moses: how people don't fulfill their destinies because of their own insecurities. I'm afraid that's me….I not only let insecurity get in the way – I let fear get in the way. Lord, help.
Kate 🙂
Ohio
20's
Married
Amy in Maineville, Ohio
40's married.
My prominant false positive is being a more organized woman/"on my game" type of wife and mother. Someone who represents stability and faith in emotional situations and is not rocked by every little bump in the road.
I think I identify with Paul the most. I am always wrestling with my inner wo-man and its constant shortcomings. I am certain that the biggest enemy to the fullfillment of my destiny is myself. I get caught up in whether I am "doing it right", for God, for my husband for my sons.
Mrs. Moore,
I got to thinking about alot of sillier insecurities I've had over the years and thought you would get a kick out of one of them. In Junior High I hated my own handwriting and was constantly comparing it to others and even trying to "teach myself" how to write like others (mine looks more like a boy, but my friends had this way cute style complete with bubbled dotting). I even had a hard time studying my notes because of it! When I took a psychology class in college, I even asked my professor if it was symptomatic of a more serious problem, like not accepting myself or something and he kind of laughed. But I was seriously struggling with this. Somehow, I finally realized that God likes it so who cares as long as it gets the job done. And now I accept it, but I am kind of embarrassed at how stressed I really used to be over it!
Donna
Miami, FL
60's – yikes!
married
My prominent false positive is my body image. I'm always comparing myself to other women and even disliking them even when I don't know them! Wearing jealousy is very unbecoming to a siesta. I have to keep reminding myself that I am "fearfully and wonderfully made". How dare I insult one of God's creations.
Sherrie
30's
Married
Spokane, WA
1.I about died in chapter 2 when Beth said, "Insecurity's best cover is perfectionism. That's where it becomes an art form." Those two sentences were a picture of my past (not that I am cured by any means!) My own "Prominent False Positives" (I will share 2) are 1. If my husband had a relationship with the Lord everything would be perfect. We'd be on the same page when it came to raising our children, being involved with church, relationships…I could go on and on. 2. How others percieve me and my family. I am constantly concerned about what I've said or done that could have hurt or offended another. I also worry about the actions and words of my children and husband. And can I say, I feel, if my first false positve would/could be true then everything else would be okay! Lord please free me!
2. To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship. When we allow God's truth to eclipse every false positive and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in His glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are.
3. Paul, I love his struggle with insecurity and comparisons with others (I can relate). But his heart for the Lord Jesus Christ! He knew all things are made perfect in Him. So I embrace 1 Corinthians 15:10 "By the grace of God I am what I am." As long as I remain open to the will and the work of God I will become whole through Christ alone.
And talk about insecure, I wish there was a way to run spell check for our responses!
Renee
49
Arlington,TN
married
1. false-positive- weight/health, I've struggled for many years with both. When I think I have things in control, it goes balistic once again. I think sometimes God wants me to struggle with both, however, I do not feel like He punishes me because of my weakness to maintain & sustain either problem.
2.relate to- Eve- I always seem to have the best intentions, however, I try to figure things out my way 1st, then like Eve, I feel persecuted, ashamed, inexperienced until finally I dig in the Word or prayer for the answers, when I should have done that 1st and saved myself from ignorance, The HARD lessons I have learned.
Hannah
Southwest,OH
18
single
1. My prominent false positive would have to be people pleasing. I think I've pretty much convinced myself that if everyone around me really liked me that I would be really happy. Lord have mercy!
2."To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship"
3. When we took a look at the apostle Paul it was almost frightening how similar we looked! I too struggle with wondering if what I do is good enough. I compare myself constantly to other who I feel are better and I wonder quite frequently if I'm missing out on something God has for me. And please don't even get me started on the whole ego issue. There aren't enough letters on the keyboard to describe what an issue that is. I do take comfort in my beloved brother's(Paul's) words from 1 Corinthians 15:10,"But by the grace of God I am what I am.." Oh my siesta's, how I take comfort in knowing that I am a word in progress.
Love,
Hannah
Kerrie
30's
Married
Sherwood Park, AB
1. Weight, looks, physical fitness
2. To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship. When we allow God's truth to eclipse every false positive and let our eyes open to the treasure we have, there in His glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are. And the beauty of the Lord our God will be upon us.
3. I related to Saul, especially the comment that said " Insecurity lives in constant terror of loss. Insecure people are always afraid that something or somebody is going to be taken from them."
