Does stress impact our confidence? Today I’ve asked my friend Tracie Miles, author of Stressed-Less Living to share how stress once diminished her confidence and threw her into a pit of doubt causing her to question her ability to fulfill God’s plans for her life.
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Although it was seven years ago, I remember it as if it were yesterday. Every morning I dragged myself out of bed, dreading another stressful and emotionally draining day at my job. A job which I had grown to hate, working for a supervisor whom I had grown to fear.
Not only was I overwhelmed with job stress, I was trapped in a deep pit of despair that was filled to the brim with doubt, low self esteem and zero confidence.
My heart and my mind were ravaged with turmoil. I had a demanding and stressful workload and a supervisor who used continual harsh words and often unwarranted criticism.
Even though I gave 100% and tried to do my best, I started doubting whether or not I was good at my job. Eventually my doubts began to creep into my personal life as well. Thoughts like “maybe I’m not a good enough wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend…” plagued my heart. Self condemnation started consuming my thoughts, and eventually I hit an all time low in self-confidence.
Juggling all the stress and pressures of the workplace was nothing compared to trying to carry the crushing weight of self-doubt.
The time finally came when I admitted I needed to make a change in my life. You see, I knew God had been calling me for several years to lay down my job, and allow Him to lead me into new places, but I had been too afraid and too insecure. But change was necessary, or else my physical and emotional health would continue to decline.
I resigned from that position, and although I no longer had the stress of corporate responsibilities, my life was still filled with many other stressors. Yet, upon leaving my job, I picked up my Bible more than ever before. And when I started making my walk with Christ a priority, I came to realize that even though my life was still stressful, my heart was at peace.
Why? Because as my faith grew, my self confidence grew with it. You see, I was coming to realize that my value is based on who I am in Christ, not who a supervisor said I was. I embraced the acceptance and value God promises, tucked in Deuteronomy 14:2, which says “You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” (NLT)
As my heart slowly healed from the brokenness of a broken person’s words, my spirit began to soar. God helped me understand that my value lies in Him, not in the approval or acceptance of the world. I need not base my self worth, intelligence or value based on what man or woman says, but on what God says about me instead.
It was a long journey, but the more I kept my eyes focused on Christ, the more my self confidence increased. I not only discovered my confidence again, I also learned that God is the answer to our stress, no matter what form it comes in.
And I finally found a calmness in my spirit that was not present simply because I left a stressful job, but because I had embraced my unstressed God: a Savior who loved me, despite my mistakes, sins and imperfections. My Jesus who told me I was His precious treasure, even if nobody else saw my worth, including myself.
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God not only showed Tracie the path to acceptance, self-confidence, and worth in Him, but He used her experiences as the training ground to build a story in her life which is now the basis of her new book, Stressed-Less Living: Finding God’s Peace In Your Chaotic World.
Today we’re giving away 3 signed copies to three of you! Leave a comment below this post and share with us something that is currently causing you stress. I’ll share too.
To find out more, be sure to visit Tracie’s Stressed-Less Living website: www.stressedlessliving.com . And if you purchase Stressed-Less Living between Sept 30-Oct 7th you’ll receive 7 FREE GIFTS.
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Can’t wait to read this book!!!
OH WHERE DO I START! I don’t usually have high blood pressure but today I think it must be through the roof! I am a homeschool mom of 1 12 year old boy. We have been homeschooling for 2+ years and today BY FAR was the most stressful day I have ever had with homeschooling. I can’t even put it into words. My son can be difficult and usually is but today he was beyond difficult. I was just about in tears and that is saying a lot because I don’t cry much. In addition to the stresses of homeschooling I have a 1 year old granddaughter who is the most beautiful little baby I have ever seen, she is so precious. Her parents are really messed up and into drugs and alcohol. It is really sad and upsetting to see the choices they are making. I am so worried about my granddaughter. I have so much stress in my life right now. Some days it just seems hard to function.
Would love to have a copy of this book!
Looking forward to reading this book!
going to the college fair with my son, who is a junior this year – can’t believe this day has already arrived !
On a day to day basis 8-5 my job consists of hearing people needing help basically due to the economic tailspin the country is in. Separating the true requests from the false one wears on my heart. My “hard outer shell” is starting to melt into my heart. This is causing stress for my spiritual well being as much as my physical and spilling over into my personal life. I could use some blessings to find my peace with everybody and joy in mankind.
