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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God,
you will receive what he has promised.Hebrews 10:35-36

Today we have a short video message based on our key verse. I recorded this message to encourage and equip you as we begin our Confident Heart journey! In my video message I share how we can stop throwing away our confidence and start throwing away our doubts instead! I also show you how to replace your uncertainties with the certainty and security of God’s promises – every day! Please click the arrow below to watch. [If you’re reading this via email, CLICK HEREto find the video on my website.]

 

  • Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence PRINTABLE (click here)
  • Message Notes: Although the bideo and message notes say Segment 3, I decided to make this Segment 1 for us, so just ignore that little detail. You can download my video “Message Notes” in a PDF format here or in a MSWord doc here. I encourage you to watch the message once and let God just speak to your heart. Then watch it again and follow along with the message notes (if you want to) which include parts of the message, verses and blanks to fill in. 🙂
  • This Week’s Assignments:  Please watch today’s video today and finish reading (or start reviewing) Chapter One. Then when you have time, answer the questions at the end of the chapter. I’ll post a PDF to download with our word and verse of the week here later today. (Heading out the door to a Dr appt this morning.) Then on Friday we’ll have another post where we’ll share/discuss our answers and get to know each other a little better.
  • Connecting in Community: Ok friends, let’s talk. What are your thoughts about today’s video message? Are you going to take the 7-day challenge and actually write down your doubts? What about printing the download? Where will you put a copy or two so that you have it with you to help you identify your doubts and replace them with God’s truth?

{Remember, if you’re reading this via email, CLICK HERE to find the video and share your thoughts on my website.}

Comments

  2. I will take the 7 day challenge of throwing my doubts away. I think catching my doubts this way is a great idea because we are to bring our thoughts captive.
    I am going to put the pdf on my refrigerator and carry a copy in my purse so I may have them ready anytime I may need them.
    Thank you for the message and showing us how to hold our thoughts captive.

  3. I have so enjoyed the first Chapter, Renee thank you for following the Lord’s direction and bringing this amazing message to my life. When I read your initial Encouragement email a small voice said “look into this” and I am so glad that I did. I have some big decisions to make in the next couple of months and have had a rough few days struggling with self doubt and self criticism. Your strategy in” Don’t throw away your confidence” is awesome and I immediately felt uplifted – what a brilliant idea! I have my print-out on the wall next to my desk where I can turn to look as soon as the shadows start forming and immediately bin them! I love the idea someone had about the photo book – great plan. It is so amazing to read all the posts on your blog and realize that we are all in this together. Sometimes I feel so alone and isolated and wonder if anyone else experiences these doubts and apprehensions to the degree I do – it is so good to know that they are out there and I’m not paddling upstream on my own 🙂

  5. I’m definitely going to take the challenge. Its so funny how we will throw the power buttons away as quickly as our confidence. Usually for me, my confidence is the first thing I chuck. I can get up in the morning, have a good empowering moment, and then get rid of it the second doubt comes out. One way we truly can rid ourselves of it is a physical action to help stop the doubt train from getting on your brain’s track. I love the printable….I’m printing out a few so I will have one with me at all times to remind me of the Truth….because the truth will set me free! Thanks for that uplifting message! And all of the women on here….we can do this together ladies!!!

  6. I have the chart on my bathroom wall from last time. However have not used it like I should. Don’t think I took the challenge last time, but am going to do so this time.

  7. That was awesome! I printed my chart, taped it into my planner and posted one on the refrigerator door . I will take the challenge of trashing my trash talk!

  8. Hello Everyone!

    I pray everyone is having a wonderful afternoon!
    The video was a great teaching and really did hit home. I have always struggled with self doubt and it is something that I really dislike. I am one who alwas feels that I cannot get anything done and that I am never going to get anywhere in life. It is reall hard when it comes to my children because alot of the times I feel that I am not doing a good enough job as a mother, a single mother at that. I am going to take that challenge and everytime some self doubt comes to mind, I am going to right it down and throw it away! I am really excited about this Book/Bible Study and am really looking forward to the change that I am going to see in my life. I am ready to have the Confident Heart that I as a woman of God should have! Many blessings to you all and thank you so much Renee for being obedient to the voice of God, and writing this book and doing this study! May your reward be great! I know for sure it will! 🙂

  10. I think what I’ll do for this week is record my doubts on a paper, and ‘X’ them out while putting the reference to a corresponding scripture, and at the end of the week I’ll pick my top 3-5 doubts, and start memorizing the scripture to battle them with- including making 3x5s to carry with me wherever I go. And at the end of the week I WILL throw them out!

    While watching the video, a couple of other verses came to mind regarding the importance of what Renee has taught us this week:
    2 Corinthians 10:5b “…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” –this is what we are doing when we capture our doubts on paper and rid ourselves of them!
    Philippians 4:8 (grossly abridged) “…whatever is true…whatever is right… think about such things.” — our doubts are NOT truth. They are NOT right. What scripture tells us God promises is true and right. This is what we should be dwelling on, although it is so easy to let myself ruminate on the lies.

    Thank you for the tool to get me started on finding scripture to battle my doubts with Renee!

  11. Thank you for the video it helps to stay focused by your reaching out in various ways. We are studying trusting God in bible study and this teaching goes hand in hand. Trusting God in what he will do when things seem so dark and having the confidence to accept the sufficient grace is what I’m struggling with.

  12. There is a saying from a famous basketball coach ( I don’t know his name – I’m a football fan) that says “Dont let what you cant do stop you from what you can do”. I am going to tape this to my desk so I can see it all the time now.

