Hi friends, sorry today’s post is late. Life is a little more than I’ve been able to physically manage today. I have a sick little one at home. And it’s more than just a fussy day, since she’s not able to communicate what she needs or wants and she’s very frustrated. One of the valleys we’ve been walking through is with our precious 3-year old, Aster, who we adopted from Ethiopia exactly two years ago. She was recently diagnosed with a speech disorder. She cannot say more than 5 words and she’s been digressing even more this week.
She’s also shown signs of a possible attachment or anxiety disorder and it’s just breaking my heart. I’m grieving the loss of what I’ve longed for now for over a year (to hear her precious voice); wading through the sadness of feeling like my little girl is locked inside and can’t come out. We’re going to be okay – today just brought more than I anticipated. But, God knew. Today’s devotion was perfectly timed for me, reminding my heart once again that He is for me, and He’s for my girl. As I take steps down this broken road I wasn’t prepared to walk, tears flow, and then God whispers, “I’m in control, you can trust Me in this, too.”
Day 2: Beat Up or Built Up?
Taken in part from Chapter 6
© 2011 by Renee Swope with Revell Publishing. All rights reserved.
Food for thought: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31 NIV)
One morning I woke up feeling beat up by discouragement. My mind was being bullied by thoughts of doubt. I can’t do it all! I am not cut out to be a wife, mom, and leader of an organization that ministers to women all around the world!
My thoughts were against me, and my feelings were too.
As I lay in bed feeling completely inadequate, my radio alarm came on. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Twila Paris singing to me. With confident assurance, she spoke truth to my soul, telling me this was no time for fear, but a time for faith and determination. She challenged me not to lose my vision or be carried away by my emotions, but to hold on to all that I had hidden in my heart, and all I believed to be true. Then she reminded me of the most important truth of all: God is in control.*
When I heard those words, my thoughts were aligned with God’s truth. It changed my whole perspective. I went from feeling afraid to feeling determined. From feeling out of control to knowing God is in control. I was glad I had set my radio to a Christian station the night before so I’d be awakened by encouraging music and truth that morning.
We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God’s truth build us up. If we have Christ in us, we have full access to God’s power and His promises to live with a confident heart. But it won’t just happen because it’s possible. We have to take action. Just as I had to tune my radio to encouraging music, we need to get intentional about tuning our thoughts to God’s thoughts toward us, every day.
In the same way a radio has AM and FM frequencies, so do our thoughts. They are either AM (against me) thoughts or FM (for me) thoughts. The truth is, we are often our worst critics and have a lot of AM thoughts. And if our thoughts are against us, our feelings will be too.
When thoughts and feelings of doubt come, stop and ask God for His perspective. Compare your thoughts to His thoughts, reflected in Scripture. Do they match? If not, look for a promise in God’s Word to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt.
Here are some AM and FM thoughts to help you get started:
- When doubt comes against me, saying I’m weak and all alone, I will focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me (Deut. 31:6).
- When doubt comes against me, saying I’m not good enough for a certain role or position, I will remember that God is for me! He says I am His masterpiece, created to be new in Christ so that I could do good things He planned long ago (Eph. 2:10).
Lord, thank You that in Christ I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to God. When doubt tries to bully me, remind me that I have been called out of the darkness to declare Your glorious light. I pray that You would teach me how to rely on the power of Your promises and remember that You, my God, go with me to fight for me against my enemies of insecurity and inadequacy. You give me victory. In all these things, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. (See 1 Peter 2:9; Deuteronomy 20:4; Romans 8:37)
*“God Is In Control,” © 1993 by Twila Paris. All Rights Reserved. From He Is Exalted: Live Worship CD.
Doubt Diet Tip: When you go on a regular diet, it’s helpful to start a food journal to keep track of what you’re eating. That way you can notice unhealthy habits and find healthy alternatives.Today, I want us to each start a “thought” journal to keep track of what we’re thinking so we can identify unhealthy “against me” thoughts and replace them with healthy God is “for me” thoughts. Here is a free download of AM/FM Thoughts from A Confident Heart, chapter 6.
Let’s Talk: Oh friends, I’ve loved reading your comments, praying for you and watching you encourage one another!!! Over 150 comments on day 1. Oh how I wish I had time to comment on each of them. Just know I am reading them all and praying for each of you. This is what I hoped we’d do: journey TOGETHER! And God is using it already to encourage those who are talking to each other, encouraging, praying for one another and sharing what God is showing them. Don’t miss out – be sure to click here to go back to my website (if you’re reading this via email) and then click on “Share Your Thoughts” below this Day 2 post.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Self-doubt and inadequcey are things I have dealt with for many years. Our youth pastor just recently started taking online classes so she “audited” her work load and made a list of things that others might want to ‘take over’ for her. As I read through her list two roles excited my spirit. I shared with her that I would do those however, since then I keep questioning myself if I am able and capable to do the tasks and to do them well.
