I've had so much fun hearing back from many of you through email and even connecting with some of you in person. Quite a few of you have said that you are reading the book, that you love it but you couldn't help yourselves and that you have already read ahead! That's hilarious. And I'm with you.
You know...I have no expectations with this. There aren't really any rules. My biggest desire is just to walk through this book together and face whatever the Lord brings out for us. And my eyes are filling up with tears here but it's not because I think you need me to do that for you. It's because I want you to be here with me.
You see, insecurity is a terribly lonely place. And now that I've realized insecurity has more than one face....I've been noticing it everywhere in my life and part of me understands that this is really good so that Jesus can begin healing me of it. The other part of me just hates it because just seeing my insecurities actually makes me feel more insecure! Does that make sense? Anyway...I don't like admitting stuff like that.
So here we go. Here are Beth's questions from Chapter One and Chapter Two. (I know, I know...I only told you to read up to chapter One...sorry...but I have a feeling most of you already read past it anyway!)
1. Read the Introduction, Chapter One, and Chapter Two. Our first question is based on Chapter One: When was the last time you came face-to-face with our gender’s massive struggle with insecurity? Describe the setting.
2. This question is based on Chapter Two: what part of the definition or description of insecurity resonated most with you and why? (from Page 17)
For those of you who don't have the book yet, here is the definition of insecurity on page 17:
"Insecurity refers to a profound sense of self-doubt--a deep feeling of uncertainty about our basic worth and our place in the world. Insecurity is associated with chronic self-consciousness, along with a chronic lack of confidence in ourselves and anxiety about our relationships. The insecure man or woman lives in constant fear of rejection and a deep uncertainty about whether his or her own feelings and desires are legitimate."
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Sisters...I can't tell you how much it means to me to do this with you. You are a true blessing in my life.
" Thank you so much Jesus for these precious women. I love each one."
Julie
1. Well, where do I start? I've been staring insecurity in the face all week! For starters...and I really hate to admit this because I never thought it would bother me and I find it actually embarrassing to admit, but for some stupid reason turning 40 has made me really anxious! I've been noticing things that I normally don't pay much attention to...spots on my face, creases on my face...my hair is annoying me, my jeans are annoying me....Oh Lord, help me to get over it! Bless the 40's!
ReplyDelete2. I resonated most with chronic self-consciousness and anxiety about our relationships. Oh and self-doubt and whether her own feelings and desires are legitimate. I can't hardly stand it if I think I hurt someone and it is really hard for me to let stuff like that go. I think the absolute worst part I struggle with is self-consciousness though...I feel like I need to keep everything together and that I can't drop the ball. Speaking of 40's...I am getting older and so I can see where God has been working in my life over the years and I have been growing through some of these things but the bottom line is that the roots are still there, I can see them, and I want Jesus to cut them out.
Julie
you are beautiful Julie! thanks for sharing your journey (and emails). i haven't got the book but i guess i'd fall under the insecurity category of self-doubt within God's plan for my life. so maybe i will get the book to journey along (...albeit late). thanks for sharing from the inside out :) may God bless you sister!
ReplyDeletemarci
well, all this talk about insecurities...thought i better get the book, and think i should read it with my teenage daughters - who knows what we'll learn about each other and i'm excited to discover again how God intended for us women to live....so free ..so alive....so secure in Him...
ReplyDeleteJourneying with others makes the road so much more fun thanks for the invite along...
I realized reading these chapters that the questions that pop up in my mind during times of 'insecurity' are valuable keys to what Jesus is wanting to free me from and areas He wants to heal in me. Yesterday I made plans with an old friend who lives out of town to come visit us on Friday... and today I had to email her back and tell her it wasn't going to work because I needed to honor something else I had committed to... the question that popped in my head was "Will she be really disappointed in me and have I hurt her feelings?" and I'm with you, Julie, I do not like hurting others feelings. I want to grow in asking Jesus what really is at the root of the questions that fill my thoughts that push me into the self-doubt, uncertainty, and fears that Beth talks about. Looking forward to the journey together. Doretha
ReplyDelete1) So, I'm supposed to pick just one time? Just one? hmmm well, I guess the last time I felt insecure was just a while ago, sitting in front of my computer. I'm the most insecure about the way I look, measuring myself agains the way other girls look. I was watching a Rascal Flatts music video with a girl that was going to go surfing. Needless to say it didn't help my view of myself, sitting in a chair in my sweats. It's like a knee-jerk reaction to immediately compare myself to the girl in the video.
ReplyDelete2) The part that resonated the most with me was the chronic self-consciousness. I've been self conscious for definitely longer than three months. I know that I've gotten better, but I have to watch myself and make sure I don't let my thoughts go down the wrong path.
I'm also not very confident about my gifts or abilities. If I hear coworkers talking about how somebody messed up on something, I instantly think it's me. Generally it isn't, but there's always that twinge of fear that I screwed up and it's my fault. I really don't like making mistakes. I end up feeling stupid.
I love writing, I love creating stories (or blogs) and finding words to express what I want to say. But, while I love doing it, I also read other peoples writings and compare them with mine. It's a whole big comparison and, frankly, it's annoying. Which is why I'm reading this book :P
I am really looking forward to God working and seeing what he (with the help of Beth) is going to be doing!