    • Thanks Debi! Just copied down the quote. Have 3 x 5 cards on a ring (Scripture, Inspirational Sayings, & other Quotes) & will add this to them.

  13. What a great video message, thank you Renee! What a great idea to write down our doubts and throw them away. I think my trash can is going to be pretty full this week, LOL.

    But on a serious note, I love that you provided the “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence” worksheet with scripture and God’s truth. It’s easy to allow doubt into my head and sometimes scripture isn’t always louder than the lies. So having this worksheet to refer to will be a great help. I am a visual learner, so this will help me to memorize some key verses to counteract the lies.

    I’ve printed two of the worksheets because I am planning on framing one of them and giving it to my daughter to put on her dresser. She is in Jr. High and I remember how much doubt played a part in my life back then.

    Thanks again Renee and all the ladies participating in this online study, your words are inspirational.

  14. THANK YOU SO MUCH, I AM TURNING 40 THIS YEAR AND AM A SINGLE MOM AND NEVER MARRIED. I HAVE ALWAYS COMPARED MYSELF TO MY SISTER WHO MARRIED HER HIGHSCHOOL SWEETHEART AND SEEMS TO HAVE THE PERFECT LIFE. SO I HAVE ALWAYS VIEWED MYSELF AS INFERIOR AND USELESS.

    THANK YOU FOR SHOWING ME HOW GOD SEES ME. NOT THRU MAN’S EYES OR MY OWN.

    I HAVE ALREADY STARTED CLEANING MY HOUSE AND MY MIND.

    TWO THINGS I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT WHATS THE POINT I’LL NEVER GET IT ALL DONE

    BUT NOW I HAVE HEBREWS 10:35-36 TO HELP & PHILIPIANS 4:13 HANGING ABOVE MY BED AS A REMINDER.

  15. I printed the “Don’t throw away your confidence sheet”. The line that struck me the most was the third one, “No one sees me. ” To which I could add, “No one hears me.” I love your answer from God.
    “I see you. You’re precious and loved by me.” Isaiah 43:4 We are precious and honored in God’s sight.
    Wow! While I know this as God’s truth, I need to picture it across my forehead and reflect it to others.
    Thanks Renee!

  16. Thank you for the video message, it was really what I needed to be reminded of – ” do not throw away your confidence…”. Too often I let my fears and doubts stop me…….I forget whose I am, and who I am in Him. I focus on my fears….not on Christ nor His promises. The video message reminds me to stop doing that. I am a worrier, and the same thing worked for me to help me stop worrying…..I called it a “worry box” where I would write down whatever I was worrying about, throw it into my box….then write down a promise of God that would help me, and carried that promise all day in my pocket to focus on all day long. In time, it was cool to go back thru my “worry box” and see all the ways God answered my prayers and took care of my worries! This week I am focused on turning my thoughts to the confidence I have in Him……turning away from my fears and doubts. I will not be one who shrinks back!!!! Thank you Renee for the daily reminders and encouragement, as well as the prayers! Praying for all who are doing this study!!!!!

    • I love this idea. Making me a worry box this weekend. Going to give it a try. Thanks for sharing

  17. Ok so I can be lazy at times but I think I’m really going to try this challenge out. It’s for my own good right! Anyhow the part of the video that really stuck out to me was where you talk about talking trash vs. talking truth. So often I find myself speaking doubt instead of truth. But you know what I can encourage others in this area and speak it to them. I wonder why it’s so easy to do it to others but not myself. Well that’s why I’m taking this study to get to the root of some things so that I can truly have victory in this area!

    Also the scripture verse Hebrews 10:39 is speaking volumes to me. Wow is all I can say. I do believe I have read that verse many times before; however it really is talking today. To think shrinking back will destroy you. When I think of this I envision someone who is walking backwards and because of this they don’t see the danger that is behind them. Pitfalls and rocks that can cause them to fall on their backs. There are a few scripture passage that I’m thinking about now in light of this verse being shared. This is really some good eats!

    • Isn’t that the truth about being able to encourage others in their doubts and yet at the same time drowning in our own! I guess that’s why we are told fellowship with other believers is so important in the Bible- so that we can be encouraged by others.

      • You know I’m thinking now…if you don’t believe in yourself you won’t receive the encouragement that others do give you. I need a changed mind in order to believe the great things that they do say about me. I’m not sure if I am making myself clear but I guess you get me.

  18. I love the analogies used to help me see how easy it is to use the method of throwing our doubts away. I too often don’t even realize when I’m doing that, but have been more aware recently after reading chapter one, and viewing this video. I’m currently battling seeds of doubt in my profession as a teacher and recently passing the exam to allow me to teach a grade I’m not used to. I’ve caught myself thinking I’m not good enough to do that job, and all the other lies Satan tries to get me to beleive. I now will have the tools necessary to train my brain the truths in God, as well as who I am…a woman fully capable and confident! Thank you, Renee!

  19. Thank you for taking the time to teach and encourage us. I love having the print out of “don’t throw away your confidence”, I will put mine on my refrigerator. It’s so important to replace the negative voices with “THE TRUTH”, God’s Word, and when we meditate on the truth it will change our thinking, feeling and actions. When I have that voice come up, I am going to run to my scriptures and repeat it over and over again. I think I might put the ones that apply to me the most on index cards and attach them to a ring and carry them in my purse, b/c I am sure I will be hit with the negative thoughts anywhere I go. Like you mentioned, we allow these thoughts to be a part of us without even recognizing we are doing it, I think it’s because they have become such habits in our lives, now we must retrain ourselves to keep thinking on the truth instead. I think that’s why we have the word “persevere”, it won’t change us overnight. I will persevere.

