“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.
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
I can’t wait to read this book. I have struggled with self-doubt all my life.
God’s timing is amazing! I’ve always had low self-esteem and it’s kept me from venturing out to try new things and even build relationships with other people for fear of getting hurt. This has been most evident over the past several weeks as I’ve been going through a difficult time lately and have found it hard to ask and accept help from others. Renee, I started to read the first chapter of your book that you provide here on your web site and three pages in I had to stop because of the tears. I so need this right now, and as afraid as I am to take this step of faith, I really feel this is orchestrated by God and I don’t want to miss out on the opprtunity to be healed from past hurts and to gain new confidence in the Lord. I would appreciate your prayers. Thanks.
Blessings!
Dale
I was sent a link to the site from a friend. I have been struggling with issues of confidence my whole life, as you said in the video, confidence in my appearance, in my ability to succeed in new endeavors, in relationships. Recently I have been doubting myself in my job, fearing my coworkers thought of me as a joke. As I talked to a coworker and friend she promised to send me the link to Proverbs31 and I am so glad she did! Grew up in a Christian home so I never doubted God’s involvement in my life, but I see that I need to turn toward the light in my dark times so as to avoid my doubts! I look forward to not only reading you new book, but to following the site and sharing with other women!
Need to read more about how my worry shows I’m doubting God.
I just finished reading the last day of the 7 day devotion. It was a wonderful blessing and full of truth. I have reccommended it to my sister and a few ladies in our church. Thank you so much for following God’s leading in your life to write this book. I know that it will be a blessing to all who will read it. I can’t wait to get my own copy. 🙂 Have a great day!
I could most idenify with you doubting your husband’s faithfulness. My husband has never given me a reason to doubt that he would stay with me, but I feel like I don’t measure up in the area of looks or personality, so many times I still question whether I am enough for him and if he loves me enough to stay with me.
Thanks Renee! I am working on my God-fidence. I am a work in progress like many others and really appreciate the types of books that P31 makes available to us through people like you. I hope I’m a winner!!!
As I sit here searching the internet for more Christian blogs to follow- I stumble upon yours. You are added to my favorite blogs now. Thank you so much for your encouraging words- I believe that this book is just what I need to read. I have had those same thoughts of not being good enough, smart enough, etc. Thank you for opening my eyes to erase those thoughts and begin thinking the way the God wants me to think. Many Blessings, Krystal
I love your heart and the message God has given it to encourage the hearts of so many women.
I lost my confidence at a very young age due to being sexually abused by my cousin and my mother being aware of it and not doing anything about it. I felt I wasn’t worth “rescuing” and from there on the cycle of doubt and insecurity perpetuated throughout middle school, high school, and college as I continued to put my confidence in the hands of others and allowed them to determine if I was “worth it” or not.
God has been working on me since and I have come a long way praise God but those doubts and insecurities still surface from time to time. I could completely relate to what you said in your trailer about being a young bride and doubting your husband’s faithfulness. I have experienced that in my marriage and am slowly realizing that it stems from the trauma of my past and not due to my husband’s actions or intentions.
I would love to read your book in God’s perfect time. God bless you and your gift sweet sister in Christ!
Thank you for the giveaway. I have always been a worrier, it is hard work everyday to deal with it. Your facebook posts seem to be just what I need to hear day after day. Thank you.
I have always been a worrier and self doubter. Now that I’m a mom I constantly compare myself to other moms and I hate that. I can’t wait to read your book!
You said you would like to know ONE thing I could identify with in your book trailer or devotion – ummmmm, how ’bout the ENTIRE content of both!!! LOL
I laugh, but I truly struggle with this. I know that it goes back to when I started 5th grade in a new school. Since I didn’t have one of the “certain” two last names and I had not been there since “Day One” (Kindergarten), I was considered and treated like a ‘nobody’.
However, realizing where it started and knowing in my head that it is nothing but LIES from the enemy, doesn’t make it any easier to deal with and get past. I am soooooo looking forward to reading your book and getting scriptures to help me through this. I am even currently attending a program at our church called Celebrate Recovery to help me deal with this issue and move on so I, too, can help others.
