• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Candidly Christian

Real Women. Real Life. Real Faith.

  • Blog
    • Most Recent
    • The Gospel
    • Faith
    • Prayer
    • Self Worth
    • Anxiety
    • Chronic Pain
    • Marriage
    • Parenting
  • Resources
    • Candid Books
    • Free Resources
    • Recommended Resources
    • Resources For Christian Bloggers
      • Blog Post Checklist
      • Christian Link-Ups
  • Scriptures to Live By
    • Bible Verses for When the Struggle is Real
      • Bible Verses for When You Feel Worthless
      • Scriptures for When Your Heart is Hurting
      • A Scripture To Trust God When You’re Afraid
      • Scriptures for When You Feel Inadequate
      • 3 Scriptures to Find Balance in an Unbalanced World
      • 5 Bible Verses for When You Feel Alone
      • 6 Bible Verses to Read When You Feel Anxious
      • 5 Life Gives You Lemons Verses
    • Scriptures for When You Need Help
      • Scriptures to Help You Overcome Self-Pity
      • Bible Verses to Help You Memorize Scripture
      • 5 Bible Verses to Help You Sleep
    • Scriptures to Live By When You’re Living for Jesus
      • Bible Verses About Hope
      • Bible Verses About God’s Love
      • 5 Bible Verses on Patience
      • Scriptures for the New Year
  • Learn More
    • About Our Ministry
    • Meet The Candid Gals
    • Contact Us
    • Belief Statement
    • The Legal Stuff
  • Get Involved
    • Join Our Prayer Team
    • Join Us For A Candid Anthology
    • Be Our Guest
    • Become a Candid Gal
    • Contact Us
  • Why Jesus?
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Authentically Insecure

Authentically Insecure

Candid Guest · October 17, 2020 · Leave a Comment

When I published my very first Christian fiction novel four years ago, I had no idea what a roller-coaster ride I’d just jumped onto. Cue late-night writing binges when I felt so stoked to finally be doing what I always dreamed of, followed by days spent in bed when book sales dipped and the voices in my head started whining, “Doesn’t anybody like me?”

There were months that passed and I wondered if I should give up writing altogether and weeks spent battling the terror that comes from realizing your words are out there for anyone to read, dissect, and potentially hate.

I wish I could tell you that I’ve arrived at some fairy-tale mental paradise where all I do is write and never spend an ounce of my energy worrying about what people will think of me or how well my next books will be received, but that would be a terrible lie.

Over a dozen novels later, I still struggle.

Have you struggled with these 3 common reasons for insecurity? Click To Tweet

3 Common Reasons for Insecurity

We don’t all write Christian fiction, but whatever role God’s called us to fulfill and whatever dreams He’s place on our hearts, chances are we’ll face mental roadblocks we have to overcome. Do you struggle with any of these common insecurities?

1.) Fear of Criticism

I knew I wanted to be an author from the time I was a little girl. I still remember the day my dad pulled me aside and said, “You know, maybe writing isn’t the best idea. You’re so sensitive that I’m not sure you could handle the criticism.”

He wasn’t knocking my writing skills, by the way. (To his credit, he’d always encouraged me in that area.) But he knew that writers have things like negative reviews or bad sales months to worry about, and he didn’t think I could take it.

Know what? He was almost right. Until I realized that I’m writing to please God. Does that mean that poor reviews don’t bother me? I wish! But when I struggle with that every-annoying do they really like me question, I remember that I’m not in this for praise from others.

Whether you’re a mom worried about others judging you for the way your kids dress or act, a business woman afraid about getting passed over in a job promotion you deserve, or an entrepreneur who feels like her self-worth is tied up in her sales — or just the woman in church who feels like everyone else around her is prettier, happier, skinnier, or better off than you — remember that God’s the one we’re supposed to please. It’s His opinion that matters, and I happen to know for a fact He thinks you’re pretty swell.

3 common reasons for insecurity

2.) Envy

I never thought about envy having its roots in insecurity until lately, but it’s true. If I were completely content and confident with the novels God has allowed me to write, would I be comparing myself to others? Would I be wishing I had their level of success?

If I weren’t insecure in my own looks (or family situation, or job, or home, or whatever it is I find myself insecure about) would I compare myself to others?

While insecurity might be a mental roadblock to overcome, jealousy is a sin to confess and repent from. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. I need to ask God to forgive me each time I find myself falling into the envy trap.