1-My most prominent false positive is if I were only thin.
2-To let the healthy, utterly whole,and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion,reaction,and relationship.
3-The person that I most identify with is Moses because I often feel ill-equipped to do God's work.
Susan
married
50's
Birmingham,Al
Aly
60's
single
Bossier City, LA
1. my own prominent false positive is MONEY-$$$$$$-MONEY. (even with no $ coming in since 8/08 and not losing anything I wasn't willing to give up-Jesus has supplied me with everything I have needed on a daily basis, I am STILL insecure)
2.To let the healthy, utterly whole and completely secure part of us (God's truth)increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives out every emotion, reaction and relationship.(so, my focus MUST be on HIM and with HIM to see HIM at every moment within me. This is the way to KNOWING…….) I do believe there may be a dim bulb happening over my head!
3. The woman at the well is one of the poster children for my insecurity. I am 3x's divorced with a past string of promiscuity that now even makes me blush. The sum of all those parts is "if I just show no inhibitions he will want to be with me….." The sad fact is that I lived with that lie for a very long time. With no sex involved I find myself very ill at ease with men. I do not know how to make small talk-I cannot even make eye contact for very long. I'm still a mess and Lord have mercy, totally insecure…..:-(
My most prominent false positive is "stuff" – materialism. And it kills me because most people who know me wouldn't say I am materialistic. My biggest insecurities come from worrying what family, friends and my kids' friends parents think of where I live, what my house looks like, what car I drive, what stuff we have, what clothes I wear. My thoughts have been, "If I were of a certain "status" and had certain things, I wouldn't be so insecure." Yuck!
Our challenge is to allow God's truth to eclipse every false postive and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in his glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are! And the beauty of the Lord our God will be upon us.
I most identified with Saul. His jealousy caused him to act in crazy ways, "like an idiot", and toward people who were supposed to be friends. That's totally ME! I so related to the statement that "it's a common response to people we admire but who also make us feel threatened and insecure. it is the fear that they have something we don't and that makes us most insecure." Emotions morphing into complete instability. That has been me more times that I care to remember. I cringe at some of the stupid things I have said and done to family and friends b/c I feel threatened. I've lost more than one friendship b/c of these feelings and my behaviors.
And, the whole time I'm typing this I've thought to not put my town b/c I'm insecure that someone I know will see it but I guess the first step to this insecurity is typing it for God and not for others!
Michelle, 40s
King George, VA
Kristen- Rolling Meadows, IL – 20's – Married
My two main false positives are to do with money/covetousness and needing affirmation from others. I've tried to rid myself in the past of covetousness but never knew the root of it… this chapter blew my mind… praying that God would completely satisfy me in him knowing no false positive can ever satisfy me.
Challenge: to let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction and relationship.
I think the sentence that resonated most with me in chapter 4 was: "jealousy is always the result of a perceived thought." I know I have struggled with this many times… making something perceived not necessarily even said to mull over and over in my mind. Although perception is sometimes true I can't let it determine my every mood- may I grow more stable and secure in the Lord Jesus!
Most prominent false positive – those pesky 10 lbs! I don't like what I see when I look in the mirror and it effects how I view myself in other areas of my life.
Our challenge is to let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion (PLEASE LORD), reaction and relationship.
I identify with Moses. I don't feel capable and I fear making a mistake!
Karrie, 38
married
Brandon, MB, Canada
Please pray for me…this is sooo hard! I can just read a few pages at a time and then have to put it down. I'm sure the ENEMY would like me to just put it down for good, but I'm going to try real hard to fight through this.
Michelle
Grand Island, NE
40's
single (divorced)
My most prominent false positive….it was a little hard to nail down only one 🙂 My weight most definitely, and if I could please be so bold and pick two, financial security. I think both relate to my status as a single mom with not a lot of time for herself and the pressure to be sole provider. No excuses, just the reality right now.
The challenge: "To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship.
I LOVED Chapter 4! It is nice to know we are in good company with some Biblical greats. 😉 I can see a little of myself in several. I share Sarai's desperation, which has landed me right smack dab in the middle of where I'm at.
And since I didn't post for Week 1 – can I just say, Beth, you crack me up! I was laughing and crying so hard through the first two chapters that my friend had to go buy herself a copy to see what all the fuss was about. 🙂
Jackie, 40's, single, Versailles, KY
1. My most prominent false positive is financial security. I have totally bought into the lie that if I have enough money everything else will be okay.
