Early mornings can be the hardest for me when it comes to feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy. I think its because my guard is down when I first wake up. It’s easy to let my thoughts bombard me with mental memo of all I need to do, how much time I don’t have, how I’m probably going to let someone down that day…and on and on. In my P31 devotion today I shared something that has really helped me overcome my early morning and all-through-the-day doubts:
One morning I woke up feeling beat up by discouragement. My mind was being bullied by thoughts of doubt: I can’t do it all! I am not cut out to be a wife, a mom, a daughter, a speaker, a writer and all the other things God has called me to.
My thoughts were against me, and my feelings were too.
I was laying in bed feeling completely inadequate when my radio alarm came on. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Twila Paris singing to me. With confident assurance, she spoke truth to my soul, telling me this was no time for fear, but a time for faith and determination. She challenged me not to lose my vision or be carried away by my emotions, but to hold on to all that I had hidden in my heart, and all I believed to be true. Then she reminded me of the most important truth of all: God is in control.1
As I heard these words, my thoughts aligned with God’s truth. It changed my whole perspective. I went from feeling afraid to feeling determined and from feeling out of control to knowing God is in control.
We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God’s truth build us up.
If we have Christ in us, we have full access to God’s power and His promises to live with a confident heart. But it won’t just happen because it’s possible. We have to take action.
When my alarm came on that morning, I was so glad I’d set my radio to that station the night before, so I would wake up hearing encouraging music and truth. Just like I tuned into that station, we need to get intentional about tuning our thoughts into God’s thoughts toward us, every day.
In the same way a radio has AM and FM frequencies, so do our thoughts. They are either AM (against me) or FM (for me) thoughts. The truth is, we are often our worst critics and have a lot of AM thoughts.
And if our thoughts are against us, our feelings will be too.
So, the next time you get those feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you are thinking that is making you feel that way. Then compare your thoughts about that situation to God’s thoughts, which are reflected in Scripture. Do they match? If not, find a promise in God’s Word to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt. Here are few to get your started:
- When doubt comes against me, saying I’m weak and all alone, I will focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)
- When doubt comes against me, saying I’m not good enough for a certain role or position, I will remember God is for me! He says I am His masterpiece, created to be new in Christ so that I could do good things He planned long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
Want to pray with me? Lord, Your Word says I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to You. Help me remember that You are calling me out of the darkness of my doubts so that I can tell others about the Light I’ve found in You. Thank You that You are with me to fight for me against my enemies of insecurity and inadequacy. In all these things, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- For more AM/FM thoughts visit my FREE resources page.
- Have you signed up for The 7-day DOUBT Diet? Over 29,000 people have and I’d love for you to join us!
- Also, if you haven’t already seen it, I’d love to share my book trailer video with you. 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)
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Last week’s winner of 3 copies of A Confident Heart as well as a gift card and my message, “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence” on CD or MP3 is Chaille — we’ll be in touch to get your mailing address.
I’m curious about your thoughts. Wondering if there is one doubt that beats you up the most? I’d love to build you up and pray for you this week. Simply “share your thoughts” below.
I am so looking forward to participate in this onlline bible study. This topic is just what I need and with my work schedule I am not able to attend any other study. So “Thank you” ahead of time.
THANKS RENEE
BELIEVE GOD LEAD ME INTO THE PATHS OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS THIS MORNING TO BE ENCOURAGED BY YOU AND CONTINUE ENCOURAGING OTHERS….PRAYERS ALWAYS
GOD LOVE YOU AND SO DO I
LOVE HOW GOD LISTENS SO PERFECTLY AND ANSWERS PRAYERS EVEN BEFORE WE EVEN FINISH THEM….HE PUT THE WORLD INTO EXISTENCE AND CREATED US FOR HIS PURPOSE TO EXPRESS OUR LOVE TO HIM BEING LOVED BY HIM AND TEACHING US TO EXTEND THIS PERFECT LOVE TO EACH OTHER!!!
