“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
Have you ever thrown away your confidence? One night I was cleaning our kitchen and found this little rubber thingy on our counter top. It wasn’t until after I threw it away that I realized it was the power button for our TV remote control. As I dug through the trash to find it, I sensed God showing me that’s how easily I throw away my confidence—without recognizing it.
It’s usually very subtle. Sometimes I’ll be thinking about something I want to do or sense God calling me to, and a feeling of uncertainty comes over me and whispers to my heart, You can’t do that. You’re not good enough. Out of the blue, I’ll just get that awful, insecure feeling.
Too many times in the past I’ve gone along with it, tossing my confidence into the trash without even thinking.
So, maybe I should ask again. Have you ever thrown away your confidence?
We throw away our confidence each time we say negative things to ourselves. We trash our security when we allow accusation and condemnation from others to define us. And it breaks God heart.
Can I share an important message and invitation with you? It’ll only take 3 minutes, but it’s the most important part of today’s post. And it’s part of today’s give-away, too. Please click the arrow to watch.
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Renee Swope – A Confident Heart Book Trailer from SoundPost Productions on Vimeo.
(If you’re reading this post via email, please click here to view my book trailer)
Can you tell I’m a little passionate about sharing this message with you. It’s because I want you to experience the freedom and confidence Jesus gave this girl – freedom I’d never known – freedom that came as I learned to live in the power and security of God’s promises!
I know what it’s like to feel stuck in a cycle of defeat. I know how much “hopeless” hurts.
As I wrote A Confident Heart, I looked back and saw a pattern in my thinking that led to the pattern of my doubting. And those patterns led me to trash my security and become paralyzed with self-doubt.
But over time, I learned that I could ask God to show me when I’m tempted to throw away my confidence and then help me throw away my insecurities instead.
• When self-doubt whispers, “I can’t do that. I’m going to fail and look foolish.” I’ve learned to throw away that lie away and hold onto this truth (sometimes I even say it out loud): “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6, NIV 1984)
• When self-doubt whispers, “I’ll never change.” I throw away that lie away and claim this truth: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
• When self-doubt whispers, “This is too hard for me. I don’t have what it takes to…” I toss that thought and hold onto this truth: “No, in all these things [I am] more than a [conqueror] through him who loved [me].” (Romans 8:37, NIV)
Oh friends, how I long for you to join me in living with A Confident Heart. I want your life to be transformed through the Truths God engraved on my soul to share with you in each chapter.
That is why we’re praying over each book and each person who reads it, asking Jesus to use His words on each page to change your life as you read them. To make hope rise again in your heart. To bring encouragement where discouragement has settled. And set you free from any and all cycles of doubt and defeat so you can live with A Confident Heart!
Will you pray with me? Lord, I want to become a woman with a confident heart in Christ. Will you help me recognize when I throw away my confidence, and remind me to throw away my insecurities instead? I want to persevere in Your truth so that when I have done Your will, I will receive what You have promised. When doubt or insecurity tells me I can’t do something, I will remember that all things are possible to her who believes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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A Confident Heart Give-Away
Enter to win 3 copies of A Confident Heart as well as a gift card and my message, “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence” on CD- by clicking on “Share Your Thoughts” below. I’d love to know one thing in the book trailer or in my P31 devotion that you could identify with, also is there someone or somewhere you’ll share today’s post? We’d love for others to hear about A Confident Heart through you! And to make it easy, there are “Tell A Friend” buttons just below this post.
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Last week’s winners of the “Contagious Confidence” winners
which include a copy of “A Confident Heart” along with “Confident Heart” sticky notes that have quotes and promise from my book and Starbucks gift cards are: Kelli Wommack, Debra and Stephanie Melton. We’ve got your email from your comments so we’ll be in touch to get your address.
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Such an encouraging article for such a discouraging time of my life. Just like God! Thank you so very much!
One of the first things that jumped out at me, was “Are you afraid to do things, because you lack confidence”. I have been looking into going back to school (college) to earn a Certificate and Associates Degree to be a Medical Assistant. I wasn’t very good in math while in High School, and in my college years, I really struggled. One of the requirements to complete this degree is to take a class in Algebra, as well as a class in Chemistry. Whoa….. can I do this? Am I smart enough?… these were the questions that plagued me as the Admissions Director took me on a walk through of the college. I felt my heart beating extra fast, and felt my confidence begin to shatter. I really needed to see this video book Trailer, and would be so blessed if I were to win a copy of the book.
God Bless
I throw away my confidence each time I feel negative thoughts regarding my reaction to life choices. It upsets my whole day and feelings about myself. I try so very hard to stay in tune with my Lord’s direction and help for my thoughts but it repeats so very often in my mind causing lack of confidence!! Give it to God and let Him be in charge not humaness.