    • Great idea! I did that too but the mess in my purse kept smudging the writing so I but them in those $1 pocket photo books-works great!!! Good luck with the study, will be praying for you!!!

    • oh wow I love this idea as well, I have a 3×5 card binder that would fit perfectly in my bag that I carry. I was wondering what I could use it for . Now I know. Thanks for the great idea!

    • That is what I was planning to do, although I think what I’ll do for this week is record my doubts on a paper, and ‘X’ them out while putting the reference to a corresponding scripture, and at the end of the week I’ll pick my top 3-5 doubts, and start memorizing the scripture to battle them with- including making 3x5s for my purse. And at the end of the week I WILL throw them out!

      • What a great idea, Lydia! Think I will keep track of mine as well. If I start with the doubts have most often can deal with them and then move on to others!

        • I love the ideas about the verse for your bag. One thing that struck me with writing the doubts down and waiting until the end of the week…. don’t let them stay even for a second. Maybe try not keeping track of the doubt, but add a new verse for each doubt. If you have the same doubt 10 times, find 10 verses to battle it with. To me, I have to trash doubt immediately or satan will just keep bringing it up as I review the doubts I marked off. Use the verses gathered a proof of your progress. Just a though that God laid on my heart.

          • That is good insight Angel! Perhaps I will just make hash marks on the verses or something to see what one comes up the most for me to memorize it. Probably seeing the doubts repeatedly would not be beneficial. Thank you!

  20. Wow this really came just at the right moment. I was born again exactly a year ago yesterday :-), but my husband hasn’t yet. I have struggled with expecting him to make changes in his life and behavior and this morning I thought this will never change. It’s funny because I know God is going to make the change is just that sometimes I feel discouraged just like this morning. I will definitely start throwing my doubts in the garbage! Thank you for the video Renee.

    • Lord, thanks for guiding Rita here today. I pray right now for her husband, that she will be a reflection of You that he can easily see. I pray you would give her the confidence in Your Word and she will remember to throw those doubts out where they belong! She is your daughter and we are so happy to have her in this study. Amen. Blessings to you, Rita!

  21. Thank you Renee for sharing this video! It was exactly what I needed to physically face my doubts. Looking at them and crumpling them up and throwing them away then replacing my doubts with Gods word and hope buoyed me up. Keeping those doubts at bay and keeping God’s truth at the forefront of my heart, mind and life is the challenge. I believe with God’s help and through this study I will be changed, encouraged and propelled into a future that is significantly different than my past.

    Please pray for me to continually recognize doubt and negativity and replace them with God’s truth and hope.

  22. This morning i was interupted while doing my Bible study and book study. My husband can not find his new debit card that came in serveral weeks ago. I have given it to him twice and he did not call it in and has put in somewhere! Well, he sees it as i have lost it and came in blaming me for moving it. I had gotten to the point years ago that I believe that I am a very responsible person because if anything goes wrong it seemed like I was responsible even if I was not even in town!! This is just another way that I have let people get to me and through all of it the shadow of doubt just grew and grew. Between this and everyone always telling me that I could not do things that I wanted to do. Depwnding on what mood that I was in, it could make be react in two ways. Either I would die or show them that i could do it or more often I would just quit and get even more depressed!! Between the depression from not pleasing everyone and doing what i wanted and the anxiety of trying to please everyone, not only have I suffered emotionally but also physically. I have finally realized that I am not suppose to be trying to please man but trying to please God. I am slowly trying to adjust my life to this but it is a long habit to break and I di find myself backsliding at times and I pray for God to help me with this and the self-doubt that it has caused everyday. I want to be a good wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend but I now realize that it has to be done through God’s will not through the guilt that some people put on me to make me do what they want. Their guilt causes doubts and so I am not going to give in to their guilt. everytime i start feeling that the guilt treatment is starting to work on me or that i start feeling the anxiety or depression and doubt creeping in, I stop and pray and ask God to please take it away!! I thank God for His love for me!!

    • Hey, your comment really hit me cuz that’s me too!!! I just spent a weekend with in-laws where everything that went wrong was somehow my fault and, unfortunately, my husband does not stand up for me in those situations. Also have an issue where my mother-in-law is recently widowed and “needs” my husband more than I do. He is going out to help her again this weekend (I can’t go cuz I have no one to watch my critters — darn!!) meanwhile one of our vehicles has been broken down for two weeks now because he doesn’t have time to fix it but he has time to help his mom. So I have been without wheels while she is getting a new floor. Yeah, it makes me feel pretty worthless. BUT, when I was out driving our only running vehicles today, the one my husband has to take this weekend to go help his mom, the alternator went out so maybe God is trying to tell my husband to stay home and take care of things here first. I’ve been praying for that. Hmmmm . . .