2. "To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship."
3. I think I most identified with Moses because I often fill completely unqualified to do anything meaningful, not just for God but for anyone.
kae
fla
50
married
PFP – Hard to pick – if I had a supernuturing husband (probably a contradiction in terms), if I was super popular
About 6 months ago I had a strong sense God was telling me I resemble Saul in some areas. Insecure. Envious. Did things for the wrong reason – set up an altar (and not to God), made a rash oath that almost cost him his son, didn't follow God's instructions to kill all the Ameliktes (?sp). Samuel repeatedly counseled and warned him "you are little in your own eyes", but Saul, insecure Saul did what he did to build himself up in his own mind. THe final scene between Saul and Samuel where Samuel severs the relationship, and desperate Saul lunges and grabs at the hem of Samuel's gown – what pathos!! Anyway, Saul's insecurities have helped me to become more quickly aware of my own.
Jenny
20s
Married
Tallahassee, FL
Most Prominent False Positive: I had a tie… Number One is being popular (so sad to come to that realization, I REALLY thought I got over that once I left high-school). Number two is having a husband who is loving and affectionate.
Our Challenge: To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship.
Which Character from the Bible or Comment about him/her resonated most with me? – The comments about the meaning of Leah's childrens' names – that desperation to be loved by her husband. My situation is not the same in that my husband does not have two wives (technically) – it's just that sometimes it can feel like work might as well be!? I could definitely relate to her feelings of desperation for love from her husband… although I don't have kids yet either and if I did, I don't think I would name them any of those names!? LOL!
I think my false positive is confidence…because i'm fearful at every turn…thinking that something bad is going to happen. Especially in my husband and children.
I identify most with Paul. The feeling of inadequacy plagues me.
the challenge before us in Chapter 3 is this: To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship.
Harriet
40's
cleveland, GA
Flagstaff, AZ
20's
married
1. Prominent false positive: Appearance… subcategory Weight in particular
2. OUR CHALLENGE: To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly OVERTAKE OUR EARTHEN VESSELS until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship!
3. I identify most with LEAH and RACHEL (although more with the comment from Sarah and Hagar… I think it can apply to both)
"we naturally despise people whose company we are forced to share if we feel largely threatened"
I think I just know too much about the struggle of men so if a beautiful woman is in my husband's presence (especially repeatedly because she's a friend of mine or goes to our church/bible study) I see her as a threat.
Caroline
Wisconsin
60's married
1.My most prominent false positive is financial security as most of my married life has been a struggle to have needs met. Also I struggle with acceptance.
3. The Biblical figures I most resonate with are Leah and Rachael.Nothing like thinking God doesn't like you as well as He likes someone else.
I sooo desire to have victory over insecurity. I am getting older and need to have this happen soon. Also I sincerely want to be able to help others(younger women) overcome this.Thank you for sharing your heart in the book, Beth.
Lori
Mapleville, RI
50's
Married
1. Definately the weight issue. I think if I could just be as thin as some others life would be perfect! I mean life must be so much easier for them because they look so good and are so healthy! People find them so much more attractive, they always look so put together!!! (Gee do you really think I have an issue!)
2. To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship. To allow God's truth to eclipse every false positive, and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in His glorious relection we'll also see the treasure we are.
3. I most connected to Leah. So afraid that I won't be loved. That I will become invisible to others. That you fulfill a purpose but that you just don't quite measure up. My whole life it has caused me to overthink, overwork, try to "overdo" everything so I will become "Necessary". It is exhausting sometimes!
Debbie
30
Single
Indianapolis, IN
1. Marriage is my false positive. I often feel that if I was married I would know there was someone who loved me and chose me and then I would feel better about myself.
2. The challenge is to let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives out every emotion, reaction and relationship.
3. Rachel resonated the most with me. Why does God give everyone else what I want but He won't give it to me?
Melissa
30's
married
Georgetown, KY
1. My false positive? losing the proverbial ten, or fifteen. . .
2. I shake heaven's gate, begging God to allow his truth to eclipse my insecurity. I want to see myself as he sees me. (Although, I realize that my feeble earthly self could not handle the beauty that is me through his eyes.)
3. Though I always feel somewhat comforted by the failures of bible heavy weights, I must say that Paul both intrigues and frustrates me. Maybe because I see some of the inner struggle I wrestle with in his writings. He makes me mad sometimes, honestly. I think that is what makes me ultimately relate to him. I get mad at myself sometimes, too. haha
Angie
30's
Married
West Bend, WI
1. My false-positive would be popularity and credentials.
2. I would say I mostly resonate with Saul. I constantly finding myself being jeolous of others wishing I looked/had the personality/the brains etc. wishing I had what they had.