I look forward to each of these ‘diet’ letters.
Don’t give in to the doubts Kristie. He quickened your spirit to these roles and He will see you through! Lean on Him!
Our God is awesome and amazing. He always gives us just what we need. His Words cover every area of our lives. May we all be tuned to FM thoughts today! Thank you, Renee, for sharing them with us.
Hi Renee,
I just read the P31 devotion for today and wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being willing to walk and share the grief path that I am sure took significant time. Praise God that you can now share the victory he has given! And you can now walk victorious! I also read that your sweet daughter is sick and is having trouble with speech. I am praying for you this morning. Please be encouraged by how God is using you each day to minister. Thank you, Renee!
thank you Renee for this incredible diet.it is a relief to know that I am not alone.
Many times we lack confidence in ourselves and let the past dictate to us.It is time to let go and let God have His way in our lives.As women we tend to let oyur spouses and children bring us down,but praise the Father for teaching us to reach out to Him.Many times i felt alone and incapable of achieving my daily goals,but I have learnt to ask Him to help me and I have found that it gets done so quickly.
I have learnt also that at my weakest point,He is the strongest and I will forever be reminded of His presence…for He said in his word that He will never leave me nor forsake me.
Thank you once again Renee and everyone involved in this Doubt diet for being and inspiration.God bless.
Renee
I am praying for your daughter to be well.God will do his good miracles upon her.Renee talking about doubt yesterday gave me lot of thinking.Most of time I spend doubting my self,thinking that I am not a good mother and wondering that will I be a good wife to my husband as we getting married in December.
But again I always kneel down talking to God,asking Him to Give me power and strenght.I had a money problem for planning this wedding thinking what am I going to do,I was afraid of going to bank to loan some money because I was blacklisted.But on Monday the 10/10/2011 I approached the bank loaning R50 000.00 and guess what…It is aproved.With God’s mercy now I can plan my wedding with no doubt at all.
I have not been able to get to this 7 day diet. I been going to the Drs because i will be going in to have my knee took care of. I sorry but i will dry to get back on it has soon has i can. Love and God be with you all.
This has taken me a long time to figure out. When people would say, “Take your thoughts captive” I remember thinking, what does that really MEAN? What does that look like. Once God revealed it to me, I am much more quick and able to take those thoughts captive and change my thinking. It doesn’t always happen right away and sometimes, I just don’t see it for what it is right away. Memorizing scriptures is so important for this battle. And then coupling it with Christian music. We Christian women need to be honest with each other. “Fine” should no longer be acceptable as an answer. Realizing we’re not alone can be such an encouragement! Thank you for the wonderful devotion today. I’m going to end my day with it 🙂 I love going to bed with encouraging scripture on my mind.
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
I know how you feel with your baby girl. You are not alone.
My family to has a sweet little girl that was diagnosied with a chronic disease
That isn’t nice and it is embarrassing. Oh how we agonized prayed and were
exhausted with worry. But praise God she continues to grow and flourish
Our lives have been complicated by more than just that. But I always know
That life will work out. It has to, because God is for us! Thank you for taking the
time to encourage all of us.
I pray for your little girl Aster and your family during these difficulties. I’m a speech-language pathologist and see what parents and families go through. It is so important to teach her as many forms of communication as possible (for ex: signs, gestures, pictures) while still encouraging the verbalizations. Children that use other forms of communication that is non-verbal speak quicker than when not using them. I explain to parents that it’s a bridge to verbal output. Studies demonstrate this and this has been my experience so far. The frustration with not being able to communicate your needs also reduces because you now have other ways to communicate. I’m sure your speech therapist is covering the bases but email me directly if I can help.
Thank you for the work you do. Helping us all realize our beautiful potential as we carry the light of God in us at every moment of every day. Blessings to all!
What a blessing this post was to me today. Thank you Renee. I often feel like I don’t measure up when I’m feeling overwhelmed as a full-time working mom of a 2yr old and a 6-month old. With no free time and an ever growing to-do list, I’m struggling to appreciate this season of my children’s lives while yearing for peace and rest. But I will replace those defeated thoughts and focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. I need to remember that the joy of the Lord is my strength, no matter how many hours of sleep I (don’t) get…
Thank you for the encouraging messages. They are helping me to find confidence to press forward. There are some areas in my life where I allow to be intimidated.
I am so thankful I came across this journey! Several months ago I attempted to download your book “A Confident Heart” on my nook and it would not download. Tonight I was helping my husband with something on the nook and remembered I had not read the book. It downloaded and I also had the Seven Day Doubt diet. I could not get to the diet analysis from the nook so I came to your website to try and find it. WOW! Was I amazed to find this journey that you have started. As a leader in a fairly large corporation I have been struggling with a recent employee related issue, I have been crying out to God to bring restoration but have found myself becoming so frustrated that the issue has consumed my thoughts. After reading chapter 1 and doing the devotional I know realize that doubt has me weighed down not the circumstance! I am so ready to shed this excess baggage so that I can spiritually be able to function so that this battle can be won unto the glory of God for everyone involved. Thank you for your faithfulness, I am excited to be apart of the journey. I pray that the Lord touch you and bless you and bring healing to your precious little one!
