{WELCOME Encouragement for Today Readers & Online Study Friends!!}
In my P31 Encouragement for Today devotion, I posed the question… Do you ever feel like you don’t measure up?
And now I want us to dig a little deeper. Have you ever stopped to ask, “Who is saying these things? Who is causing me to doubt myself? Is it me? Has something from my past led me to believe this? Or is it the enemy of my soul disguising his voice as my own?”
It is crucial for us to realize we have an enemy. Satan is the father of lies, and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). And he loves when we believe his deception and fall into the distraction of feeling inadequate and insecure. {It’s a huge distraction!}
The meaning of the word lie is “a falsehood with the intent to deceive.” Satan intends to deceive us and he does so by getting us to take our eyes off of who we are in Christ and focus on our flaws. That way we’ll spend our days figuring out how we can hide them. It’s exactly what he did with Eve:
“Then the eyes of both [Adam and Eve] were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’
He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’” (Gen. 3:7–11)
In response, God asked who told them they were naked. In other words, “Who told you that something is wrong with you?” By asking this, God made sure they knew someone was casting shame on them—and it wasn’t Him.
The enemy whispered lies into their hearts, causing them to move away from Him and from each other.
Satan’s intent is the same for you and me as it was for Eve, but we don’t have to go along with him. Instead we can refute his lies and temptations with truth. If we have put our trust in Christ as our Savior, we can stand on the promises of who we are in Him.
When you’re tempted to measure up today, focus “up” instead and remember Whose you are and who you are! Here is a compilation of Scriptures to remind us of who we are in Christ.
I am accepted . . .
- John 1:12 I am God’s child.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
- Ephesians 1:3–8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
- Hebrews 4:14–16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
I am secure . . .
- Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
- Romans 8:31–39 I am free from condemnation. I cannot be separated from God’s love.
- 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.
- Colossians 3:1–4 I am hidden with Christ in God.
- Philippians 1:6 I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
I am significant . . .
- John 15:16, I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17–21, I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
- Ephesians 2:6, I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
- Ephesians 2:10, I am God’s workmanship.
- Ephesians 3:12, I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
- Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Which one of these promises encourages your heart most today?
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This message spoke right to me today. ( I may be a day behind reading it). But I am constantly, currently countlessly measuring myself with the other Sunday school teachers that teach with me. Because I’m and just starting on this fun and exciting road I still compare and try and measure up with the other women who seem to have it all together and know what they are teaching. But what I have to remember is God called me to teach and what I have was given to me by God and when i start to doubt or get discouraged, I need to look up to God and ask for help. He chose me for a reason and I have to remember that.
Great post Renee. I mostly struggle with not measuring up to my own expectations of myself. Having grace for myself.
Our family is in the midst of very difficult time and Ephesians 3:12, “I may approach God with freedom and confidence.” spoke to me today, reminding me that God cares about all aspects of my life.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
This is the scripture that captured me today. Sometimes when it feels like God isn’t there or I question why he allows some of the painful things to happen, I begin to doubt who I am. Thank you for posting this scripture.
Your message really made 1 John 5:18 come to life for me. I trul am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. My future is sealed. All that comes against me must bow to the will of God for my life. That just gives me such peace. Christ has determined my path and nothing can take me from the calling he has given me. It is not by my strength that my God works but by his divine eternal power! Through Christ, I am now unstoppable, untouchable and unable to fail! Praise God!
Thank you for your awesome post…. I struggle with this issue as well. God reminds me all the time that He is always there for me and He is my constant source of daily strength.
This hits home. I have been doing a lot of comparing recently – not of myself directly, but of my kids which reflects on how “good of a mother” I am. Just this last week during my prayer time God simply said “Your kids are ok.” It’s so easy to take my frustrations and turn them into doubt in my abilities. God’s simple statement to me stopped me in my tracks. It’s not about me. It’s about what God is doing thru me, and my kids. Learning isn’t always easy, and between my kids learning what is expected of them, and me learning to be the mother/wife I’m called to be there are moments of tension. But, I now have the promise that my kids are ok and that’s enough for me! I admit that I have to consciously remind myself of that to stop the comparisons, but now there is no doubt and I can push the thoughts away. Thank you God, for speaking to me! And, thank you Renee for your note of confirmation!
I have really needed a message like this. Thank you so much. There have been many times recently that I have felt like I dont measure up at all. There are a few women at church that I am very close with but I have been feeling like Im no where near as good as they are. I know that it is the enemy trying to put a wedge in between us because God has great plans for all of us individualy and well as together. I just feel that they can pray better than me, their spiritual walk is stronger and closer than mine and they have more knowledge than I do. Your messge however made it so clear to me that I am just as good as they are and I no longer have that feeling any more. Thank you so much.
Thank you for sharing. Many of us who have been abused struggle with this more than those who have had a “normal” life. But I always need to remember that God is in control, so I don’t have to be. He is my rock and I need to follow Phil 4:8 and think on what is right, true, holy, etc. Focusing on God instead of making self an idol is tough!
Thank you for pointing out who we are in Christ! I often find in my marriage, like most women, I am trying to fix or tell my husband how he can better his self image or fix his problems of doubt. I also often find, I am sure like most women, that once I focus on MYSELF and not my husband, that things change in both of us. The list of verses in your devotional is normally something I would see and think- “oh, I should print this out and give to my husband or leave it where her will read it” but today, I am leaving it where I can read it everyday!