1. I would consider my "prominent false positive" to be my "chronic need for affirmation." Which includes wanting everyone to like me… and to be pleased with me… and to tell me about it. And even after that… to remind me, again.
2. "That, beloved, is our challenge. To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction and relationship. When we allow God's truth to eclipse every false positive and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in His glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are. And the beauty of the Lord our God will be upon us (Psalm 90:17 NKJV)." ~ Beth Moore
3. Moses. Exodus 4:13 was one of my scripture memory for last year's SSMT. I about fell over when I read it in the book… thinking that Beth must be reading my blog!
Sheri
Portland, OR
40's
Married
theleakingwindow.blogspot.com
Donna
Pemberville, OH
51
Married
1. False positive: if only I was 20 pounds lighter everything would be great in my life. 🙁
2. Challenge: To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of me increasingly overtake this earthen vessel until it drives my every emotion, reaction, and relationship.
3. I think it is Moses that I most relate to, though portions of almost all the others also…that part that thinks that despite the fact that God has done a mighty work of healing and restoration in me, I still feel like I am too damaged or just "not quite good enough" for Him to work in me to minister to others for His kingdom purposes. I would fail and disappoint Him.
Susan
Lawrenceville GA
50's
married
1. Most prominent false positive–my looks or image–I worry too much about what other people think. "If I could look and say or do everything just right then I would be accepted."
2. Challenge–"To let the healthy, utterly whole and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship."
3. I identify most with Moses–I understand his feeling of inadequacy that he might not could put his thoughts into words and be the speaker that God wanted him to be.
1. The title of this chapter resonates with me very strongly. "She Doesn't Look a Certain Way". All of my false positives that I hid behind, fell around my feet on May 15th 2001. That was the day I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I do not introduce myself to people I meet by saying, "Hi, I'm Andrea, I have MS." So I DON'T LOOK sick, it is a hidden, incurable, chronic illness. All my false positives, like being married to a great man (I am),I have a great personality, I am young, just 33 when I was diagnosed. I am thin and in good shape, I think I am good looking, a great mother. For crying out loud, I went on a FULL athletic scholarship for gymnastics to a Division One University and I trained for a completed a 26.2 mile marathon before, as I like to call it, my very unwanted houseguest arrived, MS. Feeling insecure is an understatement as to how I felt. Just to make my life even harder, I herniated a disc in my lower back, which was unbelievably painful. I was also thousands of miles away from any family because my husband is in the Air Force. I truly spent the next 2 1/2 years on the couch. I couldn't cook dinner for my family,clean,do laundry,shave my legs in the shower because I couldn't keep my balance. I am quite sure I wore the same pair of sweatpants for 2 1/2 years. With a major feeling of defeat I slowly succumed to admitting I needed help emotionally, spiritually and physically. First I got a cane, then a shower chair, then moved on to using a walker. The ultimate humbling experience was shopping for and getting a motorized scooter, so I could grocery shop and go to the mall and go on family outings that required a lot of walking, that I just could not do anymore. I have a handicap parking permit and feel guilty using it because I know people who don't know me, wonder if I have borrowed it from someone who is handicapped. I have had more than one nasty note, hand gestures and questions about whether it is my permit or someone elses. See, I DON'T LOOK A CERTAIN WAY. I find myself intentionally moving slower, limping a little to try and show these strangers, that I really DO need to park close to the store. This enables me to complete the errand and be able to walk back to the car and be able to drive home. I believe the hardest thing to deal with was some, not all, people's reactions when they find out what I deal with everyday. I have had people try and give me a compliment by saying something like this. "If anyone was to get this, it would be you because I know you're strong enough to handle MS." OR "You know the biggest crosses for the biggest 'hosses." After I pick my jaw up from the ground, I politely thank them, but what I would love to do is just scream, "I don't want this, I didn't ask for this to happen to me!!!!" Thanks for the vote of confidence, but some days it would be really nice to pull the covers up over my head, stay in bed and have one huge pity party for myself. Thankfully, I knew that I could run to my Savior and hold on tight and find refuge in the shadow of his wings. Now I hide behind my Savior, He has become my "positive, positive." He gets me through everyday, I rely fully on Him. I wake each morning thanking Him for the ability to get out of bed. One thing I say each morning is, "This is the day the LORD has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it." I have slowly improved physically, mentally and spiritually. God deserves all the praise I can give Him. I am now at the point and have been for quite awhile. I'll ask God, "Okay, I have this MS, now show me what you want me to do with this, to bring you glory?" Can I get an Amen!