Thank you so much for being willing to wait on God’s timing for your book. I appreciate ALL that you had to go through to get to this point and I LOVED meeting you and seeing your “heart” at She Speaks this year.
I will share your post on fb, twitter and on my blogs (www.flashthoughts.wordpress.com & http://www.WATERforKingdomGirls.wordpress.com) and fb page, too.
Working daily on developing my Godfidence 🙂
Thank you for sharing in your devotional. I felt you were speaking directly to me. I have struggled with self-doubt and called it all the things you talk about (worry, fear, etc.). I will be doing the 7 day doubt diet and I need to read your book.
My two other sisters in Christ, Deronda and Nakia, pray together every Sunday night on a conference call, and on this particular night, God revealed his plans for our lives concerning entrepreneurship. We were all excited and seeking God for the next step. On Monday, Deronda and I received an email from Nakia who confessed she had low self-esteem, didn’t think she was good at anything, and even after all of the pouring in we did for each other, she had fear of not being good enough. We called her immediately for intervention and intercession. When we received the devotional from P31 the next day, we were floored!!!! Everything we talked about on that Monday was in the devotional. We were and still are in awe of God. I would love to have this book for all of us so that we could study it together and include it on our Sunday night prayer time. Bless you Renee and your ministry. I’m excited for where God is taking all of us!
Renee,
I finished “A Confident Heart” last night and it was fantastic. I laughed and cried and all in all LOVED it. The verses at the back and the names of God page will make this a reference for years to come. I will recommend your book to all my friends- thank you and God bless!
I was excited to find your book this morning as I was floating around the web. Confidence is my major issue. Most people don’t realize that because I’m a doer, but inside I’m eaten up with doubt. It shows in how I seldom accomplish the stuff that I want to do, the stuff that no one is expecting me to do.
I can’t wait to read more and then share your book with the ladies in my accountability group.
I just wanted to say thank you for everything you do for the ministry of God. I have gone through the 7-day doubt diet, and it has really helped to open my eyes to alot of things in my life that just aren’t right. I thank you for being encouraging and loving in your writing. Thank you for everything and may God bless you richly!!
Renee, I was so glad to get to see your trailer as I’ve never actually heard you speak! I can now put a voice with your words! In the trailer, what spoke to me the most was your story about how God showed you that looking away from Him (the Light) is when you where overcome with doubt and insecurities (large shadow) and fear. I can totally relate! It kind of reminds me of when Peter walked on the water to Jesus and only started to sink when he took his eyes off Christ! Thank you for the reminder and I can’t wait to get a copy of your book! Your ministry and P31 ministries have been a blessing to me and my co-workers as I forward the daily devotionals I get to them all! Thank you again and God bless you and your family!
Thank you for sharing:)
I needed to hear ■John 1:12 I am God’s child.
I would love to have signed copy of your book.
There are times when I still find myself standing in that shadow of insecurity. It paralyzes me and often there are missed opportunities because I do not step out of the shadow.
I am going to put this book on my list of “must reads” to give me that extra push when I find myself being surrounded by darkness. I also was talking to an old college friend last week who recently lost her job and has had trouble finding new employment. She is sinking into the depths of despair thinking these same things…she isn’t good enough…she has disappointed her family, etc. I am going to send her the link to this devotional and maybe even get her the book to help point her the way to the light.
Self-doubt has never been so clear to me. Thank you for sharing in your devotional. It is as though you are writing from my heart, I just did not know what it was. I will put this book on my wish list. Freedom from these feelings sounds so amazing but getting there seems impossible. Thank you for your obedience to Christ!
Self-doubt has never been so clear to me. Thank you for sharing in your devotional. It is as though you are writing from my heart, I just did not know what it was. I will put this book on my wish list. Freedom from these feelings sounds so amazing but getting there seems impossible.
When I watch your trailer and read your post…I feel like you are talking about me. I feel every word your say. I am so excited to receive a copy of your book in the mail. Thank you for all that you do and God’s blessings!
