“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.
i thank God everyday for p31 website. i know there is something written for me or someone else that needs what is shared on this website. i also can definitely identify with not being good enough.Today at work my boss told me where i do not measure up and the last person that had the job ,did not have that problem. I appreciate and thank you for writing this book and then sharing a small part of it on this site. it let me know Gold is still near. During my time with God in the am,i read ,pray,all is well. by the end of the day,or week,i am in big time doubt about myself
I just read your devotional on Proverbs 31 Ministries titled, “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence” for August 3, 2011. The section where you talk about when self-doubt whispers, “I’ll never change” I totally broke down and cried. I am so thankful you shared the scripture Phillippians 1:6. Thank you so much for that. It really hit home with me!
This book is one my soul desperately longs for, and spritually I know I need it. One way or another I will have a copy of this book. I have spent my summer in a new season of trust ~ trusting God, and I still succomb to so much doubt in me, which in turn makes me doubt everything.
I loved your trailer! I have been struggling with my confidence lately as God has been putting me into more leadership roles at my church. I start to get that feeling that I too will disappoint someone. I can not wait to read your book & let God restore & build up my God-fidence!
I received this book this week. I hope to be able to offer a copy to win on my website. I can’t wait to start it after I did the 7-Day Doubt diet. Thanks!
HI Renee! Reading your blog entry ‘Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence’ is a great blessing to me as I am currently struggling on the issue of self-confidence, sense of purpose and trust. I really want to read your book. Will it be made available in the Philippines? I hope to find a local bookstore where I can buy it.
Wow…God is so amazing! I shared with a friend last week that while I will turn 5o years old in a little less than a year, I am refusing to carry a life-time of self-doubt and fear with me over that threshold. It’s not what God intended for us as heirs to the Throne! So my prayer is for God to reveal those places and show me the way out. And then I read your devotional just now. Thank you, God! And thank you, Renee! Also, my pastor’s wife is looking for material for a women’s bible study, and I will absolutely suggest this!
I am a constant self-doubter and worrier. I am looking forward to reading your book and replacing those doubting thoughts with God’s Word.
Thanks for all of your encouragement and your hard work on the Lord’s behalf.
This devotional, spoke directly to me. I have lived my whole life with a lack of confidence and fear of failure. I, of course, hide this very well. I shared this recently with one of my closest friends and she was very surprised. I know that God has me going a certain direction and I’m still racked with fear of failure and lack of confidence. I know that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. So I’m taking a deep breath and stepping forward. I would enjoy reading this book; I know that it would be a great help in my struggle.
I am entering a new chapter in life, and God is calling me to do awesome things for Him. My insecurities have always held me back, and I have always felt unqualified to do what I know I am called to do. I am looking forward to reading this book. It’s time for a change!
Love it, Renee! May many people’s lives be changed!
I just want to say that ironically, I’m actually encouraged reading others’ comments about how much they doubt themselves, turn positive comments into negative, etc….because I’ve always felt like I was alone in my struggles. I’ve made it one big negative in my life, in fact—the idea that no one is as “messed up” as I am in my thinking, and beaten myself up for it over and over. I would love to read your book—based on what I’ve read/seen so far, I really think you have a message that will truly touch many hearts! Thank you for being so honest and transparent about an issue most of us are too afraid to talk about!
I just got a email about your book and it sounds like God is trying to tell me something. I am going through some hard times in my life right now. Confidence that is what I need, I know I know a lot of things but sometimes I just feel like I cannot do it. It is hard to explain. I have left my job and started another one and it is really scarey. I know I need the help of my God to do this. I wish I had the money to buy your book right now but I will have to save up to do it. I dont get paid much. God is having me work with children and I know I have to show them I am confident in myself so they can grow up to be strong confident adults. I pray all the time for God to show me the way. And this looks like a way. Thank you so much for helping us. God Bless.
The thing that stands out to me most is how easily I throw out my confidence. I do it over and over all day long and find myself defeated and disengaging from the beautiful moments of life each day gives. It is really sad. I was surprised to see Hebrews 10:35-36, I don’t think I ever noticed it before and yet there it is, plain and simple. Thank you Renee for listening to God’s call on your life and following it through. Thank you for sharing your heart with the millions who will surely read your book and be blessed by the message. I pray God’s richest blessing for you!
What really resonates with me is telling myself things that shatter my confidence. I have two beautiful daughters but I hear them say things about themselves that they have heard me say. It is so heartbreaking to walk with little confidence but even worse to hear it repeated in my daughters. I can’t wait to get your book and allow God to use it to change my confidence through Him because then I can model that God confidence for my daughters (ages 16 and 11). It’s time to break the cycle of woman walking defeated rather than walking confident in who God has created us to be!!
