Today I shared the story of how I discovered the shadow of my doubt. That day was a huge turning point for me.
As I stood in my bathroom looking at the humongous shadow on my wall, I sensed God whispering to my heart: Renee, you can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.
Slowly I turned back toward the lights above the mirror, and realized I was no longer standing in the shadow. I also realized I’d created the shadow by blocking the light.
Shadows are created all around us when something blocks light. And so it is with the shadow of doubt.
When we focus on ourselves and how inadequate we feel, or what others are thinking about us, we block the light of God’s Truth in our hearts which casts a shadow of doubt over our thoughts.
Our thoughts end up being mostly about ourselves: how we’re performing and what others are thinking about us. It’s not that these thoughts are bad. It’s just that when we focus our attention on ourselves, we turn our attention away from God.
We become concerned and sometimes consumed by what others think of us, instead of what God thinks about us.
If we want to live beyond the shadows of our doubts, we have to turn our eyes toward the Light by focusing on God’s thoughts towards us, instead of our thoughts about ourselves.
Turning toward the Truth
Until that day in my bathroom with God and my shadow, I thought doubt was simply a negative emotion. I kept thinking I’d be more confident if I’d just try harder to believe in myself. But it wasn’t about trying harder, it was about turning sooner.
Self-focus had turned my heart away from God’s promises. What about you? How many of these doubts have lured you away from the truth and into doubts shadows?
- I’m not good enough.
- I’m always disappointing someone.
- I can’t follow God consistently.
- I’ll never change.
That day was my turning point. I wanted to burn the image in my mind. Turning away from the shadow—turning toward the light. Turning would be crucial.
Turning away from self – Turning toward God
Turning away from doubt – Turning toward Truth
Turning away from darkness – Turning toward Light
Instead of waiting for God to zap us with confidence and remove our doubts, let’s ask God to use our doubts to draw us into a deeper place of dependence on Him and His promises. It’s not necessarily going to be easy, because it requires turning, but it is possible and worth what it takes to turn.
Turning leads to transforming, as we allow our thoughts to be made new, and transforming leads to believing as God’s thoughts become our Truth.
When doubt casts its shadow over us, let turn back to Jesus and live in the Light of His truth:
- When we feel inadequate, God says: You are CHOSEN.
“‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he’” (Isa. 43:10). - When we feel afraid, God says: You are REDEEMED.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isa. 43:1). - When we feel unloved, God says: You are LOVED.
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you” (Isa. 43:4). - When we feel forgotten, God says: You are REMEMBERED.
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isa. 49:16).
_____________
I know this is a lot to process but today can be a turning point if you only remember this: Having a God-confident heart is not about trying harder, it’s about turning sooner.
I’m giving away two copies of A Confident Heart and two sets of conference calls for the upcoming Confident Heart online Bible study hosted and led by Melissa Taylor from Proverbs 31 Ministries. I’ll tell you how you can win in a minute but first I want to tell you about some free encouragement/resources:
- My Free Resources page has a list of promises to personalize and more free stuff!
- You can click here to download Chapter 1 from A Confident Heart and watch the book trailer here.
- “Like” my Confident Heart Facebook page, and you’ll receive (almost) daily encouragement and scriptures from me.
- You can sign up for email updates in that little box up at the top to receive my posts via email. That way you’ll know about free resources I add, give-aways coming up and all kinds of things you don’t wanna miss
Now, be sure to click “Share your thoughts” below and do just that. I love hearing from you and praying for you! Your comment can be short but it’s what I need to have your name for the drawing.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thank you for the encouragement from your blog today! I am so weighed down right now from doubt, discouragement, insecurities, etc. I have discovered that I am a ‘people pleaser’ and I am determined to surrender this to God and become a God pleaser. I pray that I would turn to the light when the issues of darkness come my way and stand up and believe who I am in Christ! I cannot wait to start the online bible study Melissa! Thank you for sharing your struggles and victories with women in order to be an inspiration and help to us! Be blessed!