I had to continue my entry.
2. This is my goal, to let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of me increasingly overtake my earthen vessel until it drives my every emotion, reaction, and relationship.
3. I most identify with Saul. My outside appearance says, she's not sick, but inside I am hiding in the baggage. MS has definitely taken away my secure feeling about myself.
Andrea- Great Falls, Montana- 40 something.
1. My two prominent false positives are financial security/more money and weight/body shape.
2. Definitely Moses! I closely relate to the sentiment, "O Lord please send somebody else to do it." I often feel I haven't changed enough, read the Bible enough, etc. to do the things in leadership he has asked me to do.
Erin
30s
Lubbock, TX
Married
Kathy
50's
Married
Albuquerque NM
1. My false positive is being thin.. always.
2. To let the Healthy utterly whole and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion,reaction,and relationship.
3. Definitely Moses. "you know I can't talk right. They won't listen… yeah that's it.
Emily
Oklahoma City
20s
Married
My most prominent false positive is living in one place. My Dad and now my husband both serve(d) in the Air Force, and I get so tired of feeling torn between "home" where I'd like to live and "home" where I am, because both are indeed home in my heart. I see others who've always lived in the same area–friends' children who aren't growing up away from their grandparents like I did and my girls are now doing. I relate a lot with Abraham, going where God called yet always longing to be settled. I have the constant reminder that this world is not my home-it is not meant to be. Yet there are still days when I long for that "security" here on earth.
I do long to face the challenge–that I will let God's truth and His security drive out every hint of false security in my heart.
Lisa
Wichita, KS
40's
Single
1. False positive – job certainty and financial success would make me feel secure.
2. Challenge – to let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our very emotion, reaction,and relationship.
3. I can relate most to Moses because he doubted himself and what God could do in and through him.
My most prominent false-positive — financial insecurity! I have wrestled with this monster all my life. If I just had enough money I could be happy. And this seeps into every other possible security. For example, if I had enough money, I could hire a personal trainer (better body image). If I had more money, I could buy really nice clothes. I could travel. You get the idea! And when I have money, I am terrified of losing it and never having it again. Some nights it wakes me up and leaves me breathless (and not in a good way). I am so tired of this fear.
Cathy
40's
Houston
Married
Lisa, 40's, Married, Georgia
My most prominent false positive is acceptance by my spiritual mentors and those who have taken on a parental role in my life since I lost my mother in 2001 and my dad in 1980.
Our challenge is to let the healthly, utterly whole , and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives out every emotion, reaction and relationship. We have to let God's truth eclipse every false positive in our lives.
I resonated most with the statement "insecurity lives in constant terror of loss. Insecure people are always afraid that something or somebody is going to be taken from them.
Tammie, 40's, Married, Columbia, MD
1. Based on Chapter Three, what tends to be your own "Prominent False Positive"?
At this particular point in my life I would have to say that my prominent false positive would be an attentive husband.
2. What is the challenge stated at the very end of Chapter Three?
To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of me increasingly overtake my earthen vessel until it drives my every emotion, reaction, and relationship. (as adapted by Tammie).
3. Based on Chapter Four, what Biblical figure (or statement about him/her) resonated with you most and why?
Leah had "given up on love. Now she'd just settle for an attachment." I wonder if perhaps I am at this point with my marriage? Settling for what I get from my husband, instead of what God says I deserve.
Michelle
Watauga, TX
months from 40
1. My false positive has to be: If he would only…. [Fill-in-the-blank]
Talk more… Listen more… Call me sweet names… Spend more time with me… If only…
2. To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drive our every emotion, reaction and relationship. When we allow God's truth to eclipse every false positive and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in His glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are. And the beauty of the Lord our God will be upon us. (Psalm 90:17 NKJV)
Elvira
Alberta, Canada
50's married
1. My own prominent false positive is financial security. I can't let people into my life because of feeling like a failure financially.
2. The challenge: " To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship." Yes!!!
3. I can relate most with Rachel's insecurity about children and the love of her husband.
Also the statement about Moses (p.52), and about people not fulfilling their destiny because of their own insecurities. Wow, that's me!