      • My husband put his parents before me since the very beginning of our marriage. It did not matter what they said or did to me, he never took up for me. If he did not want to do something that they asked him, then they would tell them that he was not doing it because I sould not let him so he would do it just to show them that I had no control or say in what he did!! Also he lied throughout our marriage and he also cheated on me off and on. Some of the times I found out about and some I do not have proff, just suspect. But I have stayed. I thought that I might be treated like a wife should after his parents died but there was always an excuse and then I found out that he had been calling a ‘friend’ of mine for 3 1/2 years but supposedly had not met anywhere and had no physical contact. Who knows because all i have is their word and that to me is not worth anything. She use to tell me that she would do anything to have a house like mine and also that if I did not be good enough to my husband that she would. When I found out about the calls, I called her and told her that he could have a divorce but he would not get the house. She did not talk to him anymore. But he was in love with her and not me. He could not get over her even though there supposedly was not making anymore calls. Ten moths ago I sent him to her house and told him to decide what he wanted. He asked her if there would ever be a chance for them and she told him no and then he asked if ther ever had been a chance and she told him no. She only wanted him becasue of the house so when she found out that it did not come with him, then she did not want him! We are still together but things are not very good. I love him but not like I use to. I also found out that he has never really been in love with me. He has feelings for me because we have kids together and have been together for so long and because I have been here no matter what. he makes himself look good to everybody and he knows that I would not be able to support myself, so he can treat me however. I was not treated any better by my parents either. talking about feeling worthless, unloved and alone!!
        Now I have really turned to God more than I ever have before. I always tried to build him up and show him how much I loved him but it was never good enough. I have turned it over to God.
        My husband can look at other marriages and see where the husbands are treating their wife bad but he never sees the problems in ours.
        I pray that things get better for you! Thank you for answering my post.

  23. This so perfectly falls in line with my personal goals of growth, and throwing away my confidence remains my greatest struggle. God has been placing Is. 43:19 on my heart and in front of my eyes for the past four months as I have witnessed Him changing my marriage, my husband and myself after 25 years of the same repeating struggles and negative patterns. He is doing a new thing, and I am grateful for this study and the part it will play in strengthening and refining me.

  24. Renee, thank you for this wonderful tool! I think this will really help me move forward!

  25. Wow. I am going to take the challenge. I also printed the PDF and will place it in the kitchen and at work just about anywhere I personally look. This really it me because when I was talking with God about a issue he whispered to me a solution and I automatically said no way. I couldn’t do that. I am not smart or gifted enough. This study is really hitting home.

  26. LOVE THIS!!! I am going through a time right now of fighting with self doubts of being a good parent and a good future wife. so the throwing away of those doubts is an awesome idea. My trash can is going to be full!!! LOL But it is needed. Thank you so much for our reminders of how God looks at us. 🙂

  27. Thank you so much for writing this book and doing this online study! I have struggled this year with God calling me to leave my full-time teaching job to stay home and homeschool my two youngest children. Financially this seems crazy but I know in my heart that it is God’s will. I do doubt myself sometimes and I even wonder how we are going to make it. He promises that He will provide and I have to believe that. The doubt and lack of confidence does sneak in but I always feel better when I spend time praying and reading the Bible. I LOVE the verses this week! I know in my heart that everything will be fine because I am doing what He has called me to do. I am so looking forward to this whole study. I can’t wait to see what God does in my life and in the life of others doing this study.

    • Melissa, I think following God’s calling was a courageous move! Good for you! My Sunday school teacher has said before that God calls us to do things we are unable to do on our own, so that we are forced to let HIM fill the gaps. I’m sure you are making lasting memories with your babies!

  28. thank you for such an uplifting video! i look forward to writing down my doubts/insecurities and throwing them away! this exercise will really open my eyes to how much doubt i carry with me each day and remind me of the power of my God!

  29. Thank you for the hand outs you are giving us and the videos. I am such a visual learner and I love them!!!! I am looking forward to seeing how God will engrave on my heart this week how often I doubt myself. I am going to do the Doubt challenge and write them down and throw them away. I pray this will connect my head and heart through knowing I am confident through Christ to actually BELIEVING and LIVING my life confident in Christ!

  30. Thank you! I have grown tremendously in overcoming my doubts but one lingers. That I will always be alone/lonely since my divorce. I didn’t ask for it, didn’t see it coming and wonder if I will ever share my life with a husband again. I also wonder if my children will ever get better as the ugly effects of divorce rear it’s head in their lives from time to time. I have led ladies in a study I teach to write down their doubts, fears,worries, and then bring them up to a shredder and shred them. Reminding them that the only way they are allowed to continue worrying,doubting, etc. is to dig the paper out and tape all the little pieces back together. Guess I need to get shredding, huh?! And reminding God and myself that I Trust Him!

    • Danielle, your words and honesty hit me hard as I too am carrying many doubts after being blindsided by a divorce. By God’s grace and His love for me I am working on building my confident heart. I pray that my children see that my trust in God is what is getting me through this all. My heart hurts for all children of divorce who have had their worlds turned upside down. Danielle, may your children be blessed by the care, comfort and peace that only comes from our loving Father, who holds them in His might hands.

  31. I am moving and have to look for a new job. I see great job opportunities in my new town, but many times I have recently thought, “I am not qualified to do that job.” Thank you for giving me confidence- to throw away that doubt! I will take up the challenge to write down, and throw out, my self-doubt!

  32. Awesome message, I often allow doubt to be a part of my life; I like the idea of writing it down and throwing it away. I used to write letters to people who I felt had wronged me and forgive them for their wrong doing; although I never mailed them it was easier to let it go by doing this. I have read chapter 1 twice and the scripture verses and have answered some of the questions. I hope to finish the questions today. Thank you for the Book & Bible Study; I know it will help me grow in Christ.

  33. So encouraging to know that others have some of the same struggles with doubt that I do.

    Very encouraging video.

    Thanks so much .

    • so often we feel like we are the only ones goning through something. even when we look at other
      sisters in our church bodies that look like they have it all together and haveing feelings of why dont
      I have it like she does. I am really looking for change for this study.

