“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.
[field name=iframe]
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.
*********
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.
*********
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.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Confidence and faith in our Lord who knows me and cares for me is what carries me through each day. Your Prov 31 devotion was such a great reminder of verses to keep me focused on Him and not on the doubts that keep me from being who He has made me to be.
Your devotional is so relevant to my situation. I have always struggled with self doubt. I have always tried to hide it also. I know God does not want me stuck in this place. I want out of here. Pray that as I read your book, I will be freed from this cycle….
It is funny how God brings the right message to us at the right time. I have recently finished reading two books with one message….. I am worthy because I am a child of God, because Jesus lived and died for my salvation. My worthiness does not come from my identity as a former educator, or my identity as a wife and mother. My identity and therefore my worthiness are in Christ alone. Based on your devotion today and the trailer for A Confident Heart, I believe this book will be the next step towards standing on the truth of my identity in Christ and throwing away the lies that cause me to doubt my worthiness. Thank you Renee for this message and the perfect God-timing in which I received it!
God called me to minister to women a couple of years ago but I fought Him on it because I lacked confidence. I finally gave in to God and started a blog. I still struggle from time to time with lack of confidence. I am truly excited to read your book. Thank you for your ministry.
Just the information I have been looking for! I have recently identified self sabotaging actions and thoughts. I am battling with a life long voice of defeat, which was instilled as a child. I am greatful for this ministry and information!
Today’s devotional is so relevant to my situation (it seems like that is always the case – isn’t that true with God’s Word?) today! I interviewed for a job last week and was afraid for several days even to ask for prayer for God’s favor in the situation. My husband finally convinced me to ask for prayer, and so we did – together – and prayed with several of our friends. Self-doubt kept creeping in between then and yesterday, at some times particularly LOUDLY, but I remembered this very verse about perseverance and continued to pray for patience and peace. Yesterday I was offered the job! It is so perfect because it is a part-time position at my son’s school – I don’t have to worry about daycare! This job will be a wonderful opportunity to serve God and I am so grateful, blessed and humbled that I’ve been chosen. And I will continue to remain confident – these verses are so helpful! Thank you, Renee!
I can’t wait to get a copy and start reading. We are doing a bible study at church Self Talk-Soul Talk and this kinda goes hand in hand. I find myself doubting and insecure, self doubting so I have to tell myself God’s truth. I am a single mother of two Awesome children God has blessed me with and I want to be the right example in their life I don’t won’t them to grow up and not be confident. I would love to win this book and continue to grow in my relationship with God so I can be the Godly mother God has called me to be.
Your message is a timely one for women of any age. I suffer self-doubt at different times in my life but certainly in relationships. Beginning as a young girl, after my mother died I can relate to your doubts about someone not being there for you, the merry-go-round and water-skiing. I remember feeling exactly this way during school performances, looking out anxiously to be sure someone cared enough to be there for me. Sad that these feelings continue to haunt us even in adulthood. I am looking forward to reading your book and sharing your thoughts with others.
“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)
I know the good work began years ago. Now I need to cooperate in its completion. There is no room for
doubt. I will trust the Lord.
I would love to read you book. I struggle with self confidence and I am a Pastor’s wife. Sometimes I look at other pastor’s wifes and say I need to be more like them instead of being who God has called me to be. Thank you for writting such a wonderful book and letting others see that most people do have the same struggles.
• When self-doubt whispers, “I’ll never change.” 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)
This is the point that I most identify with in your devotion. I am printing this verse on a 3×5 card to have with me – I am going to memorize this verse. I will pray to have this confidence in my life. Thank you.
Speaking straight to my heart, girl! Confidence is a long uphill hike and a steep, speedy slide back down. It seems it’s up and down and not something tangible I can seem to hold onto. Part of me wonders if it isn’t more about pride vs humility or me losing my confidence and having to start all over. I can’t wait to read your book.
Though I doubt myself often, I don’t doubt that I NEED to read this book!
I just received a devotional from a friend that wa discussing your book. AS i read the devotion I could see my story all over it. All my life I have avoided things because I was scared of failure or letting others down and lots of others. I am very interrested in your book. I now know that I can do all things through Christ and my ability to try new things is slowly coming around. I am a very confidant women but I hide behind that confidence to keep peopel at a distance. Fearful of showing them my weekness. I would love to win this book and continue ot grow in my relationship with God.
God Bles you and for all you do to minister to women!
Hi Renee
I want to thank you again for the encouragementI get evryday when I come to read your blog. The part that spoke to me was I am not good enough sometimes and lately I just sit here in the mornings in my home and tears just stream down my eyes because so much going on in my life right now jobless,taking care of my mom and doing a few others things and sometimes I just feel worthless don’t have to many people that I can talk to . So lately it has just been me and my God talking He is my Rock and I know He listens to me . One of my scripture verses for the 1st of August is Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. 7- And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and mins in Christ Jesus.
Can’t wait to get my hands on God- Confidence in my life and my heart and my mind.
Carol
I’ve struggled with having a confident heart even after being a leader in many areas at church and at home. Your words are an encouragement and a reminder that I need to change my thought patterns. I printed out your verses that you can fill in your name for each one of my kids,my husband, and myself. Thank you so much for writing this book. If I don’t win it, I’m going to budget it in and buy it.
I lack confidence to live life. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 10 years this year. My youngest son will be in kindergarten, and I feel God is leading me each day to break out and break free of these thoughts and struggles of “ONLY being a stay-at-home mom.” I am getting so many messages that are “making sense” to me, and I know it’s God telling me I am worth so much more.
I read your devotion this morning thru P31. Last night as I went to bed, I felt a sadness. There are so many things I have wanted to do with my life but have not due to a lack of self-confidence. My parents are hearing impared (fully deaf) and I wanted to be an interpreter for the deaf when I grew up. Well, here I am at 39 years old and I have yet to do that because I don’t think I am good enough. I also enjoy baking and decorating cakes. I make cakes for my co workers and friends. They all tell me I should go into business. But I can’t because I doubt myself. If I had just a smidgen of confidence in myself that the people around me have, I could do all the things I’ve longed to do.
Anyway, your devotion really hit home. I am going to do some serious soul searching and praying. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
In His Name,
Penny Cox
Wow! What a timely devotion today! I woke up thinking that I just couldn’t do it all again today. Our family recently moved out of state, and it has been quite overwhelming for me. The hardest part is not having my girlfriends here with me. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and words of wisdom today. God knew that it was what I needed to hear and used you to share it. Thank you!
I just discovered this site today and I am excited to think that someone understands. I look forward to spending time with you. I hope that I am given the opportunity to read your book. Thank you for all that you do.