Wednesday was a very difficult day for me. I have recently felt called of God to start a ministry to single women and since that time have been inundated with “you can’t” thoughts and overwhelming moments of fear. I know God has called me to this and thereby will give me the strength, direction, wisdom, etc. that I need, but now, more than ever, I also believe there is an enemy fighting God’s plan with all of his might. The battle in my mind has been exhausting. Around lunchtime I repeated Scripture back to the Lord asking him to please help me to feel his presence with me as he had started to feel so distant. When I went back to my office I read the email from Proverbs 31 “Don’t throw away your confidence”. It was my answer to prayer. It was exactly what I needed at the exact time that I needed it. Today I went out and bought note cards to write out the verses to combat the negative thoughts you wrote about in the email. Thank you so much for being the instrument God used to speak to me when I needed to hear his voice.
I would like to enter for a book. I am a mom of three and struggling with low self esteem, no confidence, worrying what others think of me, feeling worthless. I have got to the point of not going to church as often just because I leave there feeling worse that I am not doing good enough. I am going to counseling every two weeks and have a good friend that talks to me about God. I am just to far down to get out and need a little pick me up. I want to enjoy my children and husband more. I don’t want to rely on medicine to make it through the day anymore.
I most identified with the part that talked about never being good enough….I think women in general, as well as myself personally, greatly struggle with this issue. I can’t wait to read this book – it’s on my “to read” list.
Thank you for letting me know that I’m not alone in my lack of confidence. Can’t wait to read your book 🙂
(To make hope rise again in your heart. To bring encouragement where discouragement has settled. )this statement in your book spook to my heart, my son Chris went to heaven in 2006 from a drunk driver coming through our roof ,and i have struggled with pts from the wreck and with feeling encouragement and hope even though i am saved and so was my son.
I can relate to so much of what you said in your book trailer! But the one thing that hit me right between the eyes was when you could see the shadow was when you turned away from the light! How true that is when it comes to our self-doubt! We start to doubt ourselves, and allow others opinions over shadow us when we take our focus of the Light. Such an awesome insight! I cannot wait to read the book!
I too am a victim of self-doubt but I want to be free to live in God-confidence. I am looking forward to “A Confident Heart.”
I haven’t been reading your devotionals long, but I am enjoying them so much. Seems like so many of them are written just for me!! I love sharing them with friends, and I know God is working to draw me closer to Him and is stripping away the layers of the world that have grown around my soul…like thick, ugly layers of paint stripped from a beautiful piece of wood carved by the Master. I look forward to being fully “restored”. Thank you.
Renee,
I could totally relate to how self-doubt led you to miss out on many things…that has been my whole life. Even with your giveaway, I thought to myself, “Why try, I won’t win. Why bother? There’s nothing special about me or anything I could possibly say.” After an hour of battling with myself, I’m finally clicking on the “Post Comment” button!
What can I relate to?? All of it! (smiles) I have many times doubted the ability to be a good mother to my children, though I have a great mother. I have had doubts of my husband truly loving me, though he continually shows his love. I have even doubted that God could truly love me, though He proves His love time and time again.
I look forward to reading your new book! Thank you for your ministry.
I need some God-fidence. Being a single mom and trying to be a great example for my kids is hard and seems like the world gets me down. I need to learn to lean on God more and be that great example to my kids. Praise God for you.
I am looking forward to getting a copy of your book and letting God restore me. I have had some things happen over the last three years that have shattered my confidence in myself and have shaken my relationship with my Lord and Savior. I have been working on rebuilding my relationship with Christ and feel the Lord drawing me to Him.
I need to break free from people pleasing. The only one I want to please is God.
I am working through the book on my own and keeping a journal (which I have never done before). I feel that I really need this book right now as I have no confidence and I am going to school to finish my Bachelor of Social Welfare degree, and need the confidence to do well. I might pass a copy to my mom, who struggles with her own insecurties.
I identify with most of the devotional, especially fear of failure and being criticized. I could definitely use all the coaching I can get in being confident!
I haven’t been able to check out your trailer yet as the sound on my computer isn’t working, but I am so excited to see that your book is out and that I’ll be able to get a copy soon! I’ve grown already from your 7 day doubt diet and am really looking forward to reading your book! Thank you for sharing your passion for seeing us live free and confidently! It’s contagious!!
Praying blessings on you as you pray for each of us!
Caty :O]
Hello Renee,
I love to read your devotionals that you sent out. They are very inspirational and encouraging. Howeve,r this one on “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence” stirs my soul deeply. Years ago my confidence level dropped tremendously. It has taken me years to rebuild and I am still carrying on. Knowing that someone else shares in the same area makes me feel that I can persevere as well. God bless you for sharing with others. God is using you in a mighty way to reach others.
Be Blessed,
Doris