Beloved: greatly loved; dear to the heart.
There is a reason God calls us His be-loved.
Because we don’t have to “do” anything to be loved — by Him.
When we live loved…
We can be still…. stop striving and remember that He is God.
We can choose to find resting place for our restless hearts in HIM
We can stop scurrying and hurrying because “doing more” doesn’t define us
We can rest secure knowing His banner over us is LOVE.
You are loved…not because of what you do but because of who you are.
HIS {greatly loved, dear to HIS heart} beloved!
Our Word for the week: Beloved
Download our word for the week in a PDF or in MSWord. Be sure to print it and post it all over your house or office so you can remember you are God’s be-LOVED!
Let’s live loved in His PROMISE for us this week: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields [her] all day long, and the one the Lord loves rest between His shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33: 12, NIV
Today’s Assignment: Start or continue reading chapter 9. As you read, highlight or underline things you want to remember, promises your heart needs to hear. Take time to journal what God is showing you.
Connecting in Community:
I would love to know what one or two things you’ve read so far in Chapter 9 that you feel God is speaking to your heart about. Are there verses or sentences you’ve underlined or highlighted? Click “share your thoughts” just below this post and do just that.
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This was such a good chapter on NOT worrying – and trusting God. 🙂 Easier said than done some days, or when we forget God is in complete control – all the time! He does care about what we care about, and is always working out everything for our good and for His purposes.
I love this verse Renee added in Chapter 9, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” (Psalm 91:1-2
Another great chapter to ponder, think about, pray over and then put some of these things to action!
I have long known I’m more of a Martha personality type. I have been struck reading this chapter (like several of the other chapters) that you are writing for me personally. The truth is a balm to my troubled heart and a buoy to grab hold of in the turbulent waters. I’m thankful. I’m trying to train myself to think of myself as the Beloved of the Lord – such a term of endearment. It’s going to take practice, just as thinking of myself as God’s Masterpiece. I’m grateful for what the Lord has taught you, Renee. I’m asking God to reveal what I need to learn – I long to know.
I used to be a Martha–now I’m more of a Mary…it is SO much better to be a Mary….It gives me great comfort knowing that God is always with me…He gives me rest…He holds me in his arms……My favorite part of Chapter 9 is Psalm 25:4-5~”Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
My husband is facing serious health issues and our finances are in crisis. I read your P31 from a few days ago regarding Praying God’s Words – I am so needing to gain confidence in my prayers, and your guidance is just what I needed. I am not a great memorizer – but the first verse I learned was Hebrews – God’s Word is living and active. I didn’t really get that – until I read your application, to make His Word living in a situation and active in my life and those I pray for. What a revelation!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much, and God bless you!
Today my husband lost his job. Was fired from a contract position for ‘poor performance’. We have cut everythinhg we can and are still in the red. Now I know what people mean when they say they see red. All I see now are bills that won’t get paind, a child that will be denied, and my pitance of a paycheck go for nothinhg. How can I BE-LOVED in this. Where is God?
He does love you keep that in your heart and in your head. Don’t let that be stolen from you.
He does love you – God is right there with you, he will be with you every step of the way in this.
And he will NEVER abandon you ever.
I can think of all kinds of practical advice but that’s not what you need right now I don’t think
You need “My Beloved Child I am ALWAYS with you in good times and bad”
Cling to him and trust him. God will make a way
Whenever a job site is being renovated, it looks disastrous, hopeless and the furthest thing from what you would ever want to reside in.
God IS working ALLLLLL things for your family’s good and favor. And when this RENOVATION season has passed, you will find that His RESTORATION will surpass everything that you ever hoped or needed. Let Him work and watch and see all that He will do for you all!!
Just remember when the floods came up and the rains poured down, the wise one was not shaken because their foot was on solid ROCK…..the ROCK of God’s promises of HOPE! Keep praying for His peace and vision and Keep the faith, your Heavenly Architect is at work!!
So encouraged by your transparency Renee that a Christian sister I admire still struggles. My worry & fear almost beat me last year as satan really attacked my thought life and marriage.
I loved your visual and physical of writing down your worries and giving them to your cross.
I need to do this and not take them up again.
Bless you for your transparency and gift at sharing.
Thank you for your encouraging words, and for continuing to share the message of Christ to the world.
Thank you for sharing Pillar. I also listened to some of the music videos. The Lord loves us so much there are no words to tell of His love for us. I just hope and pray I can see and appreciate His love for me and be content and not complain. I am unable to share my story but I believe God will use me to share privately with loved ones who are in similar situations as I am in so there would hopefully be no condemnation. “I would be still and know HE IS GOD. Worry and anxiety indeed takes so much away from us and in my case if I can only trust God and know and believe He is with me always I would be a more confident person with courage. I do depend on people a lot and put my Trust I jn people well I need to practice what I say and apply it to my own life. Surrendering all is difficult but I know its the only way for peace in my soul. I understand and know some but I find it so hard to work at it in my own way of living. God bless you- Angela
I had the story of Martha whispering in my head, being talked about in sermons, opening in my Bible and finally highlighted in Renee’s great chapter.
W.O.R.R.Y=
W.orry
O.nly
R.obs
R.est from
Y.ou
That sums up the brokenness in my thought-life. No matter how hard I fight it, I always end up being defined by it one way or another. And yes, even God gives me the verse over and over to help me get out of the rut:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
It is a great tragedy to fight these battles in the mind, and then have to keep fighting it. You always have to be on guard, always get the armor up. But if only if I could just RESIDE in Him and COME to Him (or even RUN to Him) and sever the doubt, the hurt, the past, the fears that even birth that worry into my mind – how much MORE I could accomplish the right things through Him, and above all, how much more I can ENJOY HIS PEACE.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2
Like Renee said, differentiating between Good things and GOD’s things is a great way to eliminate a lot of the striving that causes worry. It has been a difficult lesson to me in the season I’m in. God is constantly reminding me that I’m here to please HIM, nothing else, no one else (even myself). And if my REST in Him PLEASES HIM….HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD I STRIVE TO LET GO!
Jesus surrendered everything for us….He is our role model – If only we could willingly surrender it all too.
I believe through it all, the more we KNOW Him, the more it will be easier to LET GO!!
“When things you want to control start to control you, ask God to help you let you let go and trust He is in CONTROL.” p. 178
Hello Renee I did join the conference call it was very helpful to hear you speak and thank you for sharing your story. I honestly would like to be able to tell when God is speaking to my heart and not me in the flesh taking control and doing things my way. You had said its an impression on your heart. I long to be at that place with The Lord. Thank you so much for this book Renee and this study. I am kindly asking for prayers I m going to drive out of state for the first time and I am anxious and nervous. I pray I pay attention and follow the directions correctly and get to my destination safely.thank you so much.
Hi, AAngie ~ I hope your trip went well and gave you confidence:)
Two thoughts that have touched me so far in chapter 9 are: He promises a resting place for our restless hearts. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.
(page 161)
Take the time to read Ps. 139:1-5 – what a blessing to know that He knows all about us.
(page. 165) God notcies and He cares (page 164)
He loves us so much!!!
Hi all 🙂
I love reading the responses they have helped me so much! I’m not alone in this at all!
Yes I agree about the bossing my heart around as I have had so many bouts of depression and despair because of losing my Job a few months ago.
But God is good! i have a temp job for 3-4 weeks right when severance pay was over 😀
Daily bread you know 😀 just in time. And I was just reminding myself this morning God loves me and he is never ever late!
amen to the daily bread – just in time.
God’s perfect timing. 🙂
Oh Renee,
Instead of bossing others around, boss your heart around by reminding it who God is…love, love, love that!!!
You are loved…not because of what you do but because of who you are. This is so freeing. Just this weekend, a church friend gave me grief that I should do more to help the church. I was offended. I already usher 5 hours every other weekend, mentor an inner city child, and work full time; on top of that I have two kids. I got offensive and wanted to say look at what all I am already doing? It’s not my fault that you are a stay at home mom with tons of family help and your husband pays for everything, is what I wanted to say. It still offends me that she gave me a hard time that I should do more. After reading chapter 9 today, I highlighted “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I also highlighted “Jesus warned that the enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The most important thing I highlighted was “When we find the important balance between talking and listening to God, we position ourselves to hear what He has to say.” I usually pray for what I need and what others need but now I will pray and listen for God. I cannot thank you enough for this book. It has helped me so much with working towards a confident heart.
Praise God –
God’s perfect timing is more than i can imagine !
I just recently wrote about how I was worried about my job, worried about my future, worried about certain things…
i didn’t understand.. why certain things were happening.. i really didn’t but like every detail every bitter event or happy event meshes together in God’s perfect timing…
this time of mourning and anguish was not in vain… i have a better understanding of trusting God, trusting God’s plan, guarding my heart even with the things i enjoy, putting God first and prioritizing better…
i am nothing, but in God I am made.
Praise God…
there are so many things I still have to do as my responsibility, but now i know and believe with a confident heart God’s promises are His awesome promises.
I trust in His plan, and time table.
Thank you for the encouragement.
Oops, I was laughing hard at the part when Renee took her puppies meds….my mind was faster than my fingers……
I read chapter 9 on Monday morning and monday night!!!!….and scanned through it again this morning..I kind of giggled when Renne asked us to share two things that spoke to us or high lited sentences, verses…..Ive hightlighted the whole book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!………;O) I have been totally blessed….this was another WOW chapter… Page 164 Worry Robs Us…it robs us of our confidence that God notices and cares about the details of our lives…and He cares. Page 158 Distractions and temptations…159 Concerns consume us… I loved “Try to control things and they end up controlling you”…On friday my youngest had all four wisdom teeth pulled out…as I saw her being taken back to the room, I started to feel anxious…I wasn’t going to be there for her at her side…Was she going to be taken care of like I do???? I was being distracted, then I remembered Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing…I felt the Lord will not leave her alone….I felt better, sat there and crocheted and prayed, until she came out, when she came out she was crying and wanted her “daddy”….he was waiting at home, and she was so happy to see him…we got her settled and the day began, meds, ice packs, cold smoothies….at the end of the day I thanked God for the peace, strength and patience I had all day. I thought of Matthew 11:28, Come to me all who are tired and heavy laden and I will give you rest…Thank you God….
Renee, I laughed so hard with the part about the I was sitting on the deck reading and people, walk early in the morning, and there I was laughing….all by myself!!!!!! The mental seizure part was my favorite…..As I read on I have to admit I was a Martha alot of my life, in the last few months I have slowly become a Mary..I love sitting and reading in the morning and then just going over scripture during the day and going back to the book just to re read things or share things with my oldest daughter…(.I bought her the book when I got mine for the study, she got to chapter four and stopped….I have been praying for her to continue)..
Beloved, WOW how awesome to think we are greatly loved by God…I feel warm inside…He just loves us just because, sisters…we don’t have to do anything as Renee says, He just loves us
I have trouble memorizing, but have found myself thinking of scriptures, and I am now using my Strongs concordence, its amazing how many I actually remember, not actually where they are, but some of the passage, and Im writing them down and have started with index cards, a couple at a time…..I have not been so motivated as I am now, I am so grateful for this study…My biggest worry is that my children are ok, safe and healthy…I heard God whisper…”I will take care of your children, I promise, trust me”…..there are times when satan just prowls around…”fine time..how old are you…youve tried all this before, and never stuck to it”…..I thought…”Whatever dude, nothing can stop me now!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I feel so free, yes I still have some healing with my past, but, I know God loves me, and He is in control….Psalm 46:10 Be still and know I am God”
I could keep writing all day……just one last thing, Kelsey posted a link to Amy Grants song Don’t Try So Hard…you all have to go to it…I wasnt sure how to post it on my comment, just scroll and you’ll find it…It will bless you….There’s are part in the song that says ” Your lovely even with your scars” Praying for all of you….
Anna, you are a great writer! Thanks for all that you shared!
Thank You Diane, actually, I never shared anything with anyone until I started this study..I can’t believe how easily things have come to me to write..I love it. I will pray for you, and all of us to continue to dig deeper into studying the Word, it has made me realize that without our Savior, I wouldn’t be where I am today…God Bless You
I love this study but still feel like Satan is constantly trying to deceive me into thinking God is mad at me or that I haven’t truly trusted Jesus as my Savior. How am I supposed to get past this? I want to be secure in my relationship with God but feel like such a failure…
Those are complete lies from Satan. Even if what we’re feeling or believing seems true, if it goes against what God says about himself or you then its not, period…no matter what your head or feelings tell you. Refute the lies with scripture and soon your feelings will follow. ‘Whosoever calls on the name of The Lord WILL BE SAVED!’ I looked up where this passage was from and it’s actually in many different books! That’s how much God means it 🙂 and one I have to constantly speak over myself to come against lies & false guilt is ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ Romans 8:1. So no, Hes not mad at you. You are the absolute apple of Gods eye, he can’t help but smile when thinking about you. Think of the love you have for your children (or a loved one) and times it by a billion 🙂 looking up verses on Gods love and meditating on them has really helped me in this area. As Renee says, you are his Beloved!!
I do take things to God but forget to stand back and listen to what He is saying to me.
Chapter 9 spoke loudly to me. My husband says my middle name is Worry. I’ve underlined just about every sentence in this chapter. A few of the things Renee wrote that shouted at me were: Sometimes I feel like I’m having a mental seizure. My thoughts get divided in many directions and I lose control of my thought processing system. Too often, instead of talking to Jesus, I think a lot of times we just start talking to ourselves in our heads until our accumulations of concerns become worries. I thought I was the only one that heard voices in my head 🙂
My main worry is about finances. I’m comsumed by it. Several significant events have happend in our life over the last 7 years. Thank you for the promises on Page 171 and 172. This is an everyday battle for me. I to, take depression medicines. I have tried going off of them, but decided I live a more productive life with them. My pastor said when people come to him for counseling, the first thing he asks is – Are you in the Word? Sadly, I am hit or miss. Mostly miss. The section on Spending Time with Jesus was very, very helpful for me. It has helped me get motivated.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts. Even if no one reads this, it feels good to get it out there.
I read this Sharon. I’m a worrier too. I am spending a lot more time with Jesus and I’m writing scriptures down on notecards. It helps to read through my scriptures each morning and at night before I go to bed. I am praying for both of us! I don’t want to learn things from this wonderful study and then walk away and forget. I want to walk away with a confident heart!
This song by Amy Grant has been very encouraging to me this week. I hope you are encouraged as well.
Thank u for sharing that song it was awesome 🙂
Kelsey….Thank you for this link, I loved the song….blessed
Thanks! I loved that!
I can’t wait to read this chapter today, but I have tried several times to hear the conference call amd I get a “page not found” errot. I emailed the host and was asked twenty questions about operating systems and software so I assume it is because I am doing it from an Android?? Or should I be able to from my phone??
I love this chapter because , I can relate to Renee when she says she feels like there are 12 voices talking in her head. I have allowed fear and worry to paralyze me. And it seems like every time I step out to do this one specific thing that God wants me to do. Someone always speaks to my insecurities . I am a person that 50 people can give me positive feed back and 1 person can give me a negitive and I allow that 1 neg to consume me. There voice and words will consume me. I have to say I am more mad at myself because I allow this to happen every time. I want to get to a place where I am obedient to God and not allow the enemy to come against Gods work in me . So I ask in all seriousness for you guys to pray for me, as I want to beat this thing. It has been tormenting me for yrs now and I don’t want it anymore, when I told God that , this study fell in my lap. That is why I love God soooooo much because He loves us . Thank you ahead of time for all your prayers as I know you will move moutains for me . I am expecting to be free after this study . God says to expect and I know he put this study in my life right at the right time. P.s. I had a vision in my prayer time that I was sitting in a chair and every time I tried to stand up someone would push me back down . I have come to realize that I am allowing them to do that to me . I am aware it is the enemy but I allow it to keep me there . Thank you sisters in Christ
I just read Chapter 8 last night so I’m behind, but wanted to share this. As I read Renee say that since God knows us, has a purpose for us, & loves the way He made us, she hoped we could say with confidence that we are “fearfully & wonderfully made,” I prayed God would help me really believe this. Well, I switched over to my Bible Gateway app on my phone this morning. Guess what the daily verse is?? Psalm 139: 13-14. 🙂
Hi Renee – I’ve noticed that sometimes messages come to me in waves. Today I was at a workshop and one of the speakers talked about the Slow Food Movement, as an analogy to education, and how education takes time. Same with relationships. Same with unlearning bad habits or old ways of being. I used to worry so much that my friends used to label me as “the worrier”, and if they found posters or verses related to worrying, I would be the recipient, but unsure how to change or apply such ideas to my life. I love how faithful God is in encouraging and teaching through the lessons and experiences of our life, and how He places people in our life to drive home His truth. It was 15 years ago that someone talked to me about Martha, and challenged me to consider how my approach to work and life was like that of Martha. This week, the light bulb came on – and I understand that what my co-worker was telling me in such a loving and caring way was God’s truth. A seed was planted then, and I did consider Martha’s life and her dilemma; in fact, many times I would ask myself, what would Mary do? I am not nearly the worrier I used to be, and this liberation from the chains of what if is like a new lease on life, on life with a purpose beyond my own comprehension. I am grateful you… and the many sisters in Christ who share similar burdens, and similar hopes. May our hearts be open and our minds be strong.
Amen!
“You are loved…not because of what you do but because of who you are”.
What a profound statement! We often think we are defined by what we do or what we have accomplished in our lives! But in all actuality we are loved just because we are!
God does not require for us to earn His love; He gives of it willingly and freely! No matter how we have sinned! No matter what job we have or don’t have! No matter how we look or want to look! He loves us JUST BECAUSE!!
I just had to share that because it spoke volumes to me as I read it! 🙂
I loved Chapter 9! The statement that really jumped out at me was “Not only does God want to give us peace that surpasses our understanding; He wants to surpass our need to understand with promises that are bigger than our problems.” Sometimes we think we need to know why something is happening, but if we trust God with every aspect of our life, we can rest and be at peace, knowing that He is taking care of us NO MATTER WHAT!!!!! Instead of striving to know WHY, we can live one day at a time listening to His voice, or simply following even when we can’t hear Him speak. That is truly “blind faith” and I know that touches our Father’s heart. We just need to remember He is always good and will always do what’s best for us. He is so amazing!
AMEN!!!
The section under Discerning between Good Things and God’s Things was huge to me. I especially highlighted the sentence on my 174, “Often times we expect more of ourselves than God expects from us.” My life purpose coach and mentor remind me that we are human-BEINGS, not human-DOINGS. On the following page I also highlighted “We tend to expect too much of ourselves and think we can do more than is realistic…” So true! I am learning to slow down, and prioritize what is most important. I am also learning to lower my expectations on life and on myself because when I don’t get everything done on my list for that day, I am not walloped with disappointment. I grace myself! In my morning devotion time I ask the Lord to help me to do what He has called me to do for that day. Doing so requires obedience and flexibility because His plans are not my plans! Just last week, I had what I thought to be my day well planned out. But a call at 11:30 altered my plans, requiring a whole new plan for that afternoon. I remember praying to the Lord telling Him that I accept the change in plans, adjusted the best I could. At the end of the day, I had peace knowing that I did what He called me to do.
I also love the Scripture from Psalm 25:4-5 (pg 172) “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Amen to that!
Hi – I’m joining this online Bible study a little late in the game – but Chapter 9 was very timely… over the weekend my thoughts were filled with worry, worry about my job, worry about the future, worry of my failures in the past, worried why I cant move on, worried if i messed up too much that i cannot reclaim what i once had a passion for…. with a lot of confusion and questions to add to the mix
and I related to what was written on pg. 169 about how i see “others who were doing well despite their own crazy lives…. wondered how and why i had slipped into this pit” as well as on pg. 170 of feeling “out of balance” and pg. 173 “[Martha] probably had an idea of what the [event/plan/etc] was going to be like and how much she would enjoy it. But then nothing went the way she planned, and her heart headed to the pit.”
But I found encouragement in God’s promises mentioned in this chapter:
“My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7
“The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.”
Psalm 138:8
You may think it was late but it is God’s timing that you have joined us late! 🙂
amen! thank you –
lana – thank you for your encouragement –
i have a testimony – yes God’s perfect timing – please read below
Renee I really enjoyed reading this chapter. I have often been called a “worry wart” by my husband. He never worries about anything and sometimes I get aggravated cause I feel he doesn’t care about a certain situation or he would be worried about it but he constantly tells me if I would turn to the Lord when these worries come upon me that I would be so much better off. I will have to tell him that after reading your book that I will do better.
I am also doing a another bible study called “Stressed-Less Living” and it was kinda ironic that this weeks study is on worrying. This just lets me know that the Lord wants me to get it.
I worry all the time! My husband says I make things up to worry about! Like your husband – mine does not worry about anything!!
Girls, I am a member of the Worry Club too. My husband says if I didn’t have anything to worry about, I would certainly find something to worry about:) Thank you both for your expressing your thoughts. Your hearts and words are so encouraging to me. I pray you both have a wonderful day.
Girls! My husband says the same thing! Pg 164 says the enemy is a thief! One of his most effective robbery attempts is through a string of worrisome thoughts. Worry robs rest from us. Worry robs us of our confidence that God notices and cares about the details of our lives. Worry robs us of peace!!! That’s for sure!! John 10:10.– the enemy comes to steal and destroy”. I’m praying that Jesus will help us to see what worry is doing to us. I like Psalm 139:1-5, that Renee put at the top of 165.
I relate to you Renee, I’ve always been a Martha defender too, “Who is going to do all this work?”
Sitting at the feet of Jesus, “Who has time for that?”
As you said, “Sometimes we don’t even know what to tell our hearts to do, because we are so much in the habit of serving God more than seeking Him that we become depleted and distracted.”
When I’m seeking God, I’m seeking Him in my service for others. I need to take time for service to myself.
Chapter 9 describes my mannerism to the “T”! I am a big time worrier. I think I worry when there is nothing to worry about! I love the acronym on page 164: Worry Only Robs Rest from You. I can not count how many sleepless nights and blurry days I have had due to worrying. And the sad thing is as you pointed out on page 163 40% of the things we worry about never happen, 30% are in regards to the past, 12% is worrying about what others think, 10% is worrying about personal health, and 8% are only the things we really can change. ALL which of things that consume me. 🙁
Matthew 11:28 really spoke to my heart. “Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” OH! Jesus is telling us to come to me, surrender yourself and your worries to me. Just do what you are equipped to handle, I will do the rest. I AM YOUR GOD and I love you.
Thank you Renee for reminding me that when I am stressing, I am depending less on God and more on myself when He is waiting, willing, and able to help me.
Courtney, I worry about everything also! My husband tells me that I make things up to worry about! I will pray for you to turn everything over to God and not take it back. Would you please pray the same thing for me?
Thank-you,
Christina Beebe
Christina, my OBS sister! Yes, ma’am. I will be praying that you will remember that God is sitting and waiting, waiting for you to be vulnerable and cast all your worries on Him. And that you remember that He gives us enough strength and grace for THIS day and not worry about tomorrow. And while you are praying to Him, He wraps his arms around you and reassure you that you do what you can and he will do the rest. He will never forsake you or give you more than you can bear. You are the apple of His eye and he loves you. God wants nothing but the best for you.
I will be praying for you daily. Worrying is a terrible disease that can lead to our demise. As strong women of God, we can’t let that spirit of worry rob our joy and separate us from the love of God.
He loves you and so do I!
Courtney
I have recieved a email from YouVersion the Bible App and they have studies for the week on Confidence.Just thought I would share.
I thank God for sharing in this study. As I read Chap. 9. I recognised this is also for me. When I read page 162 about making a list of what makes me worry and weary I decide to make the list. When I finish make the list, I burn it (literally) and denounce it. Then I replace them with the scripture verses on page 172 -173 by speaking out those verses loud. I will continue to repeat these verses. Pray for us.
What a good idea. I am a hands on girl myself and I have written out lists before and then torn them up, but your idea is new. During the last two years I have made tremendous strides in leaning on Jesus ( now that’s a good song….but I digress ) and find so many of Renee’s findings are what I also have learned. I just am not able to put it down on paper like she does. Thanks Renee for your obedient heart. This is my first blog….ever and I have really enjoyed reading your comments and lifting you up in prayer. I only wish I had tried to connect sooner.
Thanks, Renee, for sharing about your stress induced depression – I am still on medication to help with the same diagnosis although I was so unwilling to give into that, God gave me other HUGE symptoms that respond to the medication used for depression that I couldn’t possibly ignore them; however, I was still able to ignore what was really going on, if I had chosen to do so. God,, in His all knowing, had several other plans fall into place to bring me, finally, to a place of healing. Being a part of this study has helped tremendously and I thank you!
I was thoroughly convicted by my answer to question #4; could I drop everything if Jesus came to visit? My answer was YES, then I realized that Jesus wants to spend time with me every day and is only limited by me! In my healing process, spending dedicated time to Jesus has been my biggest focus, but I have never really thought of it as Jesus visiting – I will certainly do that now!
Chapter 9 was terrific and very timely. I had to travel for a family event and on route, started to feel sick. I have a history of a particular health issue and each time I feel sick, I am instantly worried if that same issue would repeat itself. This time was no exception, but God was gracious and I was ok throughout the event and was able to travel back. God showed me that it is important to trust Him, especially when things look bad. While it is normal for me to worry about a past sickness re-emerging, He is in control and He knows how to heal me. I don’t need to panic so much all the time.
I will say though, being sick in and of itself may be bad, but it’s not as bad the feeling of complete helplessness, even if it’s temporary. Not being able to do certain basic things like drive a car or read a book, or just chores around the house, it’s an emotional roadblock. But as Renee in this entry, God loves us regardless of what we do or don’t do. I’m thankful that He is faithful and continuing to teach me how to walk by faith and not by sight.
AMEN!!
I continue to be encouraged in the face of discouragement as I press on through The Confident Heart. I appreciate how you share your struggles boldly. It helps me feel less alone. Persevering. Praying it seeps in…residual doubt remains. That is what I am discovering. Pressing on.
With you, I am encouraged in the face of discouragement, persevering, pressing on. Blessings
Meant to say, not able too listen to the conference call…
Sorry.
Morning
I was able to listen to the call, as it comes up error…so bummed…that was a worry for me of not knowing how to do something so simple….my most worries are my family…spiritual walk….I feel responsible even knowing there adults…but it’s also a desire to see them where I know they can be…
So back and fourth I go….
Blessings
Patty
I am still trying to figure out why some can listen to the call and some can’t. I know how frustrating that is. Someone at the P31 office told me it has to do with the computer or browser you are using – which is above me in technical abilities :).
Here is the customer service number 877.482.5838
If you can call and let them know what is happening when you try, I think that may be the best option b/c they will know what questions to ask you to help you get access.
Let me know what happens 🙂
Praying!!
I too loved the conference call Renee. I have listened twice already and will listen again. I loved hearing about the different personalities. I had read a book about them when my children were young, but have not though of it since. Thanks so much for sharing about them. I underlined so much in chapter 9. I can so relate to what you said on page 159. “Even when we’re physically present in today’s tasks, our minds tend to live in tomorrow troubles.” WOW Lord help me to cast my care and live in today, knowing that You take care of today and all my tomorrows!! Thanks you for this book Renee, God bless you richly for how many of us you are helping to finally have a confident heart!! ♥
My dearest friend Renee thank you for being a friend in Christ to me and all these sisters that are in this bible study. I did not join your conference call on Friday sorry i missed it, I do enjoy listening to you. I will be honest and tell you I have almost finished this book but I do go back and reread alot. It is such a reference in times of need. God is great and greatly to be praised even in our darkest times. Illness has really taken my life and turned it upside down and at times it is a struggle to keep my mind on track. I doubt alot and feel very useless in my own existence but God is my strength and my joy and His plan is better than what I am in right now so I keep trying and look towards the promise of no pain and life eternal with God and His family. Thank you again so much may God continue to give you strength to touch sooo many hearts thru the word In Jesus name. Helen
First Renee I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing the conference call. It was absolutely amazing. !!! I loved reading chapter 9, because I am a worrier. My job requires a lot of traveling and on top of worrying I am pulled in about fifteen directions. There was one point just recently that I felt like so many people were pulling at me in so many different directions, that I was going to break in about a million pieces. This chapter made me stop and listen to God more clearly. My very favorite line in the book, ” I think I could more easily accept what God is doing if he’d help me understand why he’s doing it. But God does not promise understanding; He promises peace in the midst of not understanding”. So very COOL !!! Renee, I sooo want to be able to go to God with a listening heart and not a a listing heart. But, how do I know it is really God talking to me and not my inside chatter? I WANT TO HEAR HIM.
Christina, I love your question, “how do I know it is really God talking to me and not my inside chatter?” It’s good to know I’m not the only one w/ “inside chatter”. 🙂 I’ve been working on that the last wk, and it doesn’t come naturally, at least not for me! I’d be interested in hearing more on that as well!
You girls are NOT alone by any means!! Include me in that prayer!!!
I am a worrier too! I also have “inside chatter”! Please include me in that prayer!! Praying that we all allow God to quiet the “inside chatter”.
Hi, Renee.
Thank you so much for writing this book and leading this study. God in His sovereignty knew that this is what I (and how many thousand others?) need right now. I am blessed to be a part of this study and pray that many hearts will be touched and greatly moved closer to God through this.
Ladies, I would love to know what songs/hymns you find particularly comforting and uplifting. As we read about and talk about the importance of what we tell ourselves, and the need to put good stuff into our minds, I realize that there is a lot of silence in my life (despite the fact that I have 4 daughters whom I home educate) that often gets filled with negative self-talk in my head. I know that there is lots of good christian music, but would like to hear some of your favorites.
Blessings, and thank you all for all of the sharing from the heart.
I really should have said “God stuff in our heads” not just “good stuff” 🙂
If you enjoy listening to the radio…I recommend the radio station Klove. It is awesome! So many Uplifting songs and messages. They also provide Christian songs that can be downloaded for free. I hope this helps… God’s blessings!
I also homeschool, and we start the day with a hymn from a hymn a day book that tells the words and a little story about how the hymn was written. I love it, love hymns. The other tip I have for you is seeds listen online I don’t know the exact address, but if you google it, you should get the right page, and can listen to encouraging Bible verses. God bless you as you take every thought captive!
Hi Becky! I love listening to Christian music especially worship music. I find it really touches my heart and encourages me. One of my favorite albums right now is by Matt Redmond called 10,000 Reasons. I love the song called “Never Once”. It talks about how we are never alone because God is always with us. Jamie Grace is another singer I enjoy in particular her song God’s Girl. I listen to this music on a website called http://www.jango.com. You can input an artist that you like and it will play sings by them and similar type artists. It is a kind of make your own radio station site. 🙂
God bless you!
Edith
Thanks for the website Edith I love it. Had never heard of it and did not know it existed!!
I Am Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave. This song speaks so much to my heart. And I agree we need to fill ourselves with God stuff….there is so much other junk coming at us from outside and from within. Also another song that has always spoken to me is “He Who Began the Good Work In You” I’m not sure who did it. There are so many things we can choose to fill ourselves with, I pray that all of us will make the choice to be filled with positive, godly things and thoughts.