Just read the first page of the chapter 1 download! Can not wait to read the rest!! I would love to win the book to read the rest!!
This was an on time devotion/post for me. Funny how God can give us the same word over and over again (I was at SHE Speaks where you shared this message) but it means something different and specific to your very present situation (He is a very present help) every single time.
Last night I was really struggling with being patient/gracious towards my baby boy. He has been struggling with ezcema the last few weeks and has been waking up throughout the night and won’t stop scratching the affected areas, which makes it harder to heal. After several nights of no sleep (and being pregnant) I just got so frustrated yesterday and felt I wasn’t loving and patient and calm with him like I should have been. And immediately after I was filled with guilt and self-doubt, allowing the enemy to tell me I’m a terrible mother who can’t keep a control of her emotions with a baby whose helpless in the situation.
Then I read your devotional and then this post and was reminded of God’s unfailing love and positive thoughts towards me even when I don’t have positive thoughts towards myself. And that He isn’t through with me yet and even though I may have a long way to go, I praise God I’m not where I used to be.
Looking forward to reading your book when God opens the door for me to have it.
Bless you sweet sister in Jesus.
This devotion was right on time! I have a big issue of worrying about what everybody thinks of me and not doing things because i feel that someone is not gonna like what i do, etc. My family is in the process of stepping out on faith and seeking God’s leading in moving churches. We have felt lead to leave and are in the process of visiting to figure out where God wants us and the only thing that i have a fear of is losing friends or what everyone at our home church is saying or thinking! We just want whats best for our family and to be where God wants us to be to serve him better. I know that I have to turn back to the light and follow God’s calling and not let the issues of self-doubt stop me.
Thanks so much for this today!
I am so looking forward to reading this book!!! I need it!! Thanks for all of your encouragement!!!
Because of self doubt I am about to lose my marriage…I wrote a comment and had my address wrong therefore Iost all I wrote….so I am trusting in God …he knows I have no money…that my pray is answered and I am picked to recieve a book so I can join you. God through your words today has moved me and pray I that I am choosen before I become completley lost. Amen
I think we all struggle with this to at least some degree. Thanks for sharing your story! (And I had already liked the facebook page, subscribed to your blog, and downloaded the first chapter-thanks!)
You pinned me down – in my heart! This morning when I was asking the Lord for direction for coming year (tomorrow is my 58th birthday)… He brought me exactly on same message you were discussing – and it was a confirmation of His Word… how I love your encouragement and I will never forget this message – imagine how in almost 30 plus years I was imprisoned in that shadow of doubt – that no matter how much He is using me, I always tell Him am not worthy. Even when many would say how gifted I am, still I could not see myself as one, and even how many times He told me I am chosen, precious is His sight…. still….
But today, with your message, I will remember NEVER to be far from the Light, or put something to block the Light and that too I may continue to share this Light for the rest of my life…I will never live in that shadow again….I thank the Lord for the gift of life through you….God bless you more….
I just love reading what you write. I love your uplifting spirit that you provide. I want to be as positive. I have been through a divorce and now my mother has passed away a few months ago. I feel I was a failure in my marriage and I feel I wasn’t a very good daughter. I need to be more positive about myself because all this negativety is beginning to make me ill. I have gone to dr and all test results come out great. I am in good health and yet my body isn’t feeling it. I talk to God and pray but then I give up. I feel I am not worth it. I need to grow more in the faith and get closer to God. I know He loves me and will never abandon me. I know His love is the best love anyone could have. I just get discouraged at times and let my mind run loose. Please keep me in prayer. I will continue reading your emails and i have you on facebook also. Thank you for all you do.
I’m stepping out of my comfort zone as I jump into a leadership role this fall with our MOPS group. I’ve had doubts of thinking that some one else could surely do it better than me with a lot of things. No more! I know God has a plan and a purpose for me. He has equipped me, and will lead and strengthen me! I’m excited! And very thankful for your teachings and encouragements Renee! Blessings!