I needed this reminder today! Thanks for doing this again! “God is in control, we believe as his children we’ll not be forsaken.”
Beautiful, Renee.
I am so glad you are going through the doubt diet here. The truths God spoke through you in your book are so powerful. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this day. The AM/FM thoughts. So, so good!
Praying for you and your sweet Aster. So glad I know you are in not just good hands, but the GREATEST hands. May you feel His powerful and yet oh, so tender hands holding you and your family so safe, so tight.
Much love,
K
I always struggle to believe that I can work on more than one “trouble area” at once. While I know in my head this is possible, and believe that Scripture applies to EVERY aspect of my life, I have yet to find the ability to do it, and therefore constantly battle the thoughts that come with my “failures”. Sometimes it helps to just realize that others understand, have been or are there now, and that I WILL figure this thing out. Sometimes you can forget that in the middle of living life.
I don’t think I will ever look at negative, self-doubting thoughts the same way again! Thank you so much for these AM/FM thoughts examples, Renee. I practice scripture memorization, which has helped me immeasurably, but I often have difficulty recognizing the scripture as directed at or meant for me personally (if that makes sense). These examples show me how to turn the scripture into a personal format and I will follow these examples in the future. The AM/FM is a great visual also that I believe will help me to more quickly recognize when I’m thinking against me thoughts and turn them around to for me thoughts. Thank you again!
Angie, I know what you mean and I have experienced that to whether the word is for me. But thank God that I know that it is – Praise the lord. I am glad that you have too. Amen.
Renee I stand with you and our fellow sister in christ in prayer for the complete health of your daughter and for strengh for you and your family. Be encouraged. xx
Renee…WOW! With everything you have endured today, you still took the time to share your heart and passion with me and some many others. God’s incredible goodness shines through you:) Fear and doubt have been my companions since childhood. It started with my parents telling me that I would never amount to anything. In addition, they were critical and controlling, always “against me” but never “for me.” I guess because they beat upon me all my life this comes natural. It is so hard to trust God’s love and his best for me. At times, I feel as though I live in fear. I am constantly looking for the other shoe to drop. I am so grateful for this “new season of harvest” and can’t wait to see how God will use this for his good. So thank once more for stepping me and others through the 7 – Day Diet.
In Him,
I definitely am one who has AM thoughts. I am a perfectionist and it’s easy to get down on myself. I find myself so frustrated when I can’t do something (even if I actually am not doing that bad at the task). I need a daily sometimes an hour by hour reminder of FM thoughts. Thanks for this reminder Renee. I will definitely pray for you with your little one. I am one of God’s miracles when it comes to talking, sports, and academics. Please know He can work a miracle in each of your child’s lives. 🙂
I have had trouble keeping the negative thoughts under control. On Sunday, I laid down for a nap, curled in a ball, feeling like a frightened child. I was talking to a friend about it, and she told me, at those times, to picture myself being held in my Heavenly Father’s arms. It seems incomprehensible to me. I don’t remember a time when my earthly father held me in his arms, even as a young child. He loved me, I know, but I don’t remember a closeness to him.
I long to be held. My husband has what seems to be Asperger’s traits, like my son. He is not affectionate in his words or his actions. I struggle with loneliness at home, paired with my tendency toward depression. I know God loves me, but I still don’t know how to receive that love.
You know, Rhea, when I was a child I used to curl up in my bed scared of goodness knows what in the darkness in my room… my mom used to tell me to pray to Jesus and He’d take away my fear. My response to her was “I need Jesus with skin on”. Sometimes we feel like the doubting Thomas because we feel that we need Jesus with skin on, we long for something tangible that we can touch and feel. We want to feel those arms around us. Sometimes God will put a friend in our lives to do just that, especially if we feel like we don’t have those connections at home. I don’t know the answers…but I do know that God loves us with an unconditional love. He’s standing right behind us, tapping us on the shoulder, waiting for us to turn around…. we feel blind, desperately groping around in the darkness searching for something grab on to. God never changes….He is the steadfast rock in our lives. When we feel the darkness surrounding us, we can turn towards the constant light of Jesus. God gives us the strength to get through the periods of darkness in our lives…. when we rely on Him instead of our power, it gives Him room to shine…..
My son is dealing with an anxiety disorder and the medication prescribed causes him to move his arms like an autistic child sometimes does. It was so discouraging to realize the medicine was not going to work and we are having to work really hard with his school to help make some accommodations. I just have and had a lot of AM feelings especially I can’t do this again.. But your devotion reminded me that I can do this and have to stay focused on the journey… Don’t let the doubt over take everything.