  34. I have not only had ti look at my doubts but my disappointments and expectations of people. I have had to pray to let go of these and leave the outcome toGod. Thanks for renewed hope and encouragement.

    • Deborah, I relate to your comment! I find myself being disappointed with my loved ones often recently, like my expectations are too high. I’ve had to actually tell myself outloud, “God can handle this better than you!” and quote Phillipians 4:6-7 :“Be anxious for nothing, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving in your heart, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Thanks for sharing your heart!

  35. Awesome message and great exercise to write down the doubts and throw them in the trash! Will be doing that while saying “boo-yah!” to the enemy! =) The Printable with God’s truth is also another great visual and that is going up in every room of the house (can you tell I’m a visual learner?), including over my two son’s beds as they too have very low confidence and I’m tired of the enemies schemes! Thank you for your help and allowing God to use you!

  36. Thank you for the video! I have done that literal “throwing away” before , but of all kinds of negative feelings.
    I have not done that in quite a while, though. Thanks for the reminder and the word. I am looking forward to what God is going to do through this study.

  37. Gods timing always amazes me. I have been wrestling with extreme feelings of failure the last several months. I have almost completely stopped going to church, and I have felt like I have completely failed as a mother. We are going through some huge trials and such right now and I have just felt great attacks from the enemy. Instead of fighting off these attacks I am just wallowing in self pity. I am so looking forward to getting into this study and I will definitely take up the challenge of wrinting down and throwing away my doubts this week.

    • Peachy, Thank you for your honesty about the trials in your life right now. The past two years have been very challenging for my family too. I felt the enemy attacking so many times and at times I was so discouraged. But I would like to encourage you to keep attending church. There were many times when I felt like going was a waste of time. But on the worst of days, when I made myself attend, it was those days that God spoke truth into my heart. He spoke of His great love and support for me. It was those days that I was encourage to persevere and keep going. God is with you in the trials, even if you feel all alone. He is holding you and loving you through it all. I will be praying for you.

      • Thanks Pam. I’m trying. I just feel like I’m getting no where. I’m just really praying I can have a breakthrough. Thankful for this study and for being able to share and see that I am not alone.

        • Peachy, You are definitely not alone in this! I have been going through some hard things lately as well (and I can especially relate to feeling like a failure as a mother). I also tend to gravitate toward wallowing in self-pity. Sometimes I want to skip church too, but I can’t since I’m the pastor’s wife! My husband is currently suffering from depression, so he is having a hard time leading, so it’s hard for him as well. But in all this, God is faithful. I may grumble as I get myself and my children ready for church, but once I get there, God speaks to me (through my struggling husband) every week. Hang in there! God wants you to have a breakthough even more than you do! He loves you so much! I hope this study is just the tool He uses to help you. 🙂

          • Peachy, Please know that you are not alone! Satan wants you to keep beating yourself up & to have negative thoughts, but God is greater. Just keep trusting Him! I am struggling with the feeling of being a failure of a mother as well. My family has been through a couple of trials within the past couple of years & are still recovering from them. Just keep pressing on & know that God knows your heart & will never leave you or forsake you. When everything seems out of our control we need to give it ALL over to God. I will be praying for peace for you & your family. God bless you!

          • Trace,
            Hi I appreciate you sharing of your husband battle with depression. So often we feel that pastors and pastors familys are excempt from the hardships of life because of their position.
            This encourages me that we are all people with situations and that God loves us all. Please dont mis- understand, I am not happy about his battle it is who we are inChrist not what position we hold the world. I hope I said that unoffensivly.

    • Peachy, don’t give up on God… he will NEVER give up on you!!! Now, more than ever, is when you need to pray, pray, pray and seek God’s truth and direction through His word. Oftentimes, when we are going through difficult situations, we try to “fix” it ourselves and become discouraged when we fail. God has the answers and will help you through it in His own timing. Be patient, wait on the Lord and trust in His wisdom. I have been there and quite frankly the bottom fell out underneath me, but it wasn’t until I completely set my eyes on God and was obedient to Him, that I felt a sense of security and hope. I will be praying for you. God bless!!!

    • Blessings Peachy, I dont know what is your trails but its ok, what i do know is that God says let not your heart be trouble. Sis God works at His timing and His pace we are not to question Him, just know that we all are here for you. Father in the name of Jesus we come to you with thanksgiving for Your true love over us, Father God we pray that You will lift up our Sis Peachy that her faith in You will over come the enemy, Father may You bless her family abounantly and we pray that she allows You to do Your will with her according to how it is written in Heaven, Father God we also pray for the rest of the Sisters partaking in this seminar that will encourage us to do Your will in Jesus Name Amen

  38. I have spent a lifetime living with doubt in so many ways, after reading the book and now starting the Bible Study, I know the Lord will deliver me and many others who drown in self doubt.
    Thank you Renee for hearing the call of the Lord to help so many women no matter what their age with this debilitating thought process we wander into during our lives, often triggered at a very young age.
    The video is wonderfully personal and the downloads make this whole study feel like we really are together in one place, God’s heart!

  39. The physical act of throwing away the bad and replacing it with good is great! My trashcan is ready and waiting for my negative thinking. I am also doing some of my studies on the computer as well because the book is online so I want my notes to be there as well. And with the recycle bin once its been dumped theres no retrieving whats there. Yay.

    • Debi: I just love the idea that once you dump something into your computer trash, there is no retrieving it! Can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought I dumped my trash only to find it was still in my house! I’ll be working on that in this study. Thanks for sharing!