MY HUSBAND OF 38 YEARS CAN STAND BEFORE THE “MULITUDES’ AND SPEAK AND DELIVER VALUABLE GOD INSPIRED MESSAGES THAT TEACHES THEM TO BE THEIR ‘BEST’ AND I AM ON BOTH FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AND BEING GUIDED INTO OTHERS PATHS WITH WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD’S WORDS AND SO HAPPY THAT GOD REVEALED YOUR EXISTANCE TO ME THAT ADDED TO MY LIFE ENCOURAGEMENT AND MORE DETERMINATION TO SHARE THE ‘TRUTH’ FROM GOD THROUGH HIS WORDS EVEN AS BEING A CHILD OF THE KING I AM MYSELF CONSTANTLY BEING ‘TRANSFORMED’ FOLLOWING THE PLANS HE HAS FOR OUR LIVES….EVERYDAY SO EXCITED TO KNOW GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT AND THE negative world has NO ROOM IN OUR LIVES EVEN IN THE VALLEYS ‘HIS ROD AND STAFF THEY COMFORT US!!!! PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!! IF IT BE GOD’S WILL HOPE OUR PATHS CROSS SOMEDAY BEFORE WE CROSS OVER INTO GOD’S PERFECT WORLD!!!
PRESENTLY WORSHIPING AT faithpromise.org
Witnessing lost souls being ‘SAVED’ often 🙂
And thanks so much for offering this ‘AVENUE’ to ‘BOOST’ my GREAT DESIRE TO SERVE CHRIST WHO SAVED US FROM BEING LOST!!!
PRAYING FOR OTHERS TO FIND HOPE ESP: TALLY AUG 2011 READ HER REQUEST AND FELT LEAD TO SHARE TO ENCOURAGE AS CHRIST DIRECTS MY LIFE TO LOVE OTHERS
Hate to bug you but I signed up for the Doubt Diet and not receiving any e-mails. I forgot where you told me to e-mail about this situation., Thanks! Cannot put your book down. It is answered prayer! Hallelujah!
Dear Renee,
Thank you for the 7-Day Doubt Diet. It has been very timely for me. I’ve been a “strong” Christian for several years, but lately I’ve been having doubts about my salvation. Many changes are going on in my life, not the least of which is I asked the Lord to grow me. I do believe I’m in heavy spiritual warfare and that Satan is using doubt about my salvation to keep me down and paralyzed. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, and mornings do seem to be the worst time for me. I am an analytical person, so I can go round and round in my head until I’m weary and weak (and I have). I have shared this with some trusted sisters in Christ and they are standing in the gap for me. I just wanted to share here because I feel there may be others who have been through this or who will go through this and thought it might help to know I’m/they’re not alone. I do believe God is sovereign and by his power will deliver me from these plaguing thoughts of doubt. But I do ask for prayer. I don’t know why this has come but I so desire to have a confident heart and to fully lean on God’s truth. Satan is a powerful enemy but greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I hope this helps someone.
Dear Renee: A friend sent me an article from Proverbs 31 Ministry. I explored the site and found the 7 Day Doubt Diet, and signed up. I’m on day 4 and am still amazed at what doubt has caused me to miss out on all of my life! (I’m 49) Today I found an interview you did on Full Circle. What an encouragement to watch and listen to you an other women. I fell in love with the spiral Bible verse Idea. I have had post-its on my mirror little slips of paper tucked everywhere, but the spiral verses of Gods view of me – That is now on my to do list this week!
Thank you for listening to God and speaking to women and encouraging them to be who they are suppose to be in Christ. I have found renewed hope (which has been lost for a very long time) after being exposed to your book, interview and Proverbs 31 Ministry. I am on the road to discovering who God really wants me to be and finding what He wants me to do. My age has become another source of doubt for me of late…. though I don’t believe God has an age requirement on doing his work.
God Bless you and those you work with.
Thank you,
Jackie
Dear Renee: I joined in on your confident woman, 7-day doubt diet, but have not been able to participate with you then, so I saved them all and I am now off the road and is getting ready to do them, I already read chapter one, and was getting ready to do the analysis sheet, and could not get into it. Could you tell me what I am doing wrong, or am I too late. Cleopatra
I am battleing a serious drug addiction and am on my way to recovery with Gods help. Thank you for your inspirational words and thoughts. God led me to your websiteand it was just what I needed! It is a difficult road I’m traveling right now and mornings seem to be the hardest for me. I’m praying, your book, A Confident Heart, will give me the stength I need to move through my days and nights with less pain and uncertainty. Gods love is so strong in my life, but some days, the uncertainty of it all gets me down. I can’t wait to start reading. Thank you so much!
