I wondered what John
Perritt would say in his book, Insecure:
Fighting Our Lesser Fears with a Greater One, being someone who is
very insecure. His little book is quite
worth the read.
Perritt notes that some of the content of this book was
given at conferences for Reformed Youth Ministries. In keeping with the audience first in mind,
this is a very readable book, though it is not easy – it is bound to make
anyone who suffers with insecurity a bit uneasy at times – but for good reason,
and with an antidote.
Perritt defines insecurity as being “self-focused” (19). Now don’t get your backs up.
Each chapter ends with
reflection/discussion questions and a prayer.
Insecurity – being self-focused comes from the lies that
dwell in our hearts (“did God say”) due to Original Sin and sin in our lives
(31).
Insecurity causes fear, judgmentalism, and jealousy. If you are unsure of this, just talk with
most people about theirs views about their social media (59).
Freedom comes in believing that we are hidden in Christ
(74), that we are created in God’s Image and for community – the Church (82).
“Our insecurities often move us to focus on self. So, a very helpful practice is getting our
eyes off of ourselves. Getting us to
stop focusing in the mirror and start looking out the window [seeing the
beauties of God through the Scripture]” (90, italics his).
The book ends with a reflection on when we should care about
what others think – that is, regarding our witness to Christ and His Gospel.
A second appendix with a quiz to see how social media is affecting
you.
And a third with Scriptures we can say to ourselves to
become secure in Christ.
Each chapter ends with reflections questions and a
prayer.
This book is well worth your purchase, for junior high
age and up – for anyone who has ever felt insecure and confesses Jesus as God
and Savior.
[This review appears on my blog,
Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]
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