WOW! Thank you so much for sharing this today. I REALLY needed it today. I’ve done ALL the above that you mentioned except for downloading Chapter 1 – I have the book so I didn’t download the chapter 🙂
I DID download the Prayer Patterns from the Resource Page a few days ago – been looking forward to having that since She Speaks 🙂
I’m very excited to be able to participate in the study with Melissa and so many others. Sept. 19 (or 18th – whichever it is) will be here before we know it 🙂
What a timely message today. After moving out-of-state and away from all I’ve ever known, I have been extremely self-absorbed and self-focused. It’s actually been in the last few days that God has been speaking this to my heart and to put my focus back on Him. Praise God for your words of encouragement and for the message He’s given you to share. Thank you for boldly sharing it with us!!
I have read the Chapter One download and signed up for the Online Bible Study. I just finished the Hidden Joy Bible Study and am so looking forward to this one!! I really feel that now that I am beginning to lose my fear the confidence needs to come next!! I also liked your book on Facebook. Thank you so much for writing it!!
I am loaded with doubt and my confidence has taken a nosedive recently. My head knows that the circumstances are beyond any control that I have but my heart is fighting the battle of “not being good enough”, of “being a failure” and it is a constant battle. I have read Chapter 1 and received the 7 day doubt diet. I thank you for putting yourself out there with your struggles with doubt and how you’ve worked your way through. Thank you for sharing with us your journey with God so we might be helped with our doubts and lack of confidence.
Wow! I loved your story about the shadow. It made me realize how I block out God’s light with my negative thoughts. I lose confidence in myself and ask God to give me the strength and confidence to get me through my situation. I am the one who turned from God, He never turns from me and leaves me in the darkness. I will focus on Him and keep my face turned to His light. Thank you so much for sharing your story, it has made a hugh impact on how I lived my life and how I will live my life going forward.
You are a true blessing!
When I saw the summary of the book I just knew I wanted to read it, I also shared your website address by email with some friends at church. They too wanted to read it , get together to discuss the questions and find support. Last night was our first night to meet as a group and it exceeded my expectations. There was so much honesty and openness I was a little overwhelmed. I know God was with you when writing this book and He was with us last night. Thanks for being faithful to the call to write this book.
Renee, this is really speaking to me right now. I have just followed God’s call for me to go to Seminary. I’m in my second WEEK, and feeling VERY UNSTABLE and OVERWHELMED. I have printed your Spiritual Gifts Assessment because every time I take it, it comes out different. I printed your Promises to Personalize and Peace-guvung Promises. I am taking Old Testament I and the program is a 100% online program. You are considered a FULL time student if you take 2 classes a semester (the semester is broken into 2 halves). So I am going to school full-time and working full-time. I am going to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, but live in Richmond, VA. Please PRAY!
I read today’s blog after meditating on Heb. 2:1 and 3:12-15 in my daily devotions. For me the key is allowing my thoughts to be made new and asking the Lord to control my thoughts. Last night, I asked the Holy Spirit to guard my thoughts and cast out the doubt that Satan wants to put in my mind to undo the progress that I make. He hates seeing the beautiful transformation that God is working in my life and my marriage and He tries his hardest to get at my feelings of hurt and doubt to get me to revisit them instead of turning to God’s transforming grace and love.
Only when we walk by faith, obey His Word and turn to our spirit can we find the confidence that God wants us to have. I find that abiding in Christ, loving God above all else and seeking first His Kingdom and righteousness brings me peace and enjoyment despite how dire my circumstances. I enjoyed your devotion on how we need to look away from the shadows of doubt and live in the light of God’s love in order to be released from fear and insecurity in living. You have given such practical advice on living in the presence of our Lord. Thank you.
Often there are times when I feel that God or anyone could love me based on some the things I have done. I just try and draw closer to God by daily reading and mediatation on the bible. That gives me strength and reminds me I am forgiven and a child of God. Your posts are so inspiring and real. Thank you, I hope to win a copy of your book!! Hugs, Kim