Thank you, thank you for sharing your struggles with uncertainty and doubt. I truly thought I was the only one. Thrilled to know that’s a lie 🙂 I was given your daily devotion by a friend via email and have since downloaded your 7 Day Doubt Diet to my NOOK. You’re three Cs of conflict, criticism and comparison hit me to the core. Just last week my husband and I had an intense fellowship moment and he caused me to really think why I was acting and responding to him in such a negative manner. I just couldn’t handle his feedback about anything and always thought, “I must not be good enough.” Well, God is so great and sensitive to us and allowed me to see, that in my life it’s the three Cs that lead me to uncertainty. Thank you again for your humility and vulnerability that has brought me a step closer to being a person who will no longer throw away my confidence, Heb. 10:35.
Dear Renee,
I have fought depression and feelings of worthlessness most of my life. I was browsing through the Christian bookstore just last week and stumbled onto A Confident Heart book. What a blessing this book has been. I am only on Chapter 2, but have almost cried several times because you seem to know exactly what I have felt most of my life. I have been praying daily for God-fidence. My prayer is to one day stand up boldly and confidently in God’s truths for my life and not let lies and self doubt rule my life any longer. God bless you!
Oh Cheryl, how thrilled I am to read your note and know God led you to A Confident Heart in a way that only HE could!! He loves you so!! HE knows your needs and He wants you to know you are not alone. I am convinced you are one of the reasons HE had me write this book. It’s not a book I wanted to write or a message I wanted to live – but more and more I’m seeing He entrusted me with the story I have and the life I’ve lived so that I can encourage sweet friends like you! Be blessed and read this message again and again. It’s straight from HIS heart to yours – with a few detours through mine 🙂
Blessings and prayers!
Renee
I just signed up for the 7 day doubt diet. This morning I woke up happy, but then let my “life” and failures nag at me once again. I longed my entire life to be a wife and a mother. At age 27, I met my husband and we married within just 2 months of meeting (We were set up by mutual friends. Our first date was Dec. 21, 2006 and our wedding was March 10, 2007…just 16 days after my father suddenly passed away.) I stopped working the day after my father passed, and have been a stay-at-home wife and mom ever since. Five months into our marriage we were surprised to find out I was pregnant. Two weeks later, I miscarried. Five months after that I became pregnant with my oldest son. After a somewhat difficult pregnancy, he was born in September 2007. In December 2008, my middle son arrived. June 2010 brought son #3! I adore my children and am so thankful God has answered a lifetime of prayers. My husband and I love each other and help each other with everything. I hate to even complain, but I have been so defeated the last few months. With a 3, 2 and 1 year old in the house, I am always in the throws of dirt, yucky diapers, crumbs and feeling like every mundane task accomplished each day is of no reward knowing I’ll be doing the same exact thing tomorrow and even just 5 minutes after I just finished a task. Unfortunately, I come from a family where I was my mom’s right hand. I was the oldest of 6, but we were spread out over 15 years and I was naturally organized and wanted to please my mom who cared about cleanliness. I desire the same measure of cleanliness in my home, but absolutely cannot keep up! My mom had energy (and still does) that compares to that of the tazmanian devil or a superhero. She birthed 5 out of 6 children at home. She helped my father run his veterinarian clinic until he passed, and even kept it going long enough to sell off the business. And now, I live in a wonderful, precious neighborhood with dear, sweet neighbors but am surrounded by dozens of moms who have children close to mine and age and still seem to have it together. Their houses are always clean when I visit, they’re doing fun crafts, they cook, they coupon, etc., etc., etc.! I am uber-creative, worked freelance for magazines writing and editing stories and planning weddings and parties prior to having my precious brood and was even given the nickname “Martha” at age 16. I long for a clean, quiet, organized home and the energy to make it all happen. I question God why He would give me these desires for organization, when clearly with 3 toddlers (boys, nonetheless) calm, quiet and organized will likely never happen…or at least not all at the same time. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my little airplane-loving, train pushing, car-infatuated, hungry-all-the-time, cuddly, adorable little boys, BUT it would be lovely just once or always to have them listen, obey, sit still and not drop crumbs and jelly from one of the kitchen, across the walls, up the stairs and into their beds. And yes, I have a no food outside of the kitchen rule (that never has been followed) and of course, I’m part to blame for that with the need of immediate action in quieting fussy children while I’m changing another’s diaper! All of this to say, I was down on myself, my husband, my children…anyone who was within ear’s reach today. I’m in love with my life and at the same time SO READY to throw my hand’s in the air and wave my white surrender flag. I told my husband today that I’m a failure at everything. Our bathrooms haven’t been cleaned in a month (yes, disgusting…but at the end of the day it’s the last thing I want to do and dishes and laundry take precedence!) Renee, I need help. I need to know if I desire the wrong things, or at least how to become content in the present circumstance. I still laugh every day thanks to my adorable mess-makers, but I’m exhausted and tired of feeling like my to-do list will never end! Does it get better? I LOVE the baby stage. We never planned to have our children so close together. I thought they’d be at least 2-3 years apart. I’ve always wanted 4 or so, and still want another baby but no time soon. I’m failing with the 3 we’ve been blessed with already. I feel guilty for not having enough individual time for each of them. I feel guilty that they’re growing up in organized chaos! I feel guilty for not making my own baby food or remembering to brush their teeth every night. I long for a schedule, but have THE HARDEST TIME waking in the morning. Despite my exhaustion, I have trouble going to bed before 12am most nights. It’s my alone time and I crave it. It’s when I read friend’s blogs, read my devotional, play on Pinterest pinning creative ideas I dream of doing one day…
All of this to say, I’m sure you receive thousands of emails daily. If you don’t have time to read this or respond, I totally understand. I guess I just needed to get it off my chest and I’m sure in so doing, God has once again heard my plea. I just long for an answer, a hope, a change of desire or the knowledge to make my desires become reality. Good night!