Thank you Renee for being such and encouragement! Blessings 🙂
THANK YOU for writing a book that I believe everyone could use sometime in their life> Specifically, I have been praying for my daughter who turns 19 this month who has had her heart crushed by a relationship, and I have noticed her confidence has been deminished. I plan on buying your book so that I can read it first in hopes to find ways to help her along, and to be an encouragement to her. Blessings to you for taking God’s lead in writing this helpful book 🙂
I have had many years of things I have had doubts about especially my self-worth and my ability to do things. God has shown me where some of these feelings have been wrong but Satan knows that is one of my weak spots and he loves to bring up things that raise doubts. In 2007 I got very sick and was in the hospital for a while. Since then Satan has made sure to give me insecure feelings in things I would like to independent again but it is so much easier to depend on other people to do some things for me. I have been put in a situation now where I must make some adjustments or not do some things. I know God will give me the strength to do whatever He wills for my life.
Renee, thank you for your willingness to share from your heart and be led by God to encourage others.
Renee,
How timely your book is for this season of my life. Do you know, just writing on a blog can bring feelings of self-doubt for me? My desire is to walk in God-confidence, believing and resting in who God called me to be in Him! Your devotion so ministers to my spirit today. I have been fighting the lies these past couple of days of words said to a friend because of insecurity and self-doubt. How my heart hurts. Stop believing the lies and stand upon Father God’s Word and promises!! Not only does believing lies open doors for the enemy in our lives, but affects all those around us. My family has been walking in a spiritual battle for quite some time, however, “No, in all these things [I am] (we are) more than a [conqueror] through him who loved [me] (us).” (Romans 8:37, NIV)
Praying the heart of my spiritual eyes are completely open, to know all my Father has for my life to bring Him glory in my actions and words.
Thank You, Renee for sharing your heart and life…ministering God’s truths to us!! His Word brings healing and wholeness. Oh how our Father LOVES us!!
Abundant Blessings!!
I identified most with the statement, “I’ll never change”. I’ll be going along good and then slip and it’s not a pretty thing. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book. I will share with my friend Jennifer.
I like the idea of when the negative thinking begins to turn my thoughts around with God’s promise…this is something I would love to turn around and conquer. I printed your Scriptures today to use as a tool.
I
Thank you so much for writing this book, I can’t wait to read it! I related to the many ways that self-doubt disguises itself.
Renee, it is great to see all the comments in regards to your book…having read it myself I know God will use it in BIG ways!! Your devotion today hit me in a big way as well! Two weeks into life with a new baby and dealing with the lack of sleep, crazy hormones and change, you reminded me that I too have been throwing away my confidence. Rather than beating myself up, words from your book come back and God reminds me that I am (and always will be) a work in progress! I’m praying for you now Renee that satan will stay away during this exciting time and God will continue to fill you with His confidence and work through you for His glory!! Love you much, Jill
Thank you so much for sharing God’s leading to write this book. I’ve struggled with this and was thinking I was doing pretty well. But you ask the right questions; questions that make me realize that I’ve won some battles but there is still a war to wage. Thanks so much for sharing. Carrie
Sounds like just what I need!
Renee, I have felt God leading me to share with others about my own life-long struggle (I’m 55) with self-doubt. Love that term – so much better than low self-esteem, no self confidence, etc. It really nails it for me! Thinking that God would even want me to facilitate a study, perhaps. You have no idea how threatened all of this makes me feel to just consider it. Your words are just the words God is using to affirm these things in my heart and to follow through and see where God leads.
I can feel like the Queen of Self Doubt at times and I hate the crippling effect that it has had in my life and consequently in others. My struggles started as a little girl and have been with me even through a continuing wonderful marriage (36+years), my husband’s college and seminary days, and his ongoing ministry as a pastor. His teaching on GRACE while going through the book of Romans about 5 years ago gave a whole new perspective to my walk with Christ and how He views me. From Day One of our marriage he has been my biggest encourager in leaving this chain of bondage behind. Despite that my struggle with self doubt continues but thankfully with much more space between my ’rounds of doubt.’ I have painfully observed that this is a struggle to be fought on a daily basis – not just when I’m having a crisis.
I’m SO thankful my women’s ministry director forwarded me a P31 devotional a few weeks ago. My heart has resonated with every single day. I love that it starts my day with such encouragement.
Thank you for blessing my life and many, many, many others!
