I Just Want to Be Secure

I am insecure. I don't appear to be. I look confident, and capable, and maybe sometimes I even come across in a negative way. But really, I'm insecure. I have this need for other people's approval, and no matter what I'm doing, inevitably at some point I will be having conversations in my head with whoever it is that would come to mind in that particular situation. These conversations never even happen! Greg was sharing with me that on Sunday, Matt was talking about our need for approval. It's like an addiction - this need that is in so many of us. Lots of us deny, either to ourselves or others, that we even feel the need for it, but it's there. It drives us. I would say that for the most part I've been able to overcome those feelings enough to do things for the right reason, but I just don't even want to go there in my mind, ya know? So how do I overcome this? I can fight it, and physically do the right thing, and make my choices/actions based on God's will and approval, BUT the mental and emotional battle is still there. I just want to be free of it all. It's good that I've grown enough to continue to do the right thing even if I feel insecure and lack of approval, but that's not enough. I don't even want to go down that road in the first place.

God, please remove this insecurity from me, this need for approval. I will continue to make the choices, and take the steps that are in direct opposition to this negative mindset. But I need You to help me as I do this. How will I get free from this? My only answer is You. Please don't leave me here. I need you. I love you.