Insecure people tend to read things into words, actions, or situations that aren't even there. What difference does it make what someone else thinks about you?
As the year two thousand began, statistics revealed that the United States was home to more than one hundred thousand citizens over the age of one hundred.

Interestingly, a study of their longevity revealed that they hadn't necessarily eaten healthy, taken vitamins, exercised on a regular basis, lived in a moderate climate, or any of the other suggestions we've been given to stay healthy and live long lives.

Some of them hadn't really taken very good care of their bodies at all. One thing they had in common, though, was that they hadn't allowed anxiety, worry, and intimidating fear to consume them! Isn't that interesting?

Insecure people worry all the time. But that's not what the Word says to do. It says:

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of the God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Phil. 4:6-7)

People worry about everything—many without realizing that God's plan for us includes the ability to live peaceful lives.

My relationship with the Lord has brought me so much peace and enjoyment. I had to learn to let go of some things that tried to disrupt my peace, but once I realized that I had a choice to be either peaceful or nervous and upset, I chose peace. Who wouldn't rather have peace?

The devil knows that worry and anxiety are tormenting, so he tries to see to it that we don't run out of situations and circumstances that have potential to create chaos.

It seems as though when people think they have run out of things to worry about, the first thing they do is worry about what someone thinks about them. Is he mad at me? She doesn't like me. What do they think of me? I wasn't asked to the get-together. What am I going to do?

Insecure people tend to read things into words, actions, or situations that aren't even there. What difference does it make what someone else thinks about you? If they really were thinking evil of you, they wouldn't want you to know it because they are aware that they shouldn't be thinking those things anyway.

The insecure person worries about little things that most people don't even think to worry about. And it seems that women are especially tempted in this area. Will other people like my hair this way? What color should I dye it?

I found two gray hairs and immediately started thinking about dyeing my hair! Thank God, I did not think about what anyone else would say about it, but insecure women would have worried about that. They need to get over it and realize that God made them the way they are. He gave them their personality.

Freedom from insecurity and intimidation involves a decision in your heart that fear, worry, and anxiety have no place in your life in any way, shape or form.

First Peter 5:7 reminds us that we can cast all of our care upon Him. Why? Because He cares for us. If you study that word cast, it literally means, "to throw off." I really like the The Amplified Bible's translation of this scripture:

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
(1 Peter 5:7 AMP)

Source: Conquering Intimidation by Kate McVeigh
All rights reserved. Used by permission.