I feel like my life is one big self-doubt. I missed alot of opportunities growing up and in school because I never felt good enough. I have brought it into my marriage and am surprised my husband has stuck it out. I bring it into friendships. I always feel overlooked…like my comments and conversations are not important…I feel talked over…not a priority in anyone’s life…need I go on. I want to shake this someday! Someday soon! Thank you for addressing this issue.
I related to what you said about not being good enough; as a child, teenager, wife, and mother. I have lived my whole life always wishing I was nicer, prettier, skinnier, more athletic. I am hoping that reading your book will help me open my heart to God and stop destroying my self-doubt.
Well, what a blessing to open up Proverbs 31 this morning! I was just having my morning “I don’t know if I can do this” session (any subject, even the “I know I’ll mess something up” one) when I opened it up. I am so excited to know I am not alone and that God knows when I need the earthly encouragement also. Not that I’m excited others are not confident just that I’m not the only one who has struggled with insecurities. I look forward to the devotions and the book to come. Thanks for being transparent and sharing!
I could really relate to what you said about allowing what others think or say about us to kill our confidence. Whenever a relationship hits a rocky point, it’s easy to speak negative words to myself that somehow, the failure must be my fault. It’s often untrue, but it’s easy to get caught in those attitudes. What a great reminder this book is that our confidence comes from who we are in Christ, regardless of what others think of us or what mistakes we make.
Renee, your Proverbs 31 devotional could not have come at a more perfect time in my life. I recently discovered that my lack of confidence is a huge underlying problem in my life and something that I need to confess, confront and work on with Jesus. Your book sounds like the perfect place for me to start. I’m going to share it with my mentor, who has been encouraging me to work on this, and my accountability partner who struggles with the same thing and would benefit greatly from this resource. Thank you!
I got so much out of the first chapter and the 7 day Doubt Diet, I shared it with some friends. We are forming a book study group at our church..Can’t wait to get the book and get to it! This is an area so many women struggle with, I’m excited to see how God will work in our lives as we study this book.
I really struggle with confidence. One of the things I could relate to was that I have given up opportunities because I was afraid of failing. I am going to share this message with my friend Tammy who is struggling right now with unemployment and uncertainty. I can’t wait to read this book. It sounds like it was written just for me but I know it will help thousands of women out there struggling.
I enjoyed reading your devotion today. It is amazing that God strategically places things in my path to encourage me in the very thing I’m struggling with, no matter what it is. I am married to a wonderful man, but he is very critical of everything I do. After 11 years of marriage I am feeling very beat down and my confidence is extremely low. Just last night I was thinking I’ll never be able to change the way my husband wants me to, so when I read that in your devotion it was really personal to me. I know God’s word says he who has begun a good work in me will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ, but I so often hear the opposite from the person I love most that it is hard to hold on to that truth. Thank you for the truths of God’s word that replace the self-doubting lies I allow myself to believe. I am working hard to find my identity and worth in Jesus Christ.
Boy, nothing like divine timing! I am trying to find God’s direction for me related to a potential job opportunity and after reading your message in Encouragement for Today I realized how much self-doubt I have in my past and present. You gave me a glimmer of hope that it doesn’t have to be like that in the future. I have always felt like an “imposter” and that if people really knew me, they would discover how little I know, how ordinary and without real value a person I am. I have been married to a wonderful man for 25 years and our early years were filled with arguments related to my insecurities, he said to me once, “I cannot convince you that your are valuable and loved and I am not going to try for the rest of our lives, you’ll have to figure it out and believe it”. I have come along way since those years but the self doubt is always present. This same wonderful man introduced me to Jesus early in our courtship and I feel like Jesus helped my husband stand by me despite my insecurities. Thanks Renee. Blessings
I love P31 ministries, you aways give me just what I need when I need it. As I read your devotion this morning I felt like you were writing just for me. I struggle with self doubt on a daily basis. I can’t wait to get your book. Thank you for putting aside your self doubt to do what God called you to. Be blessed always!
Reading your devo today in prov 31 really touched my heart. Honestly I have lived a whole life like this also to see you struggled as a child so did I and do to this day. I would love to read your book because honestly lacking confidence drives me crazy. I really want to know why this has happened to me. I have a sister who is complete opposite. Having little to no confidence has negatively impacted my life and I don’t want it to anymore. Thank you for sharing your heart and you can’t even see the dirty dishes in the sink 😉 hugs 🙂
I lacked confidence in myself so much that I didn’t complete the tasks for an upgrade of my job for too long. Your story today is so very real to me.
Thanks so much!!!! I really needed this today.
i will be sharing this with a friend of mine who needs to work on getting her job upgraded. She doesn’t believe that her superiors will work with her. I’ve been telling her she should still try.