Hi Tally…GOD through Christ strengthens me constantly!!!
Please allow me to share with you part of my life and how God through God’s Holy Spirit in Jesus name rescued me!!!
First of all let me orient you with a ‘little’ background: grew up with a family/parents and one of five daughters who attended church routinely and saved at the age of twelve my mom rededicated her life that day and lost our dad suddenly when I was 15 just happened to be in the kitchen while my mom was talking to my dad on the phone and she ask me if I wanted to talk to him and of course I said YES and told him I loved him not knowing that these words would be the last words I would ever speak to him and so grateful I used those MOST PRECIOUS WORDS ‘I LOVE YOU’ cause dad never came home he suddenly ‘passed’ away….. now quit aware then that God had plans for my life…I began to wake up in the middle of the night and go into the kitchen to find my precious mom mourning for my dad and wondering how our lives would function from here on out….I believe then that God was giving words of encouragement to share with mom! Dad passed 1971.
As my mom proved to be a source of ‘wisdom’ for me….her gift and my ‘hunger for RIGHTEOUSNESS acknowledged cause GOD alone is RIGHTEOUS and CHRIST lives within us we get constantly satisfied learning the TRUTHS ABOUT GOD THROUGH HIS WORDS THAT WE CONSUME AND SHARE WITH OTHERS THAT IS MOST SATISFING ALWAYS PUTTING ‘NEW LIFE’ inside of us renewing our hearts and minds!!!
Since that time God has been most close and purposeful part of my LIFE/Eternal because I can do ALL things through CHRIST who STRENGTHENS me and the JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH!!! I believe God guides us into the ‘PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS’ as members of the ‘BODY OF CHRIST’ for HIS PURPOSE to EXPRESS OUR LOVE TO HIM THROUGH HIS WORDS CONSTANTLY TRANSFORMING US in this RACE OF LIFE WHERE CHRIST IS THE AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH AND GOD OUR DIRECTOR USING HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO COUNSEL AND COMFORT US EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIVES TO STEP INTO THE LIGHT HAVING BEEN CLEANSED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST WE HAVE ‘FELLOWSHIP’ ONE WITH ANOTHER ‘MY FAVORITE’ MOMENTS IN LIFE!!!
After losing my dad suddenly, living our family though built on the ‘SOLID ROCK’ somewhat ‘wondering’ how our lives would progress without easy access to the ‘head of the family’….we TRUSTED GOD and I began LOVING ON MOM more and more asking mom ‘not to leave us until JESUS CAME BACK FOR US ALL! Well GOD has HIS own plans always and PRAY we always leave ourselves open to NOT TRY TO UNDERSTAND IT ALL KNOWING THAT GOD IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT AND HE OUR CREATOR KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR EVERYONE…..sensing something was going to happen the day before my mom ‘suddenly’ passed away….I was praying and praising GOD with ‘ALL MY HEART’ asking HIM to heal my mom….and looking at God’s LIVING ACTIVE WORDS…I thought GOD what are you trying to tell me???? the next day 5a Ii called intensive care and ask how mom was doing and was assured that mom was going to get better….happy to hear this news, and I called later in the day and was speaking to a sister who was standing next to mom’s bed at the time 2pm and she suddenly said: ‘my coded’ I said ‘what do you mean’??? Mom was GONE 🙁 I WAS NOT READY FOR THIS MOMENT BUT GOD BRASED ME THE PREVIOUS DAY AND I HAD BEEN PRAYING THAT GOD PUT PEOPLE IN MY LIFE THAT I COULD RELATE TO ROUTINELY THAT COULD HELP FILL THE VOID….GOD FILLS THE EMPTINESS AS WELL AS THE RIGHTEOUS HE LEADS TO AS HE SHEPHERDS US AROUND FOR HIS PURPOSES: BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURNE THEY WILL BE COMFORTED!!! OF AND ON WHEN I THINK I HAVE SHED BY LAST TEAR I MIGHT HAVE A ‘MOMENT’ YET I THAN KNOW THAT GOD’S POWER WILL THEN BE MAGNIFIED IN MY LIFE TO COMFORT ME THROUGH HIS WORDS FROM THE BIBLE, SONG LYRICS,SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE!!!
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME:….married at 17 to my ‘high school sweetheart’ who had been a ‘GREAT BLESSING’ to me and my family, especially when my dad and now my mom passed away (right before Easter:2010) I completed my BS/MS in Elementary Education certified from birth through the 8th grade…also to get just of taste of what my dad did in the service for over 20 years in the Air Force, my husband and I joined the Air National Guard and both have served over 20 years and I had attended also over 5 military schools!!!…..We are parents to two grown saved college accredited married daughters with soon a total of 3 grandchildren….both husbands are saved and good husbands and dads, one a police officer with some college and the other is presently working on his PhD in chemistry…
Well let me try to associate with you in the area of feeling ‘overwhelmed’ in a particular time in my life: in 1990 I worked as a kindergarten teacher and my classroom that year included 27 children and I do not care what the world says ‘I said my prayers daily’ and as a firm faithful believer I believe I had help from God’s Holy Spirit to help me manage and teach those precious children who I love so much as if they were my own determined to give all of them individual attention everyday!!! Plus at the time my own daughters were 5 and 1 years old….well as the year progressed even with my daily time with God through Christ who strengthens me and constantly inspires and guides me in the WAY of the TRUTH I began to ‘yearn’ for a ‘RETREAT’ not maybe giving GOD EXACTLY WHAT I WAS ASKING FOR???? KNOWING THAT GOD HAS ALL THE KNOWLEDGE AND PLANS AND KNOWS ALWAYS WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR LIVES….OH AND MY HUSBAND WAS WORKING ON HIS PhD and that took Dale away from the home on occasions leaving me solely in ‘charge’ of our family….well I RECALL WALKING DOWN THE HALWAY ASKING GOD FOR HELP AND SENSING HE WAS UP TO SOMETHING???? A CHANGE IN MY LIFE???….so I decided to celebrate my daughters winter birthdays early which proved to be a God delivered wise idea…and coming home from church my husband answered the phone (early Feb) and he was told not him but I had been ‘activated’ with ‘Desert Storm’ NOT what I had in mind for a ‘RETREAT’ but sure enough I had to leave my present challenging environment and serve by country for over ‘four’ months and in that time period I began PRAYING THAT GOD END THE WAR QUICKLY so I could get back to my once ‘overwhelming’ life that suddenly became a ‘GREAT DESIRE’ to return to the LIFE dealing with ‘young’ children once again having missed them so much minute by minute while I was away! So GOD help me realize that PRAYERS ARE MOST POWERFUL AND GOD’s ALWAYS THERE LOVING ON US ON THE MOUNTAIN TOPS AND IN THE VALLEYS AND THERE IS ALWAYS COMFORT TO BE FOUND WE JUST NEED TO GET EVEN CLOSER TO HIM AND USE OUR WORDS IN PRAYER CAREFULLY WHEN WE ASK FOR A ‘CHANGE’ TO HELP US MEET THOSE CHALLENGES AND I FIND AS MOM MODELED WITH US THAT MUSIC LOVING ‘PRAISE’ MUSIC IS A GREAT DISTRACTION FROM THE worldly events and routines of life….cause: THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH…..GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I IN JESUS NAME AMEN
My PRAYER LIFE is nonstop as well as my daily PRAISE TIME and SCRIPTURE REFERENCING!!!
AN INSPIRED WRITER FOR GOD’S GLORY AND TO WITNESS AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH IN GOD WHO WE MUST TRUST AND PRAISE AND PRAY
Dear Renee,
I just want to say thanks for writing “A Confident Heart”. I have almost finished reading it, but am pausing before I turn to the last chapter. You have spoken the simple truth for many of us. I have dear friends I plan to share your book with, but I know I will return to certain chapters to refresh myself in our Savior’s amazing love. Thanks for upholding the scriptures as our only source for new life and hope. May God continue to bless you!
Thank you Suzie, what a blessing to be part of your journey closer to the heart of God, I pray you will return to these truths again and again. We need them every day!! At least I know I do!
Wow! Someone forwarded this to me. What timing. I had just come out of a meeting with my supervisor about a new role I’m taking on. I am so doubting my abilities! I doubt so much about myself. In my recent mid-year review, the only area for improvement I was told was that I need to get better about talking myself up about things I’ve accomplished. I especially love the AM vs. FM thoughts comments! I usually have AM thoughts, but these acronyms will help me remember. I have signed up for the 7 day doubt diet e-mails and hope to be able to buy the book sometime soon.
Thank you for reminding me that I am a daughter of the King, and He is always there ahead of me.
Jesus bless you and your ministry!
Hi Renee
I am thankful for you that you wrote your book I have been fading your blog and I done the seven day doubt diet ,I cannot Believe how many times I doubt myself I struggle with a lot of doubt first thing in the morning and especially when I am tired my feelings are on my sleeves. Family is the worst when it comes to that in my life. Especially now that I am unemployed lately it has really been ruff on my thought life I just feel like I have no self worth, I feel there is no structure so therefore I have a tendency to have some stinkin thinkin thoughts ,so I am trying to keep up with my scripture verses and memorizing the verse I just memorized 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.
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Because lately I have been having anxious thoughts
Carol
I am going to reply to my own comment it should have said reading your blog
Carol
Thank you for this devotion. I have been struggling for the last several years with my position. I have worked for the same institution for just about 18 years, in the last 5 years we have re-organized several times and my position has changed. I am now in an administration/supervision position, not one that I feel I am exactly qualified for or have a passion for. I also struggle with being a professional working mother of three busy daughters. This devotion helped me remember that God has kept me with this organization and in these different position for a reason. I don’t need to know why, just do my best and praise Him.
Amen Karyn! Praying HIS for you thoughts will be your encouragement and strength today and each day you walk in the places He’s called you to!! Blessings!!
I just started the diet and have really enjoyed studying God’s Word with focus. But I didn’t get Day 3 today and was really disappointed, but there must be a reason why. I hope to be able to continue learning. I have beat myself up for so long that I feel completely bruised all the time. I don’t know exactly what I need to improve my situation other than turning continually to God. I don’t feel as if I am worth very much. Maybe not, but God says I am worth something to Him. I have to constantly remind myself of that point.
Just got your email Kyndle and send you links to every day so you don’t miss one!! Praying for you!!
Wow! Kyndle, you just put into words exactly how I feel…”bruised”. I am not sure when this beating up on myself started, but the bruises are certainly there. Thank you for expressing your very personal feelings here. It is encouraging to know that others are struggling and making progress.
ArmaninNa mez ognec haskanal bolor nrtnnyubuer@ internetum ashxatelis. Internetum haytni darnalu ev bisnes anelu hamar vochmiayn petqe imanal sayt stexcelu hmtutyunner@, ayl nayev ayn jisht matucel@, vorin menq qayl ar qayl tirapetel ev der tirapeteluenq das@ntacneri @ntacqum. Menq arajin ashkertnernenq, bayc mer kap@ erbeqel chenq korcni @nker Armani het qani vor na misht patraste patasxanel ir bolor ashakertnerin huzox harcerin. Bolorin xorhurdem talis grancvel ev masnakcel das@ntacnerin manavanq vor ayn dzez trvume anvjar, chapazanc harmaravet dzer isk tanic webinarneri mijocov ev amenakarevor@ kapvumenq mimianc ev uraxanum mer das@nkerneri araj@ntacnerov ev hajoxutyunnerov` @nker Armani glxavorutyamb. Es husovem vor ays dproc@ kunena erkar ev kanach janapar qani vor ayn uni azniv npatakner. MAXTUMEM AMENALAVN U BARIN.Dzer dproci arajin ashakertneric` Bagrat ^_^
Wow, I can really relate to Deanna’s desperation. I feel so totally desperate in where I am right now which Intellectually I know is probably a good place but painful as you walk through it. While reading the 1st day of the doubt diet and especially the scripture Jer 17:7 that Blessed is the one who trusts in te Lord, whose confidence is in him, a spark of hope came alive.in my heart and the encouragement to trust in Him and put my confidence in Him rather than myself. I live in a new part of the country and have no girlfriends here at present and am just thankful to have somewhere safe to reach out to and even make myself vulnerable – ugly weaknesses and all. Yes, I can relate to the skepticism as well as we who are ridden with doubts tend sometimes to look at all the bad things that happen rather than acknowledge all the good. And alot of bad things can and do happen and are overwhelming. I am now at a loss now for words but pray that all will keep sharing.
Donna, I just wrote a note to Deanna that is to you too!! Please read it!! I’ll be back to share more with you tomorrow. Praying for you as I log off tonight. Hugs and blessings friend. I’m glad you’re here!
I have not received any e-mails yet but I feel that you “sparked” my spirit with the Jer.17-7 verse. God’s network is awesome!
7:46 AM. Husband gone to the church and took my daughter to her summer job. Son still in bed. Me…facing once again the same thing that has plagued me for about a year. Getting out of bed is the hardest part of my day. I NEVER was like this. I literally dread the first 2-3 hours of my day. Much crying in this time period.This is still my quiet time with the Lord. I admit, it usually helps once I have spent time in prayer an the Word. My husband doesn’t know what to do. Sometimes he prays with me.
18 months ago, I quit my Christian school teaching job where i was safe and secure and stepped out in faith to start a non-profit women’s ministry in my community. God called me to it and I am sure of that. BUT, 6 months into it, fear plagued me and then this “morning thing” happened. I have gone from being in a ministry where i was surrounded by christian friends as well as my husband being in an office right down the hall from me (he is an asst at the church where I taught) to spending much time alone, meeting ladies for counseling, teaching a Bible study or pounding the pavement to get word out about the ministry.
Honestly, sometimes I just want to be a “normal woman”. One that just worries about her home, family and self. Awful, I know.
I am going to do the verses you suggested. Although, I have done things like that many times.
Please tell me it gets better. Please tell me that I won’t feel like I am always going crazy questioning myself. From this post, I sound as if I am a pitiful Christian, but I have a healthy relationship with the Lord. I just don’t understand what has happened to me. I am so embarrassed to even admit this. One day I was so desperate I called Focus on the Family counseling line.
I am reading your book. You gave me a signed free copy at She Speaks. I would have bought it anyway after hearing you speak on this subject. I never heard someone else refer to the “morning thing”.
I am doing the 7 day doubt diet. Honestly, I “doubt” it is going to help me 🙂 I often wonder if this is part of my journey where I am going to learn the most about HIM. I hope so, because this is NO FUN!
Thanks for being led to share about this. This one woman needed it.
Deanna, I promised my sweet hubby I would hang out with him tonight but I just wanted to leave you a quick note to let you know I read your outpouring of honest struggles and doubt, and I so appreciate you being so real right here. I get it friend. I started praying for you the minute I finished reading your story. I know how you feel. When I started writing this book, all H_LL broke loose and I faced one spiritual, emotional, mental and physical attack after another. We have an enemy who hates the potential of God’s glory in us – when we live our lives completely dependent and poured out for HIM. Let me tell you..I didn’t think I would survive writing the book. And it sounds like you are in about the same place. I cried, I begged, I hurt, I quit my calling (in my head) almost every day but the next day I’d lay before HIM in dependence and rely on HIS love and strength to do what HE was calling me to do. I pray you can get a coy of my book. You will see it’s not a how to get over it book -it’s a how to seriously live in the security of HIS promises no matter what our emotions are telling us. How’s that for a quick note? I hope you know how much I love you sister in Christ – and how glad I am that you’re here! Do the Doubt Diet and if at all possible – please get the book. It’s on sale for under $10 on Amazon and other online site right now.
Praying for you!
Renee
Thank you Renee. Really. I do have your book. Am reading it, doing the 7 day diet and am writing all the verses in my 3×5 spiral. 8:09 am…going to trudge through.
Hi Renee,
Thank you for today’s devotional. It came at an appropriate time too…I was not feeling really well. I thought I wasn’t good enough..I am qualified for a position I just applied to but didn’t get it. Today’s devotional helped me remember that God is for me! I love doing good things He has planned for me and earlier today i donated blood. My blood type isn’t very common so if I can help someone else with that predicament, that’s a good thing. I began donating blood only last year after finding out my blood type isn’t common (I thought it was common). This is helping me feel better and leading my Bible study tonight will too and remind me I am precious and valued in God’s eyes and that He’s always there for me, to guide me…to a position that will be better suited to the talents He’s given me 🙂
Thanks and take care,
Julie
Amen Julie!! I love that you are giving what He’s given you to share. You are making a difference and I love your attitude of looking for ways to give even when you have experienced disappointment. God has a plan for you and He will honor the way you are living out HIS love! Praying for you now…
Renee. Thank you so much for being vulnerable in writing this book in the first place. I can Identify with your early childhood memories and one of my worst nightmares was of my family car driving and maybe not stopping if they knew I wanted them to stop for me
I have gone through the “diet” and the book is one that I will read.