  41. I thought about how many times in my past I had thrown away opportunities in my life due to lack of confidence…in myself, in my decisions, and sometimes in my ability to succeed at an opportunity. My confidence in Christ has given me strength…not just to take on new opportunities and challenges, but also to be comfotable with NOT always succeeding. I am not afraid to fail because I know that God works through ALL things…when I get it right, and when I don’t…He is there!

    • Jeanette, thank you for post as I have learned that God is always here myself. Opportunities and challenges will always be in our lives and we must always remember He is with us. Sometimes we need someone else to remind us.
      Joyce

    • Jeanette, I am so encouraged by your statement of “I know that God works through ALL things…when I get it right, and when I don’t,” because so often I’m tempted to think I’ve ruined everything by one small, poor choice on my part–forgetting that God is so much bigger than that!

      • Summer, I also often have times when I feel that I have ruined everything because of one poor choice. Thank you for reminding me that God is truly bigger than that!

  42. When I came across this bible study, I felt the Lord tugging at my heart to participate. And I am so thankful I did. I am at a time in my life where my husband and I have stepped out in faith in a direction that is so scary. After much prayer and searching of our hearts, we have stepped out by the leading of the Lord to adopt. And self doubt and lack of confidence is something I have dealt with a lot in this process… often questioning the Lord, “Are You sure I can do this? What will people think? Where will the funds come from? Will I be a good enough mommy to our new little girl? ” But time and time again, the Lord had reminded me of the promise He has given me. And following along in this bible study and listening to your words of encouragement in Christ has been exactly what my heart has needed. Thank you for taking the gift the Lord has given you and sharing it with all of us 🙂

    • That is so awesome, stepping out is scary but how rewarding when you are allowing Him to direct you. I will be praying for you during this study and for your adoption!!!!

    • Heather, that is so exciting! My sister just finalized her adoption of a little girl in March. Adoption is such an amazing gift to all involved! I will be praying for you and your husband as you step out in faith. Do not let your doubts rob you of the blessings ahead!

    • Heather, I”m praying for you right now!! Did you know my family and I adopted a baby girl from Ethiopia 2 and a half years ago? She was 10months old then and she’s just over 3 now. It was a HUGE step of faith – and I cannot even tell you how amazingly God provided and continues to. It’s been an incredible journey – with many twists and turns — but we have experienced Jesus and come to depend on Him in the sweetest most-life changing ways. I just know He’s going to do the same for you and through you. I’m so excited that you are following His lead and bringing a child into your home who needs a forever family!!!!

    • Heather,

      I hear your fears. I have 2 adopted children, 17 and 15 and we went through the same worries and doubts, and yes our faith was tested many times along the way. One thing I’ll never forget though, is when we brought our daughter home from the hospital, my husband sat on our bed holding her and said “we couldn’t have done better ourselves!” I was relieved to hear him respond that way. Trust God, he is walking with you every step of the way and knows what you’re going through and your needs. Look ahead to that day you’ll be bringing your child home. We have been extremely blessed by our children and I know you will be too!

  43. Thank you for the print out I will be printing them out and putting together a folder for my answers to the questions at the end of the book and the print out sheets. I love your idea for throwing away our doubts. I finished chapter 1 and was in tears by the end. The entire chapter was like reading a description of myself out loud. I realized I stuggle so much with self doubt and I am excited about reading this book and BEING TRANSFORMED .. Thank you so much <3 Hugs

    • I too felt like I was reading a description of myself outloud. The Lord is showing me too that by applying this truth he imparted to Renee and which she is sharing with us, we WILL be transformed. I am so excited and honored and blessed that our Lord would transform me from my current doubtful, anxious self to a confident woman of God so he can work through me to bring others to HIM. Praise God ! He is so faithful!

  45. Loved the video Renee! It is vital that we not allow those bad thoughts to be entertained. We must replace them with the truth…God’s Word to us. And we must do this immediately.
    I don’t know one person who has never had doubts; who has never thought themselves a failure. Who has never feared messing up.
    Why is that? Because we all do. Because it is natural.
    Why are we so hard on ourselves? Why do we think “its only me?”
    The vibes we give out to others when we feel this way about ourselves, probably sends them a message of “stay away.” Even though we do not intend for this to happen….I think we often do bring it on ourselves. We so desperately need confidence…we need to love ourselves the way the Lord loves us. We are all special.
    My pep talk again to me….shared with you all. :0)

    • good morning Judi,
      I like your comment about the vibes we give out. It is so true and reminds me of something my supervisor told me one day in a review. She said that I carry everything out there and I get so stressed about life sometimes that people are afraid to approach me because they can see the stress just oozing out of me. Daily i have to remind myself of this and try to make sure that I am not pushing away people by the vibes i’m giving off.

    • Judi,
      Thank you for sharing. Your comments are so true; I need to remind myself of this often because it often affects relationships with family and friends.

  46. Wow, I think you spoke directly to me on that one! Although today i feel quite empowered by God and no doubts are floating about today…there have been many days that they are. Gid has been doing a work within me and through this wonderful bible study I firmly God is using Renee to helpso many of us women who struggle with self doubts! Thank you Renee for allowing God to use to minister to so many others!
    God bless!

  47. Thanks for the video. I am doing something a little different with this study. I am doing it all on the computer. It really gets me thinking quicker than how I used to do it. I love the assignment and got so much out of it. In the other study I am doing, they actually have a group on Facebook that will hold others accountable to the reading and doing the study. I wished we could do that here. I have enjoyed every time of doing this study. It does bring me hope and a confidence in who Jesus is and how he looks at me.

