Welcome friends! If you hopped over from my P31 devotion to find the free download of chapter 2 from my book A Confident Heart, or to sign up for my online study, or enter my give-away – the links and details are below. First I’d love to share a little of my story and why I”m offering an online study of my book here on my website in January…
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Several years ago, I discovered a powerful truth that changed my life forever and set me on a journey to finding a lasting confidence that isn’t based on my successes or failures – but solely on God’s unfailing love and powerful promises! It’s the title of chapter 2 and today’s post – Because God’s love is perfect, I don’t have to be!
For so long, like so many women, I thought I had to be perfect to be loved. I was convinced if let anyone see my imperfections and inadequacies they would think less of me, and eventually leave me -or distance themselves from me.
It was a compelling and paralyzing belief. One that catapulted me into a tail-spin of performance-based living and constant self-doubt. A life where my value was solely measured by my possessions, positions, and people’s opinions of me.
I carefully constructed walls around my heart to project false-confidence and protect my insecure heart. On the outside everything looked liked it was going well, yet on the inside I was drowning in feelings of not ever being good enough. With each attempt to keep others impressed and distant, I stepped further into the shadows of self-doubt. Even though I was surrounded by people, my insecurities convinced me I was all alone.
By the time I was in my twenties, I couldn’t pretend anymore. I ran out of the emotional energy it took to fuel my efforts. Although I’d gone to church off and on for most of my life, I’d never really understood messages I’d heard. But this time, I started listening and really hearing what was being said.
Over time God revealed His heart to me through sermons and books I read, but more than anything He spoke to me through the Bible. Through His written Word on the page and His living Word in the person of Christ, I came to know the perfect love of a personal Savior who pursues imperfect women like me.
I read stories that echoed the struggles and desires of my heart. Tucked within those stories I discovered God’s promises and how He responds to the heart’s longings and heals the hurts of His children. I read words that gave me hope and assured me that I was not alone….
Knowing we are not alone is the first step out of the shadows of self-doubt. It sets us free from feeling like something is wrong with us because no one else seems to struggle like we do. I believe Sam (from today’s devotion) realized this truth the day she met Jesus and felt the pursuit of His perfect love. She was made complete by the power of His love and was transformed from a life of shame and isolationto a life of freedom and Christ-confidence!
Her story of life-change is a picture of what God’s love, forgiveness, pursuit, confidence and purpose can look like in our lives! Instead of just writing a book about how that has been true in my life and how it can be true in yours – I feel God leading me to walk through the book with women who want to take hold of those truths but just aren’t sure how to do it.
So, I’m offering a FREE online study of my book, A Confident Heart, right here on my website. I want us to create a safe place of community where we can talk about how we got where we are in our self-doubts and how we can get where we long to be and then take steps together to get there- through encouragement, prayer and living in the security of God’s promises! Will you join me?
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A Confident Heart Online Study
My online study will begin January 16th. I’ll post 1-2x each week and will have guest posts, video segments and more! Because we’ll meet online, you can check in at your convenience any time of the day and week. I’m so excited about the ideas God’s giving me for it, and would love for you to join me! All you need is a copy of the book, a notebook, a Bible and a ready-for-God- to-do-a-new-thing attitude! Here are a few links I’d love to share with you today:
- Click here to find out more about the book and links to online stores that carry it.
- Complete the form in my right sidebar to receive more details or to join my Confident Heart Online Study.
- Click here to read the table of contents, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2: Because God’s Love is Perfect, I Don’t have to Be (for a limited time only). *It’s s in a PDF so your computer might warn you, but it’s safe to open. If you can’t access it, let us know though my contact form.
- Subscribe to my website updates. For online study participants, I recommend signing up for both in case some thing gets lost in cyberspace or spam.
A Confident Heart Give-Away
Win a $10 Starbucks gift card, a journal, a copy of my book and conference calls that will be an option for my online study! To enter to win, do any of the above and let friends know about my online study, devotion and or this post via email, Twitter and Facebook! Be sure to click “Share Your Thoughts” below to let me know you did so I can enter you in the drawing!
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If you don’t want to do all that, I’d still love to hear from you today!
How did God speak to your heart today through my devotion or today’s blog post.
Just click on “Share Your Thoughts” below to let me know and I’ll be praying for you today!
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I have really enjoyed your writings on the Proverbs 31 Ministries website and I forwarded the link to my friend that supports me in my new journey with Jesus. Thanks!
thanks for sharing this piece of scripture. i’m sure we’ve all felt this way a time or two in our lives – like the outcast, undeserving of love… sometimes it’s hard to imagine that there’s someone so willing to love us, despite all of our faults… someone wanting – desiring – to have us run to Him and just rest at His feet, and accept all that He has to give us…. in our brokenness, in our search of wholeness, in our outcrying for strength, love and peace – He can fulfill all of that, and more, if we just give Him the chance! …if we just surrender our hearts, and give Him the chance…
I was just thinking about you and praying for you…wondering what you were up to. 🙂 So excited to see God is leading you to walk through your book here!!!
I love your P31 devotion today. I was so touched by the way you shared Sam’s story in your book and how you showed us that Jesus MET her there, purposefully, in the loneliest part of her day.
Love you bunches! And thank God for the sweet ministry He has done in my own heart through your book and just you and your sweetness in general. 😉
Hello Renee!
I am SO glad you are going to do this study online after the first of the year. I had signed up to do it with Melissa but I just have so many things going on right now that I’ve not even been able to start reading the book. I had been saving all the emails so I could do it later.
I did post on FB and Twitter so that hopefully others will join. I do already have the book but would LOVE to win another copy to give to a friend of mine here. (I wouldn’t mind winning the conference calls either! LOL)
It’s waaaay too much to tell you about but suffice it to say that God has had me on quite a journey the last few years – opening my eyes and allowing me to see that I am NOT in this alone and that MANY others who ‘look’ like they have it all together, don’t!
I thank Him and praise Him daily for showing me this and for sharing people like you with me – people that are willing to put themselves out there and share their stories. It truly gives me hope that, WITH CHRIST, I CAN remember what HE says I’m worth.
Thank YOU for allowing Him to use you in such a wonderful way. I know that there are MANY who appreciate you – for your openness and just the fact that you “keep it real” (as Mandisa is always saying).
Looking forward to January 16 already 🙂
Thank you…I still struggle with believing that I could possibly have friends. I cannot seem to feel close to people and know that it must be some lie I am believing but it is difficult to figure out how to overcome it.
I have tried going through your book with another group but have been overwhelmed during this time period and havent’ been able to keep up. Maybe January will be better…I may try to find someone who might want to go through it at the same time so we can “compare notes”…and help one another….
It is good to have so many sisters…may we overcome our insecurities and become the confident daughters of the King that we are called to be.
Blessings!
Hi Carla,
I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in your struggle to feel close to people. I know exactly what you are saying, I am in the same place. I will be participating in the study in January and hope to see you there also! I will be thinking of you and praying for you.
Angie
Hi Renee,
Thank you so much for your emails and devotionals. I really enjoyed today’s because it spoke to my heart.
All my life I have felt insecure about myself and my worth. I have tried to make people like me for what I think they want me to be, not for who I really am. I try so hard not to but like you said, i’m afraid that if they see the real me, they will turn and run the other way.
I pray that one day I can get away from this kind of thinking.
I Love, Love, Love this site and the daily devotions I get. I have shared this with my mom, sister in law, mother in law and some ladies from our church! This is exactly what I need at this point in my life. God bless you!!
I signed up for your online study, I am already reading the book. It is great!
It sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of your book
It’s amazing that God knows just what we need when we need it! I have been at a very low point emotionally in my life. That nasty voice reminding me of past sins that I know God has forgiven and telling me I’m not good at anything, has been really trying to bring me down. Also, my husband has “back slidden” and now questions God and blames me for the problems in our marriage. I have been in trears so much lately, but your devotion reminded me that God loves me where I’m at and I am precious in HIs sight (as we all are). I have signed up for the 7 Day Doubt Diet and am so excited to see what all He shows me in the days to come!! Thank you Renee for following God’s plan for your life and sharing with us!
God’s blessings to you and all sisters in Christ touched by your ministry!!
Hi Renee!
Thank you for the opportunity to sign up for your Confident Heart Bible Series in January. I have been reading your book and can relate to so much. These are things that the enemy has been shooting at me to keep me defeated and to make me question whether my Abba Father truly does love me. The fact is that Jesus does love me; even more than I can comprehend. I’m thankful that every promise in God’s Word is true and it is His Word that I truly need to rely on in order to battle this fierce enemy. I’m so thankful and grateful for the Lord’s grace and mercy. Thank you for opening up the deepest wounds of your heart and allowing the Lord to work through your life so that you can be a blessing to others. I am anxiously awaiting your online study and look forward to growing closer to my Saviour each day.
thanks for your encouraging words today! It’s been a struggle-filled morning at work and the little break I took to read your devotion refreshed me. I’m signing up for the online study. thanks!
I thank God for this wonderful devotion ,which made me strong nd move confidently with his love,,after years of struggle with my loneliness ,rejections and frustrations.I thank God for his perfect love in our imperfections………..
I wasn’t sure when I read chpt 1 awhile back and chpt 2 today. I feel like a confident person. I do my job well, have various skills, can speak to an audience. I thought of a lot of areas where I am confident. Then when I read your words and understood your meaning of confidence, I decided that this book would be a benefit. Thanks!
Renee,
Your devotion today really just what I needed to hear. As a mom of 4 I often struggle with feeling inadequate and just like the mundane tasks aren’t good enough or I’m not good enough. Thank you for reminding us that Jesus will meet us right where we are and we are just perfect to Him. I will be signing up for the online study and am email/facebooking friends to join as well.
Thanks!
I’ve signed up for study and updates
Love your devotions! Struggling with many, many personal issues at this season of my life. I will join the Bible Study and purchase your book. I know my life is not about ‘surviving’ but ‘thriving’ yet it seems I have lost my way.
Thank you for your wisdom, heart felt love and compassion!
Renee,
I cannot begin to tell you how much your devotional meant to me today. The very issues I’ve been struggling with are the ones the Lord spoke to me about through you. I was in my own “Grand Canyon” (like the song), and needed to draw to Him yet felt paralyzed in doing so. He spoke to my heart through your words today and my Grand Canyon is now just a little dip in the road that I can step over. My soul rejoices!
I did sign up for your study and read the first two chapters in your book, which were more confirmation that I need this study. I hope to share on my FB page when my FB decides to play nicely with me. Right now it won’t play nicely, but I’m not giving up!
Thank you for the blessing of your gift pack to the woman the Lord leads you to pick. Secretly I hope it’s me. *grin*
May God continue to richly bless you
He knows just what we need when we need it. I’m amazed how God spoke to so many hearts in such personal ways today. It one I wrote late and almost missed the deadline to get it in. Thankful God made a way – and showed us all His faithfulness and love today! Thank you for sharing on FB – I would love for you and all your friends to join us in January!
I just got finished reading todays devotional for P31, about the Samaritan woman (SAM). It was just what my heart needed to remained of.
SO glad God led you to the devotion and spoke to your heart just what you needed to hear. He loves you so, Kim!
I wanted to thank you for your words I can truly relate to some of your story and some of Sams as well. I have been married for 23 years and have been with my husband for 28 years we have four children. I cant stay that my life has been easy and I struggle with alot of what you mention in Chapter 2. I thank GOD that you showed a different side to the Verse about Sam so that I can see that Jesus comes looking for us where we are and he knows every thing about us. I think I can be harder on myself than anyone else and have been going through some difficult times in my marriage and this has been on going for years. I seek God to know his will and his purpose for my life and my marriage cause I really dont believe I should endure what I have nor should I continue. I have place my marriage in God’s hands and I will leave it to him to lead me and guide me in the right direction no matter where he leads me I will follow. Thanks so much for your devotion to you calling and your ministry to women as we all may look different and come from different backrounds but deep down some will have gone through the same struggles as others and this is a place to be to lift each other up and know that no matter what GOD is good and he will direct out path if we allow him to live in our lives and in our hearts He will meet us where we are.
Ana, thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing your heart. You are right – our stories are often so different but our Jesus knows that our struggles helps us love on and encourage one another in Him. I prayed for you today to have wisdom in your marriage and for Jesus to show you His way and His heart for you. He loves you so much and He doesnt’ want you to be so hard on yourself – you are chosen and loved and cherished by HIM!! I pray you’ll come back to visit and maybe join us for the online study in January.