When I’m able to rejoice in the joys and successes of others instead of seething in silent jealousy, it can help me overcome my own insecurities as well.

3.) Imperfections Exposed

This one’s huge! Especially as a pastor’s wife, I feel like I’m expected to have the picture-perfect home with a perfect-picture family.

My insecurities regarding my own imperfections can be crippling and can keep us from serving the Lord. I don’t want to invite the new family over. What if they think the house is too cluttered?

I can’t lead singing. My voice isn’t good enough.

In the Christian fiction world, there are two mindsets when it comes to characters. Some authors and readers prefer characters who serve as allegories for the victorious Christian life. These people act like examples of the faith that Christians can learn and be encouraged by.

My writing, on the other hand, deals with messy believers who struggle with messy sins (yes, even some of the “big ones,”) characters who don’t have it all together even by the end of forty chapters.

In a way, I find it freeing to write about people whose lives are as broken and imperfect as my own going through struggles that I’ve dealt with (and probably still do).

Do You Ever Feel Insecure?

Whatever it is you’re feeling insecure about today, remember that you can take all those cares to the Lord, and He will shoulder them for you. You don’t have to face them alone, and you also don’t have to try to present the picture-perfect Christian life. Inviting others to see your struggles (or your wrinkles or your dirty piles of laundry, etc.) can encourage those around you embrace a life of deeper authenticity and freedom as well.

What about you? In what areas of your life do you experience insecurities? How has God already helped you overcome some of these?

Invite others to see your struggles (or your dirty piles of laundry) #embracefreedom Click To Tweet
Alana Terry - Beauty from Ashes

P.S. If you’re interested in reading my newest release, a Christian women’s fiction novel about an imperfect couple confronted with a medically fragile baby struggling for life in the NICU, request your free copy of Beauty from Ashes at www.alanaterry.com/free-book.


About the Author

Alana Terry is a pastor’s wife, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

Alana is also the co-founder of the Praying Christian Women Podcast with Candid Gal, Jaime Hampton. Praying Christian Women is a ministry committed to encouraging believers to draw closer to God and change the world, one prayer at a time. Find out more by visiting PrayingChristianWomen.com.

Related Posts

  • What Would I Do If I Wasn’t Afraid?
  • 4 Powerful Prayers to Pray for Unity
  • Praising God During The Struggle
  • What It Means To Be Fearfully Made
  • Tilling with Gratitude

About Candid Guest

CandidlyChristian.com is powered by a group of bloggers known as the Candid Gals. Our mission is simple, to candidly share what real faith looks like in real life. Would you be interested in writing a guest post for us or joining our team?
Click here to find out how!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Let's Get Candid

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Love the Sinners
  • 6 Things to Consider When You Are at a Crossroad
  • Running Our Race
  • How Do You Embrace The Day?
  • Cast Your Care

Recent Videos

Weekly LinkUps

Salt and Light Grace and Truth

More Christian Link-Ups

Candid Conversations

Click here to find out more.

Our Most Popular Posts

  • 5 Verses to Help You Overcome Self-Pity
  • 5 Bible Verses for When You Feel Worthless
  • 3 Steps to Overcome Laziness
  • My (winning) Battle with Health Anxiety
  • Confessions of a Woman in Ministry

Support Our Ministry

Christian Books
Prayer Team
Visit Heather's Etsy Shop
Support Candidly Christian
Please note that CandidlyChristian.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
Click here to find out more

Who’s Behind The Scenes?

Heather Hart
Candidly Christian was founded by Heather Hart; an internationally best-selling and award-winning author with a passion for the gospel of Jesus and a heart for women’s ministry. Her goal isn’t to teach women how they can do better, be better, or achieve perfection, it’s to point them to Jesus.

Click here to learn more about Heather Hart and the rest of the Candid Gals.

Posts by Author

Catherine Wilson
Heather Hart
Jaime Hampton
Mariel Davenport
Sarah J Callen
Sheila Schweiger-Rhodes
Sherry Chamblee
Stephanie M. Carter
Valerie Riese
See Your Name Here
Candid Guests

Our Favorite Planner

The Hope Planner
Affiliate Link

Candidly Christian Has Been Featured On…

Grace and Truth Link-Up Christian Blogger Directory

Top Christian Women Blog

© 2016–2022 | Privacy | Home

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT