Today I wanted to share my Chapter 4 video teaching message. In it, I share how God walked me through a process of looking back with courage – so I could move forward with hope. He helped me identify things I didn’t even know were affecting me and gently led my heart on a journey towards freedom.
{Are you a note-taker? If so, I created “Video Message Notes” in a PDF format here or in a MSWord doc here, just for you. Even included key verses and blanks to fill in.} 🙂
Let’s Connect
Let’s talk about how God is speaking to your heart through chapter 4 and through today’s video message. Click “share your thoughts” below this post. I’ll be here reading and praying over each of you and your stories. {Also, I know the timelines I encourage you to create might sound overwhelming or scary, so I recorded another little video message to talk/walk you through that process that I’ll share this week too.
For More Daily Encouragement join my Confident Heart Facebook page.
Receive My Posts in Your Inbox
If you aren’t already a subscriber, sign up in my right sidebar where it says “Receive Email Updates” — and you won’t miss a thing!
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Asking for prayers…for a bold, confident heart. I will be speaking at a Women’s Retreat this weekend and have never done anything like this before. I am trusting God as I obey Him in this and so thankful how He has led me and taught me in the preparation but still am feeling anxious about the actual speaking. How comforted and thankful I am for this online community!
God,
I praise You and I thank You for this amazing online community that You have created specifically for Renee and her amazing friends. Your Word tells us that where two or more are gathered in Your name, You will also be there. God, thank You for showing up on Renee’s blog in BIG ways this week.
I thank You for how You are healing hearts, setting folks free from their past, releasing us from our pain and loving us in only ways that You can! I thank you for each person that visits this page. I pray God that You will continue to use it to bring Yourself honor and glory, continue to use it to change hearts for your kingdom purposes, continue to use it to draw each one closer to your heart, and to continue the work that You have started in each heart as they seek yours and as they seek to have a confident heart.
Your Word also tells us that if we seek You with our whole hearts we will find You and that You will set us free from the captivity of our past. Thank You for this amazing promise. Thank You that your plans for us include plans to prosper us and plans not to harm us. Thank You that You are our Promise Keeper and that those promises include You as our Hope and You as our Future.
I pray that You will go before each person as they continue turning the pages of Renee’s page. I pray that You will reveal yourself in new and fresh ways. Fill them with your courage to keep turning the pages and to keep moving toward your heart – towards the LIGHT – and out of the shadows. Meet each one at their point of need and give them the boldness to deal with the shadows that they may be living in. Please continue to move the knowledge of your grace from our heads to heart. Fill us with Your grace, mercy, wisdom, kindness, love, discernment, compassion, and self-control.
Fill them with the courage and boldness to forgive those who have hurt them. Boldness and courage to forgive themselves. Boldness and courage to share their hearts and their hurts with you. Boldness and courage to lean into you for healing. Boldness and courage to move forward toward the light. Boldness and courage to move forward in their reading of A Confident Heart. Fill them with confidence and give them the strength to hold onto their confidence and to not throw it away.
Wrap each one in your arms and in your presence. Fill them to overflowing with your grace so that they can be poured out and be extenders of your grace and your forgiveness.
“I ask God to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us”. (Ephesians 3: 14-21, The Message)
Amen, Donna.
Thank you, Jesus, for your great salvation, for your healing, and for giving us a new identity in You. I agree in prayer with Donna, and trust you to continue and to finish the work that you have started in us, and to use all the things in our past for our good as we surrender then to you. Amen
I have more to share but I just wanted to say thank you to you Renee and all of the women here for being truly loving and supportive. The prayers and words of encouragement are awesome. I have recently decide to truly seek God’s healing regarding the the very root of my problems which deals with trust and deals with facing my past. Thank you Renee for reminding us that God gave us hope for future. BTW this is my second going through the book (re-reading parts I highlighted and the answers I gave from the questions in the end of the chapter).
I read this a few weeks ago and had to ‘re-read it and answer the questions. Last week, keyhole I was visiting family in Texas, my boyfriend and I decided to take the time apart and seek God’s guidance in our relationship. He had admitted he hadn’t really prayed about it before and we both knew we hadn’t been obedient to God by dating so soon. On Tuesday, we decided to end our relationship. God had spoken loud and clear to us what we needed to do. It was hard but we wanted to be obedient. One of the things God had shown me was how I don’t see what He sees in me. How I don’t see the beauty in myself, the pain of what others have said to me and about me over the years. The heartache I carry and how I sought my boyfriends acceptance and looked for my self worth in Him instead of in Christ. This was my first real relationship and it hurt to let go. I still hurt. We are still friends and we attend the same church and I am close to his family, but I still miss some things. I don’t want to go through the healing process, it hurts. The last 2 days I have woken up and just cried. Didn’t know how to make it through the day without God’s strength. I am grieving over a loss even though I know it’s right, it isn’t easy. I believe and know that through this process I will be stronger and God will reveal a lot over time. I ask for your prayers, today is a good day but yesterday, I struggled. he Not just with the loss of a relationship but the enemy whispered all those lies about myself as a mother as a Women that I have been dealing with all this time in my ears. Thank you in advance.
The first time I read this book, I don’t even recall reading chapter 4. As I process this chapter know, I am so grateful that I have been praying for God to heal me from my past. When I was 11 years old I was almost raped by one of my brothers friends, while my brothers were in the room watching. Outside of my therapist, I have been holding on to this violation for 38 years, and throught this chapter I realized that I have not let go of all the angry, and hurt that this caused me. I though that through my therapist I had worked out all the issues that came attentioned to this violation, but I know that God has called me to heal in a different way. He wants by soul to heal… Sometimes when I get a flashback I become so angry, and feel very alone. This morning when the flashback came to me I felt different, I have mourn this and now I will let it go. Jerem: 29:14 I will be found by you and will bring you (Lillian) back from captivity. “I am freed by though his Love and Healing”
“Faith looks back and draws courage; hope looks ahead and keeps desires alive.” Praising God!!!!!
Chapter 4 really spoke to my heart. I have always been one to hold all my hurts and pains inside . I was the oldest child and felt I needed to be strong and hold it together for my younger siblings. And the last few years I couldn’t hold those things together any longer. I grew up in a home that was very unstable. My mother was bipolar, but not diagnosed until two years ago, and my dad was an alcoholic. In turn I grew up very quickly , and felt I needed to be the adult to my younger siblings because my parents were not. I put all that weight on my shoulders for so long. Right after I got married my parents got divorced. I knew it was coming , and didn’t really allow myself to grieve that. I had three kids very early in my marriage and about two years ago I could not keep ignoring my past any longer. I became angry and depressed. I didn’t reach out to anyone, and took a lot out on my husband. I felt unloved, alone, bitter, and resentful. I too expected my husband to fill those holes that my past created. When I felt like he didn’t I turned to another man hoping I would find it there. That affair created wounds so deep my marriage was holding on by a thread. I finally turned back to god and pleaded with him to save my marriage and get me put of this mess. Amazingly , graciously he did. It has been a year now , and The Lord is showing me places in my heart that he wants to change, forgiveness that I need to give, and the grace that he lavishes on me. The part in chapter 4 about god being able to use you past for the future is so very true. Now matter what your past looks like he is waiting to redeem you and give you abundant life.
To god be the glory !
Watched your video yesterday and again today using your message notes…I love that extra component of completing the message notes and reflecting on them as well…spending some quiet time thinking about the past and the role God has had it play in where I am today in my relationship with Him and in how I choose to live each day of my life…
Looking at the past is hard, but God has really opened my eyes to a few people that I needed to ask forgiveness from and I did that today. I praise God that I had the courage to stand up to my past and I know there is a lot more to deal with. I pray that he will continue to reveal his plan for me and I will continue to learn how to confidently follow Him.
I have to confess. When I read the part about writing a timeline about past hurts I wanted to cry. I have worked so hard over the years to put those behind me and move on. I do pretty good keeping it in the past most of the time. There are certain times of the year that I can’t help but dwell on the past. I strongly dislike this time of year. If I could skip over mother’s day and father’s day I would. My relationship with my parents has been a roller coaster ride for most of my life. They can go and have gone years without talking to me. I have had issues with my dad since I was very young. My issues with my mom began when I got married. I just don’t think I am ready to revisit all those terrible memories and feelings.
Someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but are you aware that there is a lot of evidence that suggests that Moses was a stutterer??? If God can use him as His Voice and to lead His nation out of captivity, then He can certainly use you too! I am not trying to minimize your struggle. I am hoping to encourage you! When it seems hopeless, call upon an Aaron in your life to help you if need be the way that Moses did until you are confident enough on your own!
I had a hard time relating to this chapter, I wish it wasn’t so. I was Blessed with a wonderful family, good friends, and now a great husband, and I know God has called me his own and loves me, BUT I struggle with having hope in His plan for me when it looks so gray. I struggle with insecurity every day as a stutterer and am reminded of my hopelessness every time I speak. I long to be a great mother and to raise my children knowing and loving the Lord like my friends do, but feel I will be unable to teach them because of my limitations.
At this point I don’t know how I will overcome this. I pray for God to change my heart and give me His power in my weakness, but I am constantly reminded of my weakness. Today in another bible study I’m doing with my small group on Deuteronomy, Beth Moore talked about happiness, and I know I am happy, but sometimes feel like I could be so much happier if I could let go of my hurt and he healed by the Spirit. That’s where I struggle.
I’m praying I find out how to heal the wounds of my past, so He can start to recover my heart by praying about this has never been something I’ve done. I’ve viewed my stutter as God’s will for my life for 3 years now, and after praying for him to remove it for so long with no dismay, I closed that chapter of my life and moved on. The father knows my heart and already knows my prayers that I hide inside. After reading this chapter I think I’ve been embrarassed to talk about it with him, but don’t know.
I hope as I continue to read, the Lord will make it clear. I’m tried of feeling so afraid.
This study has come at such good time. I’m guessing when God knew I needed this most and could receive it. I have let fear and doubt control me for so long and it has impacted my marriage in such a negative way. I am finally seeing my sins in a clearer light. And while it’s never comfortable to see your sins, I’m thankful I can see them and by seeing and recognizing then, I can now do the work God has laid out before me to do and He’s using this bible study to do it. I’m seeing it in a different light. Instead of holding on to guilt and shame, I can let them go and place them in the hands of my heavenly Father and know He has forgiven me. This study has given me the courage to look at my past, my hurts and my pain and process it through Him. Instead of going to my old “what should I do mode”; I’m going to my God and asking Him for wisdom and relying on His promises. Trusting in Him. Thank you so much and I thank God for your courage and faithfulness to let Him use your gifts for our good.
I am so blessed and happy to discover your book and this online study. A song I heard recently (“Don’t Try So Hard”) by Amy Grant and James Taylor fits so perfectly with the message you are trying to enlighten us with.
It is wonderful to be reminded about your personal filters. We always seem to expect more of others sometimes. I’ve never realized my past could make me unconsciously resent my husband. I pray I can realize my disappointments and how they affect my here and now.
The scripture I’m hanging on to is Isaiah 61:1-4. I still am struggling with my daughter and her depression. I feel that this is all my fault. I wish I was there for her. I missed out alot of her growing up eventhough I was physically present. I found out she was sexually malested in grade school. I asked her was I so unapproachable that you couldn’t tell me and she said yes. That breaks my heart. Right now I’m trying to keep my sanity. I’m in a strange state with no job and no rreal prospect in getting one because she can not be alone with the baby at this moment. I’m asking God to give me patience. I just needed to vent.
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom & insight. It’s hard to think sometimes were not alone in each and every struggle of our lives and yet there are so many other women and men dealing with the same afflictions and hurt that we are. Thank you for all that you do and encouraging us to become better (more devoted) Christians & children of Christ. 🙂 Thank you most of all opening your life to us and sharing your stories. 🙂 God bless you! 🙂
Jeremiah 29:11 is a verse that I cling to, it gives me a confident hope for the future!
Renee I am having such a life altering experience during this study. I am a note taker and find myself writing whole passages from the book. So much of your story mirrors mine, and although I know it was painful to go through, it has served to bless so many. It helps give me hope that there is victory on the other side of what I am going through now! Thank you
I love your ministry. I am currently doing your online study but have fallen behind….It is difficult for me to take time out of my day for me. But what mom out there would argue that one. I recently had a state worker (we are raising a couple kids not our own currently) tell me she is concerned because I seem to have it all put together. And yet have the weight of the world is on my shoulders…..she went on to say, not only do I have my own 2 girls I am raising, but 2 kids not my own and that may as well be like 7 kids….
Haha. It is interesting, challenging, sad, joyful and many other things doing what my husband and I have chosen to do. Not to mention the fact that only months prior to taking on these kids, God was and continues to work on healing our own marriage relationship from much sadness, hurts and pain we went through for too long.
Renee is so right that in order to heal we have to go through it with Jesus! He is our healer our strength and our portion for every single moment we face!
You see, God brings us where we need because ONLY HE knows what we are capable of doing to honor Him and giving Him ALL the glory!
God has brought my husband and I to a place that can only be explained through Him and His Grace! We cannot take credit for a relationship made new. And we can most definitely not take credit for 2 kids who were completely flailing and over the course of 8 months have begun to understand, themselves, what a true and loving family is with the guidance and Grace of a loving Heavenly Father!
Thank you for this ministry! I hope to make myself take some time
To catch up with the online study!!
Thank you for today’s video. Before I even saw your post a thought crossed my mind about cetain issues of the past and how I do not want to think of them (I guess in a way not deal with them/not bring them back to the surface because I do not want to roll back to the shattered heart state where I was when they all first happened). I am basically talking about a few broken relationships with people who were important parts of my life at some point (one for 12 yrs and another for 5). It’s just hard to accept that possibly they were meant to be only in a ‘few chapters of my life’ and not in the ‘whole book of it’. I have a hard time letting them go even though with both we had zero contact for a few years, the hardest times are of course the holidays that make me think of them even more or ‘anniversaries’ of some type. But as you said in the video, I must take a rist of dealing with the ‘baggage’ in order for it not to impact my future. Thank you for the gentle push and encouragement, and I hope I will make myself courageous enough to truly heal and accept God’s will for these two.