    • Good Morning Jeanie. I too am doing mine online and my kindle because that is where my book is at. I like your idea of holding each other accountable for doing it. Why can’t we? We have the FB page and we have these discussions here. I don’t see why we couldn’t do it.
      God Bless

    • Hey friends!! You are welcome to form accountability partners and FB groups if you want to. I have some ideas I’m going to share on Friday about how others have done that. I just don’t have a large online team (or as much time in my week) as Melissa to form official FB private groups. But you are more than welcome to organize that on the side. Just please also share here too. I’d be so sad if I didn’t get to hear what God is doing in your life :0) and all that He’s teaching you each week. 🙂

      • I’m happy to share here. I get so mad at myself frequently when I can’t be a Godly woman. I feel like giving up and then remember how much satan would like that. No Way is he goona win. The video spoke to me on so many levels and I know I gonna fill up a bunch of trashcans. Thanks for all you do. Really looking foward to the journey. Praying for Asher

      • Blessings, this is just what the Dr. order no lie, I wished I was able to speak to someone outside of work or church.To someone that dont know me and we are, i had a bad time growing up was never loved by my grandma or dad whom i was left with from the age of 2 week when my mom gave a stwart desk me and a note with an address on it to take me to my dad. They was both young and he gave me to his mom that made me her maid, refuse to tell anyone i was her blood line. growing up i had to deppend on me, i had time i wish i was going to get out of there, i hit 17 years and then my mom send for me. from one slavery to another, here is was now i got a job as a maid in a hotel and every two week my mom will come for the check i sign she change it this went on for 2 years finally i met my kids dad and i moved in with him but up until i was 8th months pregnant i was still sign over my check to her. after i got the second one i learn he was cheating on me, i start holding a block not to get hurt anymore. i got involve with someone else thinking he care but it was just for papers after he got his card he was gone, which i was glad see his visa green card was taking to long to get and because of that i was beaten by him must the time. sometimes i was pull out my car when i work late shift (2:30-11) smelling me to see if i was intimite with anyone, or if i was found or he was told i was speaking to anyone there was a show. Then there was one that try help me and my 3 girls puting us up in hotel just to get a good night rest with out worrying, try to give the girls anything they might need without asking me or them, to findout later he was falling for me but was married, and stupid me believe he cared, after a will my oldest beg me not to have him pick them up anymore, see one day she had bad cramps i was at work and i asked him to take home for me, she said he must have think she was sleeping and he started corresting her leg, what kind of mother am i? I got tired of dealing with men i just wanted time for me and the girls, work have its ups and downs but that did not bother me as much as wanting to be loved, so i stop trusting anyone. one afternoon a friend from work invited me to his church and as i went i found some peace but not the real kind, then the voices start God you running to God, your satan child, no one will ever love you, you will make a bed of roses but no man will stay in it, you are a no body, they will used you but never love you, you will never make it, this words was my Grandma words to me growing up that start haunting me again. i used to love singing when i was younger i school i can never forget i never had lessed than an A for singing in school, grandma used to say you dumb girl no one will ever go and here you sing. all this start coming back when my last daugther at the age of 11 start singing in the church a song she wrote and the passion she had for music, i promised i will do whatever it take for my 3 girls and here she wanted music, God blessed her with a very talented teacher who fall in love with me and the girls, but i try trusting him, i wounder when will he hit me, cheat on me, lie to me or mess with the girls, he dont have kids of his own, but he keep doing things right, God blessed me/us with the man that makes me happy as if i was a teen again, just that God started to get jelous and ask me to choose Him or Dj, i told Dj i have to choose God over him that if i have to lose anyone it will be him not God. Believe it or not he said its about time, in other words he said God has been talk to you (me) alot lately and you need to stop doubting the voice of God and over come your fear of losing me (Dj). so when i saw your confident heart online study i saw God is making they way for me to start trusting and stop doubting, thanks you so much and God Bless

        • God Bless you and your girls Angie!! Keep your focus on the Lord and He will guide you in the right direction!!! Thank you for sharing your story!!!

        • Listen to the selective voice of the Spirit of God living within you, Angie. The world is full of all sorts of voices, but the one voice living within (Galations 2:20) is the one that always affirms you. Anything that brings condemnation is of Satan or his demons. God always loves us, and the Bible says when you listen, He speaks. John 18:37b, Jesus said that. Read His Word every day, out loud, and to your girls, too. You will discover that His voice is always full of love!

          We all fall, Angie, but Jesus paid the full price for all of our sins, past, present, and future. It is all in the Person and work of our Savior Jesus Christ. Hold tight to Him, and listen to His voice! He is calling you.

      • Renee,
        When you have those moments of self doubt and or insecurity, did you or do you get a hollow feeling in the pit of your stomach? Just you stating on this video how you experienced it brings that feeling to the pit of my stomach. I can always throw it away, but now that I have those verses that God help me I will memorize, I can replace them. Gods words is sharper than a two edged sword.
        I had suffered from some severe anxiety that included panic attacks and fears that God has freed me from nearly completely. I have experienced a miracle. I am so much more confident know but I know I can be more confident. Confident to carry out what God has called me to do. To speak to women of his truth, publically and individually. The “coincidence” is that your book came out about the time I started experiencing some confidence…but that is still not enough. His work must be perfected in me.
        In regards to FB groups… I actually wish I could meet with others face to face to do this study but I know that cant be. I prefer the warmth of the human presence, but hopefully I can join one of the groups and feel all you who are participating close to me.

