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.}
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I won’t lie … It has been a little rough — all those memories of insecurity and doubt! The pattern that emerged, however, was very enlightening! I already knew I was a people-pleaser but I didn’t realize just how much the opinion of others played in my life, even now. Our ladies started a study in 1 John and I am once again in awe of the God who loves ME!!! No longer am I willing to shy away from sharing the best Guy in my life. No longer am I willing to fondle the doubts that enter my thinking. No longer am I willing to skirt around the truth because it may make someone uncomfortable. No longer will I fear the retribution that may come when I start a sentence with, “In the Bible, God says …”. There is forgiveness. There is love. There is hope.
Since this is my second round on the online study, I’ve put these practices into play with my family, as well. When I hear my kids say “I can’t” or “I don’t get it” or “I’m not good at this or not good enough”, I’ve asked them to write down those words, wad up the paper, and throw them away. I’ve then reminded them of Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. This has been a wonderful opportunity to pour the truth into the lives of my children!
Great chapter- I never knew how much God speak to us about being confident in Him not myself. Thank you for offering this study.
I am glad god has brought me to this study!!!
Doubt is running my life. In the last year I had to make some difficult decisions and although I know in my heart that the decision was right, the back lash from the decision just keeps coming. Its affecting my husband, myself, and my daughter. I am doubting my ability as a wife , and a mother. My daughter is going through some hard times and blames me for all of it there is a lot of tension in the family and it is so exhausting. I have more decisions to make but I struggle so much with doubt that I cant move, or I come up with so many solutions and I cant choose. Most of all I feel defeated, hopeless and tired. I don’t feel like I have the strength. It seems pointless, like every decision I make is wrong. I know that sometimes when we make the wrong decisions, we suffer but when will it end? I know there is a plan but I truly don’t know what God is telling me to do. Is that because I am not a godly enough woman? I don’t know. I am going to try writing the doubts down and throwing them away, and I really hope this study helps. I just want to get out of this cycle of doubt and pain. Thanks to all of you for sharing!
I challenge you to replace each of those thoughts with a part of God’s word. Not being a godly enough woman is just another lie. It’s not how godly we appear, but how deeply we fall in love with our Father. Lean into Him and know He will complete His good work in you. Try using a new verse for each time a doubt revisits your thoughts. I’ve had to look up four verses in one day for the same doubt, but with faith and perseverance, now when it returns I can remember my verses and the feeling passes quicker. I still have rough days. now instead of doubts, I’m just tired all the time. My energy level has dropped. The enemy will use what ever he can to bring us down and keep us there. Still i am replacing these new issues with scripture. God will give me strength renewed. Please keep pushing forward and see where God will take you.
Renee,
I wanted to share that I loved the video and the idea of throwing our negative thoughts about ourselves in the trash can. Your message really spoke to me hard, as I have been having so many negative thoughts lately and feeling a little, well a lot unwanted and unloved and so very confused. I accepted Christ into my life on February 5, 2012, and this was one of the most amazing evenings of my life, as I shared this moment with my best friend. I thought that my life would always be full of love for God and His son, but the devil has definitely been reeking havoc in my life since this time. I am staying strong and when I heard of your bible study, I did not hesitate to sign up, as I felt God was calling me to attend this study with you and all the other wonderful people in the world. I am looking forward to studying with you and changing my life around for good. Thank you for your inspiration.
Dear Pam, How exciting it is to say welcome to a new christian. I asked Christ to be my Lord and Savior 9years ago. This bible study will be good for you but if you can get in a group study in a nearby church. Now is the time you need as much support as you can find. As you already know the devil has taken notice of you. He will do whatever he can to make you doubt your conversion. Don’t let him win. You have Christ and all your sisters to help you now. If you need help we are here. You can contact me @[email protected] if you would like ex tra support. Stay strong sister.
This message couldn’t have been better timed for me and what God’s been calling me to do, and the silliness I feel and profess when I say, “I’ll never be able to….” Throwing that away today!
Renee, thank you for all you do for Christ and for us ladies. I think everyone at one time or another has doubt or negative thoughts, I know I do and most of the time my feelings seem to come from no where. When I think of doubt or negative thoughts I think the devil is trying to break my spirit and bring me down. When in difficult situations or doubting my self I try to find the good and focus on that but by posting Gods promises to me everywhere in my home, my wallet, my car, in a book, etc I will continuously be reminded of Gods love for me. I will take the 7 day challenge, not only will I write it down and THROW it away, it will be written in my journal so that I too will be able to see where I started on this journey, just my way of sharing my life story and testimony. Lifting prayers for all, God Bless.