I see how many women, whether they are in leadership, or whether they have never tried anything, limit how they see their own selves and their relationship with God because of their doubt. Thank you for this tool.
Blessings to you.
Your Promises to Personalize are great.
Thanks for your note Sandy. There was a time when I thought I was the only one who wrestled with self-doubt the way I did. It’s been amazing to hear hod God is using my weaknesses to show His strength, my doubts to build others’ faith, my journey to lead so many women closer to His heart. Praying hope will rise up in your heart as you discover more and more about HIS unfailing love for you!
Thank you so much for today’s encouragement. I just recently moved and I have always been so reluctant to drive on highways because of an accident in my past and my new residence is full of super highways. I have been tormenting myself with thoughts of how I am going to do this or that when it comes to driving. Last night I had to drive an area that I am not completely familiar with and I kept repeating God’s Word. My
emotions would try to make be fearful and doubting but I made it and I know that it was God. I have signed up for your newsletter but have not received it. I signed up again. Please pray for me and I am going to continue the FM verses.
I am praying for you right now Claret. If you don’t receive the doubt diet devotions please send your email address to [email protected] and let us know. Thanks and blessings!
I have been reading the other responses and for years, I felt so inadequate because of doubts and fears. I have been very fortunate to have had wonderful mentors and even counselors who knew I was not crazy and would never be. It was when I started reading His Word and I felt that what I have been going through was not in vain. He wanted my attention. Once I started acknowledging him and having a relationship with God, I will not say that doubts magically went away but God began teaching me. He did not send high profiled people but women who loved me and encouraged me to stay on the path. It is a “less traveled” path but it worth every moment that I have feared, doubted, and felt alone. God is sovereign and His Plan is perfect. I am going to pray for every women who suffers and ask God to bless them as He is blessing me. I ordered his book and will send e-mail about newsletters. To date, I have not received any. God bless you woman of God!!!
As I read this, I have to agree that I am worse when I am tired or just waking up. Knowing this helps me to ward off any negative thoughts. The song, “Voice of Truth” came to mind, also. We need to learn to distinguish God’s voice from Satan’s so that we can change the way we think.
Amen! I love that song.
What an encouragement!!!!! The scripture you refer to here has been my source of HOPE since I was a young girl. This is also something that is reiterated in the church I belong to. We are to build each other up not beat each other up. Those are things that solely come from listening to the lies of Satan. Thank you Renee for sharing this wonderful devotion this morning.
You’re welcome Rosemarie. I’m so glad you stopped by to read it!
Renee,
I am so glad that I am not alone by feeling that my self doubt is at it’s peak in the morning.
It seems that my brain is working in overdrive with all thoughts of self doubt. For that past 6 months, what ever I did whether waking up early or getting out my work clothes the night before it seem like I was always arriving to work late. When I am saying that I am late for work we are only talking about 5 to 7 minutes. Well, in June my boss told me that they weren’t going to pay me my monthly bonus which normally around $400 to $500. I was devasted with the news. When I talked to my friends and family they all said “Jacqueline, why don’t you just quit!” I would tell them I am not going to quit but I am going to look at this in a positive way so I can prove them wrong. At that time, I joined your 7 Day Doubt Diet. I received the email for Day 1 and then took the Self Doubt Indes Analysis. Well my score was: 198-155: Self-doubt is a heavy burden that seems to weigh you down and keep you from living fully. This just confirmed that I need to definitely keep on ready the emails regarding the 7-Day Doubt Diet.
I just wanted to tell you thank you for the emails because I find myself moving slowing to a more CONFIDENT woman. Also, I really would like to purchase the book A Confident Heart and would love for you to sign it for me. Please let me know if you are able to do that for me.
Thank you, again!
Jacqueline
Jacqueline, so glad God is using the Doubt Diet to encourage your heart!! Yes, you can still order the book. I’d be happy to sign it, but I can only sign P31 orders. Just need you to put a request for it in the comments section in your order online. Hope that helps!
Blessings,
Renee