I received this yesterday and glanced at it, but mainly ignored it. But after reading it this morning, then scrolling through the comments, I come to the bottom and read Kim’s comment – I didn’t know there was another person who felt the same way that I do. I think my husband and kids would be very happy if I just disappeared too! At times I think God feels the same way, but then I read His word and know that no matter what I think, He always loves me and is walking beside me.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I have been feeling very insignificant recently-as if I just disappeared no one( including my husband & family) would notice or care. Thank you for the reminder that no matter how I feel, God loves me, and He will never leave me.
How encouraging and soothing to know I am not alone in needing to hear this today! It spurs me on to continue with the fight and helps me to focus1 Thank you1 You are all in my prayers!! ,<3
2 Tim 1:7 “I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
This verse is a great reminder for me, especially when dealing with depression and those “bad thoughts” that come with it. I’ve been there, and sometimes, I feel like I’m still there at times, but I know that God is for me. He is WITH me and FOR me…
As with the many other women, I want to thank you for today’s devotion! Even though I have read these power verses many times, the one that stood out for me was John 15:16 “I am CHOSEN and appointed to bear fruit” and this verse finishes in the NIV with “fruit that will last”! I can’t tell you how much I needed to be reminded that I was chosen not by man but by God to do the work I’m doing. Whether its being wife, mom, friend or worker, Satan likes to feed the lies. Even working daily in a Christian environment, those truths needs to be reconfirmed. Thank you, Renee, for your ministry!
2 Timothy 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
I was struggling so much with this very topic today and a wonderful friend shared your message! So thankful!
Thanks for the encouragement. I feel like I never measure up. I need to remind myself that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Renee-
The best promise that stuck out for me is:
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Phillippians 4:13
I need to continue to set my eyes on God- I need to stay focused and stop listening to those whispers of doubt!!! I’ve been facing this whole I’m not good enough, I’m not measuring up, I’m not good enough… I’ve started a new job in a hospital – Operating Room- and am assigned a project that is overwhelming me- My direct sees something in me that I don’t???? I never was asked to take on such a big project before- and don’t get me wrong I am so grateful to have a job believe me after being laid off before the holidays last year – having a job is a big deal for me – especially because I need the medical coverage to continue check-ups I am a 1yr. Breast cancer survivor. but being given this assignment has made me so so nervous about what everybody is going to think of me or is thinking of me… this is my stupid voices in my head saying: “Whose this new kid on the block coming in here and making all these changes”….”who does she think she is”- “she’s not qualified to so that” etc…. I pray every morning before I go to work I pray at work to help me through the day, and I pray before I go to sleep to give thanks that I made it through another day…Chapter 6 really had so much of what I needed to hear… I have a lot AM thoughts—very rare FM thoughts, but I love the analogy. And like you Renee- I never called what I go through doubt—-I still call it worry & fear…I am trying to understand all this mish mash of emotions of mine- because I don’t want to wait until God is all I have that I realize He is all I need. I’m hoping he’s already trying to catch me before I fall. I always catch myself saying “What’s Wrong With Me?” especially when the tears are welling up & my throat is closing in …. I’m responsible for planting that seed of doubt within myself- some days are good some days are bad…. I call them BLAH days- I just can’t seem to raise my head high enough to see the beauty of His grace, I don’t have the energy to receive His love? Then I feel guilty “With all that’s going on in this world today-why are you giving yourself a pity party” Yikes… so you see I so need this online bible study group- to chat with and let the darkness come out into His light!!!! I have downloaded on my Nook for free “The 7-Day Doubt Diet” I need all the help I can get…. Thank you from the bottom of my heart-that God gave you the courage to share this with all of us ladies!
Aloha from Hawaiixoxoxoxo
Dear Donna
You stand out as an encourager in most of your comments and nowI would like to emlncourage you. Have you considered that this is the job wanted you to have? You are wonderfully and fearfully made by our God who makes no mistakes. I was an pt. Psych nurse for many years and I can just about guarantee you can’t read minds. It may be that people are seeing a one year cancer survivor and are amazed that you can work and do what sounds like a difficult job. God loves you girl. Live in that love and let Him comfort and encourage you.
Walking in His Love
Christine
Donna, you are PRECIOUS and HONORED in HIS sight. He gave you this job, HE opened this opportunity, He sees in YOU what you cannot see in yourself. NOW…my friend, my sister in Christ — walk in it!! You are going to need to start talking out loud to those stupid doubt. I recognize the lies behind them, the voice they are disguised by. It is the enemy himself – this battle is not yours. It is the Lords, put it back on Jesus’ shoulders and tell Satan who he needs to deal with – JESUS – your mighty warrior and conquering KING.
Ephesians 6: 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Praying for you!!! So, so, so glad you are being so open with us so that we can pray for and encourage you!!
~Renee
I have a child who has been telling me that I don’t measure up. I don’t have a right to anything that I am doing, it is not what she wanted me to do so that makes it wrong. The flip side is 99% of the people in my world are so proud of me going back to school and trying to get a better life for myself and my children that I know she is deceive. It is hard when the one who is deceived is in your face telling you that you are wrong. I am glad to know that I have God at my back.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength Philippians 4: 13
As I read this and thought about my own battle with worth, God said, “I’ve never held a measuring tape for
Measuring your worth. What I hold in my hands is the nail scars, so you would never need to be measured.”
Thank you!
Kimmie
Mama to 8
One homemade and 7 adopted
The following verses have encouraged me in my daily walk.
Philippians 1:6 I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.
Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.