Nicole
I was so excited to receive my copy of A Confident Heart a couple of days ago (I’ve already read the first three chapters). When I first ran across the book, and read the sample chapter online, I knew I needed to read the rest of the book. I constantly live in doubt…doubt about being in the right job, if I’m being a good wife, mother, etc., my list goes on. I can completely relate to what you have to say.
As I thought more about what I read in that sample chapter, I could feel that God was calling me to lead a women’s study group with this book. I could see the faces of many of the women I’d met at church and in Bible study groups, who I thought would also love the message your book contains. Of course, I don’t see myself as any kind of leader, so even though I will be leading a group – for the first time ever, I might add -, I’m completely terrified!
I will be sharing this post with the women whom I’ve been praying for and plan to invite to my group when our church begins our fall group signups, in the hopes that they will be excited as well.
Thank you Renee!
(my book’s verse – Isaiah 43:19)
Renee, I so love your devotion today. I have had some opportunities to do a presentation on a classroom management tool this summer. I had great reviews and feel like the door has opened for me to write a book. However, I have been having moments of self-doubt and the three examples you gave of reasons we tell ourselves are the very same ones plaguing me! I was so glad I read your devotion today to say the least. I need God’s confidence and I thank you for your encouragement to seek Him and only Him. And not to listen to the enemy of our souls.
Please pray for me as I start writing my book. My target audience are teachers who teach high school and career and technical classes. God has already done an Ephesians 3:20 for me; I just need to keep trusting and seeking Him as I pursue this endeavor.
Praying you have an Ephesians 3:20 also in the sale of your book. Blessings to you, sweet sister!
P31 devotion brought me here. I am excited about your book. I am currently helping my husband dealing with PTSD. There are times that I feel every doubt you mentioned in your book video. Since he has returned from back to back deployments, it has been really tough on our family and very easy to let doubt take ahold of my thoughts. Thanks for the inspiration.
Lana Black
I’ve been struggling with being “good enough”. Am I a good enough mom? A good enough wife? Am I good enough at work? Etc. So your daily devotion really hit home with me. Thanks so much for sharimg. I would love to read your book 🙂
Your P31 devotional “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence” led me here. Watching your book trailer I felt convicted of that self-doubt. I have missed opportunities to minister because of my doubt, I have been totally absorbed in trying to please others that I let their judgement of me consume my thoughts of self-worth, I have failed to experience the joy of trusting the Lord during difficult situations (in which He always allows me to prevail) because of my doubt, and in the end I hear the Lord saying to me, “Did you doubt?” My husband and I are following the Lord’s direction for our family and as such are experiencing a huge transition, relying totally on the Lord to sustain us financially. While He has poured overflowing blessings on us as we continue in His will, my confidence began to fail when I realized that in 3 short weeks my husband may be without a job. Last week I asked the Lord to make me like Abraham who trusted God’s promise to him. My prayer: “Please just reveal Your promises to me that I may have a confident heart and peace that surpasses all understanding. When others look at the decision we have made for our family and question it, help me to be confident enough in You to disregard men’s esteem and focus totally on accomplishing Your will for our family. You alone, Lord, know what is best for us.” Well, here I am discovering your new book. Isn’t the Lord’s timing perfect!! Thank you for being a willing vessel through which the Lord can accomplish His work. May the Lord continue to bless you through this ministry!
ah – seeing the big shadows, because we’ve turned away from the light… how many times have I stopped trying because my eyes are focused on something other than Jesus…
I can so relate! I missed many an opportunity due to allowing my insecurity and fear to lead me. I thought it was because I had grown up in a single parent home, where my dad was completely absent. But as I’ve grown older and been a mother myself, I have learned through much study of God’s Word and contemplating my past without trying to outrun or hide from it, that I do indeed own the fear and insecurity myself! I’ve already shared with my Facebook friends your book trailer, so they may benefit too! I look forward to reading A Confident Heart!! Blessings to you, Renee…