Wow this video really hit home for me. For one I always worry what other people think about me. That has keep me from doing a lot of things for the Lord. I felt I wasn’t good enough, I don’t know anything. Now I can say Hebrews 10:39. That is really going to help. Also I like the deal of throwing your trash away. Love the ideal. Thank you so much for the study.
I always fall into the lies of Satan with “I cannot change”. Thank you for sharing this exact trash talk and giving me truth talk to replace it with. I am going to memorize Phil 1:6 and claim it. Thank you for what you are doing.
That is the phrase that caught me too! I want so much to look like Christ…and I feel frustrated with myself when I *daily* do things that do not look like Him. I’m with you! Let’s claim Phil 1:6! He has started a good work in us…and He will complete it!! 😉
My first time through these first chapters that verse grabbed me and I added it to my life verse 1Corin 2:9 as another one that gives hope. Thinking on these verses when I feel paralyzed by doubt really does make a difference.
This video was spot on. I’ve used to doubt myself a whole lot more than I do now. It is very easy to doubt yourself and listen to that voice. I have learned and am still learning how to not doubt myself. I recently came running back to Christ after years of being away. I am so thankful that He is loving, forgiving and welcomes His children with open arms. I can feel my relationship growing more and more each day and my confidence with it. I am still learning to give a;; doubts and fear to our Lord and let His will be done in my life. I LOVE OUR GOD, OUR FATHER, OUR CREATOR. He is amazing and I want to shout it from the mountain tops! Doubt is no longer an option in my life, my faith lies in Christ =)
Amen, Ashley. I too am still learning how to not doubt myself, but have come a long way since Christ has been in my life. I pray for others who do not have Christ in there lives, for He is the way and the only way to salvation. He is my comforter, my counselor, but most of all He is my father. When I am totally focused with God I have peace and what a wonderful feeling that is. I do stray from time to time, just as with doubts, but then I jump right on the track with God as my focus and everything works out, so I am continuing to learn day to day how to give it all to God, and now worry or doubt myself. God Bless 🙂
I really like that tangible way of throwing away those lies that feed our insecurities and fears!! Our Pastor spoke about recognizing those “little” lies…like, “I can’t do this.” or “I’m not good enough” and to replace them with truth! What you shared is such a good tool to use to make a stand! I will be using this tool a lot in this journey of having a Confident Heart!! Thank you for sharing this!!
I am starting to recognize many lies in my life that I have believed and has caused me defeat! My husband and I are separated and there are so many lies that I have believed about our relationship. If I can throw away those lies and insecurities then I will be able to stand in the hope that God will do a new thing in our relationship!!
Cherie,
When I read your post, I had to respond. I know exactly what you mean about satan’s lies and them being prevalent in your marriage. I have a book suggestion for you – The Power of a Praying Wife. You have probably already heard of it, I’m sure. If you have never read it, I encourage you strongly to do so. I’m currently reading it for the 3rd time. I read one chapter a day and pray the scripture it references, journaling it all. I do this for both myself and my future husband. I became a believer too late (and his heart is too hardened towards God) to save that marriage, but I do know it will help me in the next! And why it is I never thought to hunt down scripture and pray those for myself, to claim the confidence God desires for me, I will never know! Thank you, Lord, for Renee.
It has taken me ALL WEEK to get through this first chapter. Every portion that I read brought me to tears so much that I thought my heart would break and I had to stop reading for a bit. Renee, I know that this work you do is definitely God’s will for your life, otherwise you would not be able to put into words EXACTLY how I feel and think. I first became aware of your book and Bible study almost 5 months ago and I knew it was something God wanted me to do, since I cannot seem to get past the pain of my life before Him without help. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I posted a request on Facebook for a new Bible to study to do. THE NEXT DAY the e-book version of your book was made available for free! So I came back to your website and discovered the next study starting this week. I am absolutely terrified at the idea of where He is taking me right now – in my life, through other Bible studies that I’m doing and now through this one too – but I’m also excited.