        • Hi Diana
          I know what you are saying, I dont get a pit in my stomach I get this awful nervous feeling
          in my spirit. Its a little scary. really when you think u have God word then all of a sudden
          a rush of fear and doubt comes over me about my situation. I have to calm my self down and
          speak Gods word back to myself again. But memorizing Gods word helps. For me it gives me back the authority. I am looking for change through this bible study. God bless all of us.

      • Hi Renee,

        Are these video messages available on podcasts as well? I’m doing the study early in the morning at work and the videos are blocked. I would like to download them on my iPod and then be able to listen while I have my morning coffee/breakfast.

        Thank you!

  48. Thank you, Renee. Tears of hope streaming from my eyes. Thank you, Father, for your Truth.

    • Shelly,

      A quote from a movie is helping me as i start this:

      “Hope is a good thing- maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies”

  49. This really hit home with me today, too. I actually spoke the words, “I don’t feel like things will get better.” I have problems with my emotions and negative messages taking over my thoughts and my heart, especially when things going on are hard (like now).

    I will take the challenge and write down my doubts and then throw them away. I may need to do that more than once a day! I know that His truth can (and will) change how I feel and change my life.

    • Kelli I understand your feelings so very much. I have been living through a world of heartache for the last 18 months, well in reality the last 22 years. This message got me through some really rough days I over the last year!!!! I am sure it will do the same for you. I will be praying for you.

  50. Wow! This hit home with me today because just yesterday I spoke the words, “I don’t feel qualified to do that.” My emotions get the best of me sometimes. It’s not always just about how I “feel”…it’s also being willing to step back & realize that I am more than “qualified” to do this thing.

    The visual/physical act of throwing away my doubt is powerful! I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH CONFIDENCE is now waiting for the trashman to come take it away 🙂 I’ll do that as often as I need to & replace it with God’s Truth from His Word to transform my thinking.

    • Renee,
      This video really spoke volumes to me and helped me realize that I do sometimes throw anyway my confidence without even recognizing that is what I am doing. The illustration about the button for the remote control was an excellent illustration that helped me see how important it is to pay close attention to what I am discarding and what I am holding onto in my mind, body and soul. I am going to be intentional about replacing “stinkin thinkin”with the promises of God and I am also going to definitely write down those negative thoughts and words of doubt and throw them away. I am so grateful to God for his grace, mercy and His unfailing love and I look forward to my thoughts being transformed by Him through this Bible study .

      • I personally will easily recall “stinkin thinkin.” Thanks for the visual. (Been changing diapers for 15 years, so that puts that kind of thinking where it should go, in the trash!) 🙂 You go!!

        • You are exactly right because ” stinkin thinkin” does belong in the trash. Thanks for the comment and the encouragement!!!

      • Wow! What an amazing concept! Writing down our doubts and negative feelings and throwing them in the trash, then replacing them with the promises of God! I believe I will take this a step further and write down God’s promises to me (and you!) and post them all over my house, where I can see them every day, all the time! Can’t wait to try this Renee! Thanks for sharing your ministry with us!

        • Great idea Tami! Posting promises from God in likely places of doublt is a great way to redirect the heart and mind.

      • This was a great video message. Sometimes I have stinkin’ thinkin’. I’m in Alcoholics Annoynomous and that is one of our slogans. I have been sober for 13 years and have made so many mistakes in the past and the present. I want to be a better wife and mother, sister, neighbor and friend. God has continued to Bless me, I feel unworthy sometimes. But, I know that if I repent my sins I will be forgiven.I am going to post some of these Bible verses in my car, bathroom mirror and on the fridge. Thanks, Renee. 🙂

    • Renee , I loved the object lesson of throwing away the paper too! The thing that struck me is how these doubts have just become a part of me over the years, and they surface in so many ways. I realize I am not confident in sharing my opinions, and many times that quiet voice in my heart tells me to speak up or do something in particular, but I ignore it because of the confidence issue. I’ve struggled with it all my life. I didn’t realize how much it affects me, though until today. I was composing emails at work. My boss recently left his job, and I”ve had to fill in. It has been terrifying and I found myself today at the computer emailing several folks and almost apologizing for asking questions – because I don’t know how he handled certain details of the job.
      I couldn’t throw that apologetic self doubt in the trash, but I’ll tell you what, a DELETE button works pretty well! I did a bunch of deletion of doubt! And you know what, no one came back with a reply that was like, “Oh you can’t do that job” or “How dare you ask a question!” Everyone was full of helpfulness and optimism! In some ways it felt like freedom!

    • This video really hit home for me. For one I always worry what other people thinks about me. It stops me from doing a lot of things. Thanks for Hebrew 10:39, I can quote this when I think about this. Another thing is throwing doubts in the trash. I have a lot of those that is keeping me from doing God’s work. I know this study is really going to help me.

      • Brenda, I am with you. I totally worry about what other people think about me and it hinders my decisions. I always look for the approval of others and in doing so stops from doing what maybe God is calling me to do. I pray that this study helps me to gain the confidence that I know I have but have always been afraid to show it. Thanks Renee for your words of encouragement.

        • Im with you girl. I will pray for you during this study. If we open our hearts to him, We will overcome it. Praying.

        • I understand your feelings. It is trusting God and let Him lead you with the right words to say and not to say.. Reading His Word and meditating on it daily. Also I need to pray for courage to say things at work that will clear the air of any bitterness and resentment. To live at peace and good communication with my immediate assistant principal and co-workers. Thankfully my co-workers are wonderful and very supportive.