Probably all of the saints struggled with insecurity at various times, especially when they were younger or newer to the Faith…St Augustine (“Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee, Oh Lord.”, St Therese of Lisieux (“read her Story of a Soul”), Padre Pio, St Francis. They may have struggled with insecurities at first and overcome them, OR they may have given up the struggle with their own insecurities and just given their life over to God.
God doesn’t seem to be looking for perfect people. Check out those 12 apostles: insecure, agitated, doubting, fearful, denying, at first…Then God took them into a new way to live.
Fill your soul with God and all of his lovely gifts to us. Fill your mind with stories of brave people who started out shy, timid, insecure. Work on mastering physical skills in your work, in sports, in leisure. If the insecurity goes away and comes back, don’t be dismayed. Make it your friend. You don’t have to “marry” it; just accept it and try to move away from it. Shyness, insecurity, self-doubting are sometimes afflictions like a nervous tic that can go away with time, better nutrition, and good counselling.
Personally, I loved my mom but she was so darn secure that I felt very inadequate and hopeless around her at times. She just did not seem to understand what my insecurity felt like. When I met other older people who admitted to struggling with insecurity, it was a great blessing! Especially if they were performers, public speakers, clergy–it was a revelation to realize that strong people can be very vulnerable…
Volunteer to work with kids or older folk. Some will be more insecure than you but they will look up to you and feel safer because they will see that you understand them. You can create an environment of security for others and learn about yourself in the process.