Oh sweet Carrie, I understand your fear. This was not an easy book to write. I had to walk through each and every doubt again and feel them deeply and then put to the test the very things I knew to be true and live in them. So many things surfaced that I thought I had worked through, It was hard. It was scary at times and it was more than I thought I could handle some days – BUT GOD showed up every time I came to the end of my self and the pain and the wishing things had been different – and He would meet me in those hard and tear-filled memories and sadness. He is there friend. ANd you are not alone.
Nothing can change what happened in the past but we can choose how we will let it define us from here on out. Satan wants us to stay there and wish it had been different or to question why God allowed it all but we gain nothing except sorrow and hopelessness in that. Jesus wants to walk with you through this and help you identify what it was but then name it and re-frame it through the redemptive grace and truth of His Word and spirit in you that is available to access power and healing He brings when we depend on Him for it.
I’m praying these truths over you and all the others here – as I lay my head on the pillow and sink into His arms tonight. You are loved!!!
Renee,
I really like your second paragraph of the reply. It is interesting how Satan and our flesh get us to focus on the negative and the past, and God wants us to hold onto his truths and move forward. It is interesting how we seem to live in the past and our regrets instead of moving forward to a better place. I never did understand why we would want to stay in this negative place instead of moving forward. Hope you sleep well. Thanks for all the thoughts you share on here and for leading and writing the study.
I wish that I had read this book about a year ago! My husband and I were having to deal with some major life changes that made me constantly rely on God. I was leaving all that I knew and held dear….family, friends, my 2 cats, my dog and my horses to move to South Korea. My husband had been born there (his parents were missionaries) but I had never stepped foot out of the United States! The hardest part of the battle, though, was having to fight off the words “I can’t do this” or “how can I do this”. I quickly learned that just giving those words up to God was like mosquitoes hitting a bug zapper! They were instantly destroyed. I had many dear friends that gave me books to encourage or wrote me emails which all helped me fling those words away.
There are still those moments, after living here over a year, that I wonder how I am going to do something, how could I possibly accomplish something and then those words of God flow into my worries and lack of confidence and remind me that He has “not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7). Thank you so much for giving me even more encouragement and helping me to see that I am not alone in my journey. I too had a life almost identical to yours but God has almost daily made me into something new…if I let Him!
Thank you for offering this study. I am really enjoying the process. However, I am currently facing deep doubt. My husband wants a divorce. I know that I have not been the best wife. But as I read your book I try to continue to believe God will guide me in the right direction!
LIbby, God is guiding you. Hold on tight to Him for He will walk you through whatever comes. I pray that as you continue to study, the confident woman you are becoming will be seen in your husband’s eyes.
Thank you for this study. It is already making me really explore my deep feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. One of those has to do with performance anxiety in regards to singing and playing piano in my church. I know I can do both of these things, but that self-doubt of “Will it sound good?” or “I can’t do this as well as someone else.” creeps into my head and I become my own worst enemy. I concentrate too much on doing it perfectly rather than simply making a joyful noise unto the Lord. I have other insecurities as well, but this is the one I am most recently dealing with. I need to focus on “All things are possible.” it is easier just to shrink back and let someone else sing/play when music means so much to me and speaks to my heart.
I had to throw away a lie right after hearing this. My daughters are sick and I haven’t had much sleep,and I felt like I can’t do this and then I remembered the truth of God that I can do all things Through Him who gives me strength. The video came right when I needed it. Thanks
This is what I need at this time in my life! God is calling and I keep throwing away my confidence, listening to the little voice that says “you’re not good enough, you can’t do this”. Wow, I need to focus on God’s Word and not allow doubt inside my mind!
Thank you for such a good word!
I am constantly struggling with feelings of inadequacy. My head knows the Truth, but my heart just refuses to listen. It is sooo frustrating. I really hope that through this study I will be able to PERSEVERE and RECEIVE what the Lord has promised.
Just love it Renee. Thank you! I”m committing. You know my lack of confidence used to be so obvious. And I did get some deep healing as I received the Truth of His everlasting love. I do believe however, God has called me to this study for this time in my life. I believe He wants to uncover some of the less obvious doubts I have, the ones I don’t see, the ones that are at work without me seeing or feeling them fully. Thank you for this opportunity to dig deeper, come up higher, and receive a new revelation of the confidence I can claim in God alone.
I agree. I know there are “hidden” doubts, just as we have sins that we don’t identify. I want them to come out into the light so I can deal with them and throw them AWAY!