I am so thankful for you, Renee. I have done the 7-day doubt diet and am going through it again… so much to process and take in… 7 days just aren’t enough!!!
I’m realizing that doubt is a bigger factor in my life than I thought… I know God has a plan for me and it is good… thank you for the lists of promises… especially the one to personalize… these kinds of tools are immeasurable… especially during those times when I’m down deep in doubt.
Thank you for your honesty and transparency in your writing.
It is truly a God given gift!!
Renee,
I struggle with so much self doubt that it is even hard to describe. Even if someone gives me a compliment, I turn it around as negative. Would love to have your book not only for myself but also for my mother.
Thanks,
Carol
Oh how I could identify with your P31 devotional. I always doubt myself espeically when it comes to my faith and stepping out for God. I listen to the lies way to much and need to find and stay in the confidence of Christ. I cannot wait to read your book and allow GOd to show me how to walk forward in HIs confidence.
I am so looking forward to your new book Renee! I have ordered it and it is on the way! I am excited about the next P31 Bible Study. Today’s devotional brought tears to my eyes as I identify with your insecurities that began in childhood. I too, felt like I was not worth keeping. My parents joked about giving me away to their good friends because they did not have a daughter; I believed them. While they did not mean to hurt me, I believe it has affected me. I have lived a life trying to please others, and have been highly motivated to make something of myself. Finally reaching my career goal, I have continued to struggle with self-doubt, which has hindered my growth professionally and spiritually. Thank you Renee for your encouragement!
After reading the devotional I was hit straight on that I had experienced that twinge of fear as I contemplated stepping out upwards a new venture. It may not be the door to open for me, but I will never know if I don’t reach out and try the doorknob. Thanks for sharing.
okay, seriously this devotion from p31 this morning was totally a devine appointment. i have struggled my whole life with having no self-confidence; more specifically in the last few years, i have really struggled with applying and believing God’s truth about how much He loves me. i will make progress and do really well, feel like i am solid, standing on His promises and truth, then Satan roars his ugly head and just like that all those irrational thoughts, fears, and doubt come flooding back. i think part of my biggest problem is that i rely on men’s approval/acceptance and not on God’s. i could probably write a small novel, so i will stop, but your devotion was totally what i needed this morning, as yesterday was a major setback for me. thanks so much.
I was a professed perfectionist and control freak before I had my daughter 5 years ago. When she was diagnosed with autism 3 years ago my perceived ability to hold it all together came crashing in. Ever since then I’ve been trying to hold it together while I balance caring for my child’s special needs, working part-time so I could afford to pay for her services, and volunteering on the board of the local autism society chapter, trying to find a way to serve others. Lately I have really struggled with my lack of service and connection in my church family. I feel like God has been leading me to a special needs ministry but my mind was constantly flooded with doubt that I could find the time, have the ability, be the person he needed to run that kind of ministry and take care of everything else in my life, most importantly my family. I recently took a leap of faith to take a baby step towards that ministry, despite my lack of confidence and fear. I could really use encouragement right now and have a deep need to be ministered to as I take this step.
Listening to Renee through the trailer, it hit my heart! I am on ministry staff in the church and I struggle each Sunday I have to stand in on the platform to lead in the call to worship or Altar Praying. I am so afraid I will say something wrong or my head message will overcome my heart message. When I saw the words Breaking Free, in the trailer, I knew that was the words I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom through this book. I am excited to purchase this book and ‘study’ it! I will be leading a women’s spiritual retreat in February and I am in desperate need of confidence, so the timing of this book is certainly a blessing to me!
Thank you for today’s devotion from Proverbs 31. I have a job interview for a position that is much more challenging than the one I currently have and although I have all the skills necessary for it, I have been concerned about taking on additional responsibilities due to some health concerns. I’m amazed how God speaks to me through others and I feel your words are meant to give me peace as I meet with the program manager today. God bless.
Thank you for your comments about how we need to keep our confidence in God and not be bound by our negative self talk. I would enjoy your book and hope to read it and enjoy the truths you present from God’s Word.
I have been dealing with depression for a couple of months now. I am a seminary student but God has yet to tell me what He wants me to do when I graduate. That fact causes me to doubt myself and what I believe is God’s call to be in seminary quite often. Your devotionals have helped to reaffirm why I am in seminary and helped me to continue to persevere and trust God through my self doubt. I can’t wait to read your book and have a deeper trust and deeper confidence in my position as a child of God. Thank you for this book.
Thank you for the wonderful devotional today. I can relate to having your confidence suddenly yanked away by thoughts of the past. It has hindered my ability to share and to minister for years. I am looking forward to gleening some wisdom from your book.