Most people are insecure. It is surprising that many apparently secure people are insecure within. Often people suffer from two kinds of insecurity. One is very common and, is a little reasonable. The other is personal insecurity which is almost a psychological disorder. Presently, we will only discuss about this 'personal insecurity.'

Insecurity differs with inferiority complex in one basic factor. Usually people at lower levels suffer from inferiority complex; but insecure people are mostly found at higher levels. People who haven't achieved much in life feel inferiority complex when they come across others who have achieved much and stand tall. But some people at the top rungs of achievement feel insecure when they see a person at lower level climbing up the ladder. They are afraid that the climber may come up and upset them from their secure seats.

In fact, most of human strife originates from insecurity. If we analyse history, even certain wars were triggered off by insecurity. In the Bible we see a few characters who are perfect samples of insecurity. King Saul is perhaps the best example. When David killed Goliath Saul was happy that the threat to Israel was over. But when Saul saw people adoring David as a hero and praising him with songs, he got insecure. He knew in his inner being that if David was allowed to live freely, he would do more exploits, and the people would make him king one day. He even told Jonathan that David should be killed in order to ensure kingship to his descendants.

Throughout history this cycle has been repeated numerous times - the insecure leader trying to finish off upcoming leaders or even potential leaders. But why is a leader insecure? As a matter of fact, not all the leaders are insecure. Then why some leaders are insecure? In every case, insecure leader has a weakness or defect in his person or life. It can be a flaw in his character, or a doubt about his physical or mental abilities. Even it can be about his background or education or talents. In some case, a leader is insecure because he has something to hide, and he imagines if another leader comes up he would be exposed.

A leader without a weakness, defect or flaw need not be insecure. He has nothing to hide; he is fully aware and confident about his abilities. If a leader gets insecure, when another leader comes up the ladder, he surely has a weakness or flaw or something to hide. In early cartoon movies, there used to be a usual theme of two people donning the costume of a lion and showing tricks in circus. In the costume they appear like a normal lion. The cartoon shows the panic-stricken costume lion fleeing from the presence of a real circus lion. The real lion would be surprised why the other 'lion' is afraid of its presence. Insecure leaders are just like this costume lion. They don't have the real mettle inside them, and so they get scared and insecure when they come across a person or leader with real stuff who could outsmart them. But often, the 'insecure' leader is not having any defect actually. Only he thinks that he has some defect. It is only a feeling of insecurity.

Insecurity causes leaders to detect and 'destroy' potential threats to their leadership position. It is insecurity that causes some pastors to scheme and somehow oust able lay leaders from the church, so that the lay leader would not get a chance to grow and 'challenge' their position in the future. In every institution, like universities, schools, Bible colleges, companies, etc., and in every area of human activity like science, sports, politics, etc. you can see insecure leaders. Such leaders make their lives and the lives of others around them miserable. In the Bible we can see a lot of such insecure people. The first son of humankind, Cain, felt insecure when God was pleased with the sacrifice of Abel, and killed him, to eliminate the threat to his position of first-born. Joseph's elder brothers felt insecure because of the dream of Joseph. They put him in the pit and later sold to the Egyptians to ensure that they would never have to bow before their younger brother.

King Saul was insecure, and chased and hunted David to destroy him so that his kingship would be secure. He made his life miserable for 38 years. He also made the whole nation, the army and David miserable during that period. Later when Absalom usurped power, he wanted to destroy David, to make his throne secure.

In the New Testament, King Herod became extremely insecure when he heard from the wise-men of East about the birth of a king in his land. He got all children below two years massacred just to ensure the security of his throne! He himself was miserable, and he caused a great mourning all over the country. This is what happens when insecure leaders do something to secure their positions. Why should one make others also miserable? Is there a remedy?

Of course, the remedy is in God only. As David says, God is our refuge and strength. He is our security. It is God who appoints one as leader at a particular place. So no one can cast him down from his position. But when God appoints another person, no one can stop him from coming to that position. When Saul was hunting David, David was not insecure. He found his security in God. He was never insecure. That is why he did not harm Saul even when he got many chances. Saul was no threat for him to become king one day. He trusted God, and believed that if God wanted him to be king, then he need not feat any threats, not even the present king. Even when Absalom turned against him and wrested power, David was not insecure. David instructed his army not to harm Absalom for his own sake. Another incident is when Prophet Nathan pointed at David and accused him of adultery and murder. David did not feel threatened by the prophet or by the truth revealed by him. Because he knew that his security came from God. This is the key to personal security. Trust in God and His help. A leader may have many weaknesses, but he can trust God to help him overcome them. He need not hide anything. A leader can confess his mistakes or sins before God, and get a pure conscience.

These are the keys to personal security. Believe that it is God who has appointed you to one leadership position. So whatever happens, and whoever comes up, as long as God wants you to be in that position, nothing will happen. On the other side, if God wants you out of that position, then whatever you do or whoever you try to keep away, you can not hold on to that position. Secondly, you have to be transparent, and don't keep anything for hiding. Confess your mistakes, and be yourself. Trust in God and be secure. Then you will be happy, and others with you will also be happy. At least you need not make others miserable. If you have to leave one position, thank God for His help so far, and wait for God's guidance. Surely, God will take you to the best position which is prepared for you. You have to be faithful in whatever position you are in now, and God will raise you and appoint you in higher positions. So be happy, and be secure in the Lord. You need not scheme against anyone, even if he is covertly scheming against you. Leave the matter to God and let Him handle the situation. He will lead you in the right path into new heights. That will be a lasting and secure place for you. And you can sleep peacefully, safe and secure in God's faithful hands!