Our word for Chapter 6 is HIS
Download and print a PDF file or in a MSWord file. Post it everywhere so you can remember YOU ARE a HIS – He has redeemed you and called you by name. You belong to HIM!
God’s promise for this week:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!” Isaiah 43:1b (NAS)
Do you ever feel inadequate and insecure? We have an enemy who is good at getting us to believe we’re not good enough and don’t have what it takes to be used by God. But we don’t have to let him trash us the way he does! Today we’ve got another IMPORTANT video message you don’t want to miss! It is one of my favorites!!
{Download “Video Message Notes” in a PDF or in MSWord just for you. }
{Download “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence” printable.}
Today’s Assignments: Print and post your Chapter 6 word and verse. Pray our Chapter 6 prayer and start {or continue} reading chapter 6.
“Share Your Thoughts” about Chapter 6 and today’s video below.
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I loved this video of throwing away our thoughts and getting with God’s Word. I have thrown away my confidence most of my life and allowed others or myself to define me. What a refreshing way to look at ourselves through the eyes of God. If we tell God, ourselves and others that we are not adequate then we ate calling God a liar. Loved chapter six and will be working on these concepts This is an awesome study. I am learning and growing a lot. God has spoken to me during this time.
Oh Michelle … you’re not alone! I feel like that very very often. I’ve been there, am often there! …. Praying for you this morning! Keep looking up…. and don’t compare you to anyone else!
I woke up this morning feeling like all the progress I have made was thrown away by me yesterday. I went on a field trip with my daughter and was in a group with a mom who is extremely confident and I felt she took charge of everything. I am one when a person seems so confidently taking leadership I will shrink back even if I don’t agree. Because I feel who am I to say anything they are obviously smarter and stronger and are more liked and who am I to tell them I disagree. But inside it makes me angry because I think who are they to bulldoze like that. But no one else has a problem with how they are operating so what is wrong with me? I feel so small this morning again. I so easily threw my confidence out the window yesterday.
Why is it so hard to change my mindset? I want so desperately to be confident. Is it because I don’t know how to let go and let God? Or is it because I want so desperately to be liked and accepted from people that God won’t let that happen until I seek it only from Him? I feel so lost and isolated and lonely and wrong, I hate these feelings. I never feel listened to. I never feel understood.
My doctor prescribed anti-depressants to try and help with all these depressed feelings it seemed to help at first but they are all back. How do I process all this with God? I feel like I cry out in my prayer journal all the time. But never heal all the past hurts regrets and mistakes. Do I have to go to every person in my life and apologize for who I have been?
Lord help me. I feel so small and lost and confused and frustrated. Why do I always feel like I am wrong? Show me please my stumbling blocks. I want to be free in You. I want to be able to love those you place in my life. I love my husband and my kids. I am so grateful for them. But I struggle in every other relationship.
I need you Lord Jesus. Please come over me, fill me, help me to accept your love and forgiveness. Help me to please be confident in You.
In Jesus mighty name, Amen
Michelle, my heart goes out to you. Sharing your story and your pain is often the first step to complete healing. Remember that God created you to be you. You are special in His eyes and He loves you more than you could ever imagine. When I am down, I turn on the Christian radio station and let the words of the music speak to me, it is amazing how just the right songs comes on, God is so good!!!!
I would encourage you to find a mentor from church that can walk this journey with you. Pray about who you should ask, God will show you. Let this person be the hands and feet of Jesus to you.
Renee has so great statements in Ch.6, pick a few and claim them for this journey. Cheering you on and remember once you surrender, then God is in control.
Michelle recognizing that feeling and crying out to the Lord are good first steps toward the confidence you are seeking. I have experience that often. I had to find support from loving non judgmentalpeople to accept rejection from others and myself. I read a book called How People Grow by cloud and Townsend to help me understand this concept. I had to realize that I was human just like everyone else and forgive myself in order to forgive others. What we see in others that we do not like is often what we have to work on in ourselves . I will say a prayer for you, Michelle that spiritually, physically and emotionally God will heal you. By being vulnerable and transparent you have taken a huge step to healing. I understand, believe me.
Praying for you Jerrianne. I can only imagine what you must be going (& have gone) through. Ps. 91:1, 2 & 4: “He will cover you…” Dwell, rest, trust, find refuge in Him, allow Him to be your “fortress.” And Ps 91:9-16. Call on & rely on Him, your covering, protector …
Tammy thank you for the prayers, I am going to look up those verses. Today I am thankful for the baby steps that happened already this morning. It has been so freeing know that God is in control. Now I just have to continue to hold on to that promise.
Looked up the verses and claiming them for this time in my life.
Renee,
Thank you for the reminder that GOD IS IN CONTROL. I needed to hear that this week as I have had to surrender my husband and marriage to the Lord. Lots of tears and soul searching. I spent tonight rereading Chapters 5 and 6 and it was just what I need. I rewrote the words from the song into statement form that I am claiming for my husbands mental concerns and my marriage.
Waiting and surrending it to the one that is in control.
I am going to use the AM/FM statement too.
Renee, I just have to thank you for the free download this week. I was up earlier for my week 3 walk/run struggling to complete my 3 minute run. (Doesn’t sound like very long but it was 5am and 40 degrees outside. LOL) As I was thinking I can’t finish this today the image of the don’t throw away your confidence sheet popped into my head. And then I remember Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me. So, I finished the run. It was an aha moment for me this morning!
And I had a great rest of the day after that!
I also found this verse this week: Psa. 78:39 “He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.” It made me stop and think about how we have talked about our hurt feelings from others. And how no matter how much we are hurt by others they are just flesh, a passing breeze, but God is always with us and He is the only one that truly matters. It is easier said than done but I am hoping to keep this verse (and others) in mind when I start thinking about what others think of me.
I am so thankful for this Bible Study. As I have said before, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
I just love how God has given Renee much wisdom in these teachings. I’m one who needs a ‘blueprint’ on ‘what to do next’, and Renee gives us the blueprint in these videos. She also gives us great scriptures from the Word to back up the truths that she teaches. I loved these scriptures! Hebrews 10:39 is one of my favorites… that gives me confidence and courage to persevere in the challenges of life. God never fails! 🙂
Bless you all!
Studying this week again, one morning I was talking to God about how locked in my insecurity I felt, how difficult my feelings towards myself are – like a prison. I felt the spirit say, but I already have secured the key. You just have to accept it.
I need to stop throwing away confidence.
I am just amazed at Daddy God’s timing. Last night I was singing with my group and it had gone really well. At the end of the service though the enemy came at me “big time” with old insecure, negative, comparison thoughts that I had thought I had gotten over. Daddy God was already pointing these things out to me and I had gotten rid of alot of stuff and then seen this onine Bible study and knew it would help me continue on the path I had started. Just yesterday morning I had taken off work and spent the morning with Father God to consecrate myself before Him, to be able to minister to the people last night. I had quickly thrown away my confidence that I had just felt so strong about just a few hours prior. I was standing praying asking God to show me something new of Himself even though I was fighting trying to reject the thoughts the enemy was firing at me. Later on as the service progressed, someone came up behind me and told me how they saw God in me and all over me and it touched me so. This morning I called a friend and repented of allowing the enemy to take my confidence and put back on me those feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. Felt so much better after talking with her and praying with her. Then WOW look what appears for today’s message. EXACTLY what I needed. I thank Daddy God so much for His mercy and faithfulness to me. We sing again tonight and I’m ready this time. More equipped and aware of the enemy’s tactics. I’m committed not to throw away my confidence tonight but BOLDLY GO WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE with Emmanuel (God with us!!!). Thank you so much Renee. This book/bible study has been exactly what the doctor (Great Physician) ordered for me in this season of my life. I KNOW I will be totally changed forever because of it. Daddy God is doing a mighty work in me for these last days. I will be a mighty warrior in His Army!!!
Thank you for sharing, you are an amazing woman of God. I think it is normal for us to be attacked, either by the enemy or by the sin of a fallen world. It is great to admit to these struggles and receive prayer from those we trust. I told my prayer partner that most of the time, people don’t even have to attack me, all I have to do is open a fashion magazine, and I will “attack” my own looks, clothes, shoes, accessories, hairstyle, etc. I have to replace criticism with God’s word, which Renee conveniently provided a wheel bunch in chapter 6! If only there was a find and replace function for our brains…
So glad to finally have something tangible to battle the feelings of low self-confidence. I am loving this study that is helping me focus on the truth instead of Satan’s lies. Why is it so easy to believe the bad stuff and not the good?
This chapter is especially hard for me as well as helpful. Hard because the ugly words that keep spinning around in my head and heart that I have heard over the years, are hard to silence. Helpful because I am reminded that just because I am struggling with a rocky marriage, stress from finances, and married to a non-believer, I am reminded that I am not alone, that I do count, because I am one of God’s children. It seems lately the more and more I am drawing closer to Christ, the more and more bad things are happening around me, and to me. I will however, not lose faith. I am remembering that God is in control and His works are for my good in all circumstances. Thanks to you Renee for reminding me, and all of us this very important message. Bless you for writing this book and getting His word out to all of us.
Janis- I could have written your post, you are not alone. I am in a 33 year rocky marriage to an unbeliever with severe mental issues. Lots of tears this week. I took the time to write out the AM/FM statements that spoke to me and I am going to claim them everyday.
This video is just what I needed. I have had such a doubtfully emotional week. I cannot wait to trow away my doubts. Satan has been attacking me with hurts from past all week. Both verses are solid truth I can use to fight lies. Thank you the book is something I plan to use from this day forward! Love reading comments too, can’t wait until Tues.
my sister and i just listened to your comments on the video and she said to me
”i have been looking for the little rubber button for my entire life, not because it was important
but i feared the wrath of others’ we have really had some revalations in this study.
things that were never spoken of becuase of fear
This has been the start of a very heart and soul searching study. As I have read over the previous post I too can hear my own voice, see stories of my past, I remember the pot of spaghetti being thrown and my mom with blood running down her face…. having lived through a violent start in life, when my bio-dad finally was removed from our home, I was so relieved. I was taught early to seek God. There were many unending days filled with questions of “why? how can this be?? .’it did not make sense to hear of a loving father’ Yet others would feel sorry for me that our parents were divorced, this left me unable to truly share as I was elated he was gone yet others comments left me feeling shame that I felt that way. I can see we [ladies] all go through our trials-the results are the enemy is trying to steal from us and have us to believe the lies. tears flow as I let Jesus heal those hurts. I too seek the word that gives me the shield of protection I so want. Thanks everyone for sharing and I have loved reading the words of encouragement- it sounds like it goes out to us all.
I am so blessed the Lord led me to you. I have been soaking in all of this good advice while yelling “stop smashing my toes” . THANK YOU THANK YOU May God richly bless you and your ministry, you are a God send to me.
Sorry it posted twice am having trouble with my computer.
My heart is heavy today and well I am having alot of self-doubt going on. I went to see my prayer counselor today only to feel like I am worthless to myself and to others. I understand how satan is playing with my heart right now but, don’t know how to describe it. When I read chapter 6 I saw myself in there in more ways than one. I tried to llisten to what my prayer counsleor was sharing with me but it was like there is this block or barrier of some type that is not allowing me to see whatever it was that she was trying to show me.
Satan has taken away so much of my life growing up and now he is working in my heart again. I feel like there is this spiritual warefare going on inside ot me and all I am hearing is your not worth it.Quit trying to be somebody that your not can’t you see that God is only fooling you. Who do you think that you are wanting to become a sunday school teacher and wanting to help out with kids church and maybe even someday leading a bible study. Are you crazy? I need for Gentle Shepperd as I call Jesus to walk me back into that light that I feel is fading away steadily. I need the prayers of my sisters to help me know that I am not a bad person to dig out that self-doubt and have a more positive perspective on myself as well as my future.
I am trying my best to keep my chin up and not feel so much worthlessness right now, but finding it hard to do that . I am being challenged by this chapter right here and right now.Well, guess that is all for now. thanks for listening to all my rambling
My heart is heavy today and well I am having alot of self-doubt going on. I went to see my prayer counselor today only to feel like I am worthless to myself and to others. I understand how satan is playing with my heart right now but, don’t know how to describe it. When I read chapter 6 I saw myself in there in more ways than one. I tried to llisten to what my prayer counsleor was sharing with me but it was like there is this block or barrier of some type that is not allowing me to see whatever it was that she was trying to show me.
Satan has taken away so much of my life growing up and now he is working in my heart again. I feel like there is this spiritual warefare going on inside ot me and all I am hearing is your not worth it.Quit trying to be somebody that your not can’t you see that God is only fooling you. Who do you think that you are wanting to become a sunday school teacher and wanting to help out with kids church and maybe even someday leading a bible study. Are you crazy? I need for Gentle Shepperd as I call Jesus to walk me back into that light that I feel is fading away steadily. I need the prayers of my sisters to help me know that I am not a bad person to dig out that self-doubt and have a more positive perspective on myself as well as my future.
I am trying my best to keep my chin up and not feel so much worthlessness right now, but finding it hard to do that . I am being challenged by this chapter right here and right now.Well, guess that is all for now.
You are in my prayers. Those verses in chapter 6 have been a great confidence boost for me, and I hope they can be the same for you. While we have no righteousness of our own, God loved us so much to redeem us and make us complete in His strength. So while you cannot serve God on untrue own strength, you can do wonders on His. Don’t give up, God is rooting for you and so are we!
Renee, I know we’re in chapter 6, but if I can just go back to chapter 5 (sorry, I’m a little behind). There is one sentence that summed it all up for me, the “a-ha!” moment. You wrote, “our family of origin does not define our true identity”. Thank you! thank you! thank you! I am so tired of being in a family where some are “so much more spiritual” than others. They freely cast there opinions (judgments) upon others: “you are not honoring your parents” (because I disagree with my Mom over how I parent my own children); “public schools are child abuse” (when their children have all graduated from public schools), “you need saved, you need Jesus”, because I don’t live up to THEIR expectations. I’m tired of feeling guilty because I don’t want to be anything like them. Although I am commanded to walk in love, I am not required to live like them and agree with them. My personal relationship with God is between Him and me. HE is my judge, so I better be more concerned about what HE thinks about me than them. And thank God that in Christ, I AM good enough! I have lived my entire life (47 years) living to please others. Not any more! Thank you Renee, for this fabulous, life-changing book! I especially love the prayers and the end of each chapter. I plan to write them all down on index cards and pray them every morning!
Our earthly families play a role in our lives, but a church leader once told me that our spiritual family redeemed by Jesus’ blood is just as important, and sometimes, if not more so. I’m glad that you are able to stop living to please others and just work to please God. My parents were pretty controlling over my life too, until I gently told them that I will be living how God wants me to live. They still don’t quite get it because they are not believers, but they see how God has blessed me and how much I have changed for the better, so I pray that someday, they too would join our spiritual family!
Thank you for your encouragement, Julie.
We went through a long battle with my parents last year. Luckily, I had the support of our church. We go to the same one. I spoke with our pastor and our parish assistant. My parents like to tell me the same thing. “Honor your father and mother” when I disagreed with something. It was over my husband and I’s parenting style verses theirs. It got pretty rough. What my pastor told me was. We are not required to obey our parents when we are no longer under their care. I was not dishonoring them by parenting my children differently than they parented me. In the end, my husband and I are responsible for our children, not them. It is tricky, because we don’t want to hurt their feelings. But when grandparents go against the parent’s wishes for their own children, then that goes against the boundaries of being a grandparent. It was a behavior that we had accepted/ignored for awhile, so they really had a problem with it. Plus it is kind of accepted by society with such signs as “What happens at Grandma’s house stays and Grandma’s house”, and “If mom says no, I’ll just ask grandma.” In the end, my mom said talk to your kids, put the “rules” on my fridge and when they ask something I can go to the fridge and ask them what would their parents say?
It does get a little tricky when parents pull the “honor your parents” thing. It caused me to really examine my faith, and even doubt that I was really a Christian. I began to ask, “God, is this really what you are like? Am I really going to live my life thinking that I’m OK and accepted by you, then on judgment day, you will condemn me?” God spoke to my heart and said, “You know you are mine”. I got chills, because I KNEW that it was His voice. I’m not sure where, but there is a verse that says, “parents-do not cause your children to stumble”. I’ve never heard this verse explained before. My mom and her siblings all believe that you respect your elders, and that adult children do not deserve respect. This attitude has completely destroyed our extended family. Even my uncle, who is a pastor,told me, “there is nowhere in the Bible that says children are to be honored.” I don’t want honor, I just want to parent my kids my way. Britney, it’s great that it seems your Mom is making an effort to do things differently.
Wow! I had to do a double take in Chapter 6, where Renee once too struggled with codependency also. Thank you for sharing these words. As I know personally the hurt, the pain, and the embarrassment of those words. This Bible study has been such a love and blessing to my soul with perfect timing.
I also want to thank everyone for the prayers lifted up in my name. God is doing a work through this Bible study, Renee, and my sisters in Christ. Thank you