Have lots of great songs that help me and it truly is powerful to have them playing in the background of your day. Singing and listenjng to music always helps me when I am depressed, anxious, stressed, scared, doubting etc. “You Are My Refuge” by Paula Dunn. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban also like Sheila Walsh singing it. “Here in the Shadow” , “Faithful God”, “Quiet Places” all by Shannon Wexelberg. “Angel by Your Side” by Francesca Battistelli. “Carry You” by Amy Grant. “Come to the Altar” by Rosie Wagner. “Even if” by Kutlass “Every Step” by the Crist Family. “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis and “The Altar” and “You are my Shepherd” by Trisha Brock . There are so many more but I hope you will listen to some of these and that you too feel God’s presence so strong believing that He is right there and will never leave you no matter what you are going through.
Hell Becky, thank you for sharing I am have taken on the task to home school my four year old grand daughter I just started so I will need all the help I can get. I love listening to music it helps to keep me calm. One of my favorite artist is Yolanda Adams one of her songs I love is the Battle is not yours, I also like Shirley Cesar I usually find their music and other artist on u-tube.
Please excuse the misspelling I meant to post Hello!!!!!.
Thanks, Bernadette.
Lord, bless Bernadette for the willingness and sacrifice she has made to home educate her granddaughter. Give her strength and encouragement as she launches on this exciting and worthy undertaking! Direct her to others who are homeschooling, and provide her with the support she will need to accomplish Your will in this.
I have been dealing with a lot of anxiety related to my unnecessary worry. This study is helping me begin to replace my negative thoughts with God’s promises & truth. The song I have listened to on KLoVE that has been most relevant to me during this journey has been “Carry Me”. I am not sure who the singer is but I heard him talk about what led him to write the song. He spoke of such fearful anxiety that he went to the hospital thinking it was a heart attack & I completely knew God sent this message for me. God wants to carry me through my fear if only I will let him by trusting Him. I hope this song gives you the courage to trust God as it has helped me on my journey.
Hey Suzanne, I am like you with unnecessary worry and anxiety. The song “Carry Me” is wonderful! Josh Wilson’s story seemed like God’s way of hitting me on the head to tell me let go of my worries and let Him carry me. Another great song, with almost the same back story, is “Need You Now” by Plumb.
Thank you, sisters, for the music suggestions and for the encouraging words. It helps so much to hear how you also struggle with unnecessary worry and anxiety, and the mutual goal of replacing negative thoughts with God’s truth. It is one of my biggest struggles as I learn to trust God with everything. This study has been a blessing, despite the pain, or because of the pain? God is definitely using the pain to push me to Himself as the ultimate source of comfort and healing. May He continue to bring us all closer to Himself as we journey through this with Him. Thank you, Renee.
Hi Renee,
I’ve tried numerous times downloading the recorded conference call from Friday and keep getting an error. I’m so loving this study and want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for using your gift to bless so many woman. It is a true blessing and gift!!! Thank you for helping us move from the hurt of our past and doubts into our true identity in Christ. Believing and walking in my true identity in Christ is something I have been struggling with for so many years due to a childhood past of sexual abuse and a 21 year verbal and emotional abusive marriage that ended last September. The Lord has begun the healing but it is a daily choice to not listen to the enemies voice and to choose to believe and walk in the security and identity of who I am in Christ and that He has truly set me free! Thank you again! God bless you!!!!
I agree with your post, Sindy! This has been wonderful, and it is a journey that will, that MUST continue.
For me, too, to use your words, “it is a daily choice to not listen to the enemy’s voice and to CHOOSE to believe and walk in the security and identity of who I am in Christ and that He has truly set me free!”
Bless you, Sindy!
I worry about past hurts and I hold on to them—the opening quote really spoke to me….I cant succeed in my future hold on to the past w a death grip
Hi Renee,
Just wanted to let you know what a blessing the conference call was to me on Friday. I have listened to it twice through since and taken notes because the points were so relevant to the season I am in right now. Thank you!
Regarding topic ideas for future studies, some ideas might be: listening to God’s voice (as you mentioned); unpacking what “surrender” means and how to do that on a consistent basis; going more in depth on a personality study as it relates to self-acceptance; and how to discern God’s purpose for our lives.
I also wanted to ask if you could please pray for me. With God’s help, I am making tremendous progress in many areas of life; however, I still have trouble knowing God’s heart and Trusting in His Goodness due to things from my past. Thank you for all the studies you have done that are helping me to progress in this area.
God bless you!
Holly
“Beloved” is such a sweet word for God to use for His ppl! reminds me of the texts in Jeremiah where He’s talking about backsliding, adulterous Israel, yet He addresses her as “Virgin Israel”..so awesome for God to fully know us and fully love us.