Lately I have been stressed about paying bills, providing basic needs for my daughter and working at a job that doesn’t challenge me. With all the stress I have no confidence in myself any longer.
Stress is a funny thing a constant battle to keep what really masters in. focus in a world where you are expected to give your all and be everything to everyone! Its a decision I have too make everyday!
I just moved house, single mum with kids, couldn’t afford the rental I was in. Moved back with parents it feels a huge step backwards to live with parents again at 42. Though I know they have sacrificed a lot for us to move here. It’s a new huge house, beautiful but I feel so irrelevant.
I’m disabled too, my mother is so efficient and does things before I even think of them!
Broken marriage, divorced last year.
I was so stressed over move I just couldn’t function and my brain shuts down.. Too much info I just got lost!
I still feel lost even though I’ll save money now and won’t have trouble with bad agents. And it’s cheaper I can pay back bills..
God bless anyone who reads. I am so blessed just hard to appreciate it all sometimes!
It’s good to learn from others what we can do to make it easier on ourselves and which ultimately affects our families and wider world! Thank you for your helps to us!!
How timely. When the only reason you stay is the money…you know you’re stressed.
I find that living under constant stress has diminished the confidence I once had in myself. I find that I’m less confident then I was a decade ago.
HI, I look forward to try to find time to read this. I never thought I was stressed, just the way life was, well, my body told me different the last few years, it has reacted badly to all the stress to where I couldn’t take it anymore. In the last 1 1/2 yrs I have tried to get healthy ( I have numerous health issues). I started yoga & bike riding, threw everything away and started a new way of eating (not a diet), saw many dr and had tests. Today I am better than I was, but not quite there yet, everyday I continue my journey to be healthy in mind & Body.
As I read this I relate to it..how I feel today…10 yrs of being a single mother of 2 now teen girls + 40 hr. corporate job, with due-lines and where for management your performance is never good enough…I must say some days are just tiresome…. Thanks for your Testimony, Reminders and Encouragement xoxo
I have been in the position of stressful job turning into stressful life. Fortunately I have a great job that is very fulfilling. I’ve been here 12 years and am hoping for at least that many more!
I am stressed a little. A lot because I’m a single mom who had 3 girls 9th , 6th, 2nd. I teach 1st grade, and try to hold an active live with family n church. I’m stressed because my ministry of educating other people’s kids leaves me to drained to minister to my own kids. I need help
Everyday we have to thank God for our blessings- living on this earth is a constant opportunity to have stress. Thank you for this teaching.
Wow! This is me. I had just been thinking it was me…I’m a failure, this is what my work life has become and there is no way out of where I’m at in my job. I feel very torn with desiring to honor God in where I’m at, but wondering if this is where I’m to be. My family life has suffered…that time, events, etc. that I can’t get back. In 28 years of working since college graduation I have never felt this stressed, tired and weary. I keep clinging to my Savior as this time has drawn me closer to him.
Honey! You are not a Failure! U are a creationof God, His Child! He gave His Sons life for you and accepted His son and love His Son! You sweet sister are no failure! Satan wants u to think u are a failue! U are standing in the shadows of your own doubts! Be Confident in the Promises of God! He will never leave u nor forsake you! RUN OVER, dont walk this is a crisis!!!TO THE P31 store online and order Renee Swoope’s A Confident Heart. Or download it to ur Kindle! If P31 doesnt carry the app, Amazon Kindle Store Does! That book pulled me from the same self destructive mirey mudbog of no worth and self loathing. Email me eith a book report after Chapter 3 or so. If u can stop reading long enough!!!! I could not be more serious girlfriend! Movethyself!
Stress kills joy and I would love to share this with a beautiful friend of mine!
Thank you for sharing!
I would LOVE to have this book. I’m stressed and feeling all alone right now. Never married, no children and getting on up in years. Lost my job, financial problems, depression and lonely. Trusting in God!
Stress in my life is currently supporting my mother-in-law, praying for our oldest who recently went to college, and helping with a sister-in-law diagnosed with cancer. We do all have stress-and have to find ways to “let go and let God” even especially when its difficult.