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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Stress WOW recently let go from a position of nearly10 years & being the sole provider for my blended family of six Mine, His & Ours. As I process unemployment, new employment opportunities, going back to school or disability at 39, Knowing God has me in His hands… Just wish He’d share??
I remember taking one of those stress indication tests several years ago and being told I should be dead … LOL … still here! …. right now it would be our next upcoming move (Active Duty Army family) and whether the house will sell in this market, will our older son move with? if not then we will only move with one child instead of 4? how weird is that? If the house doesn’t sell we can’t afford to upkeep two houses,etc,etc … I know God’s got it all I just wish sometimes He’d show me a little clearer before instead of after the fact! 😀
I am praying to God what feels like every second of every day to grant me peace, grace, and patience. I am in a job that I do not feel is where I need to be but can not leave because my husband and I are in the final stages of purchasing a new home. I am trying to follow scripture and turn all of my stresses and worries over to God but boy is this tough! Keeping my eyes focused on God sure does keep my stress levels lower but I would love to read more about how a sister of God has learned to deal with stress.
Shall I list the top ten stress items or the whole list? 🙂
God is trying to work in my life and it seems no matter where I try to make changes, I am cut off. But our God is faithful!!!
I can’t wait to read this book! I left a 17 year teaching career in May. I still teach but now I am teaching my own children. I left the stresses of being a teacher but now have the stress dealing with our finances. I do have a peace that I am where He wants me and He will take care of us but the devil does a great job making me doubt myself and lose my confidence some days. I am getting stronger and my faith is growing so I know He is working on me.
Above email address was wrong this is correct
I’m such a people-pleaser. It affects everything I do. I’m learning to let God’s opinion of me be the one that matters most.
Having difficulties at my job, brings me a lot of stress. Been there 15 years and would love to stay and learn how to deal better with the stress and not have to quit! Mix that with normal wife, mom, home owning…lots of stress!
My stress comes from trying to be the perfect wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend and employee. I never seem to know when to stop, and I go overboard in everything! I can’t stop and I want to try to make everyone else’s life perfect at the expense of myself. I really want to be able to just trust and rest in God knowing that he has all of this under control.
This book sounds like just what I need. Working 50+ hours a week with no end in sight.
Life, stressful career, 2 teenage children (3 if you count my husband 🙂 ), and parents that live with us. But God is GREAT. Would love to read a copy of the book.
I have found peace in my life through continued bible study and fellowship. I am even going on a mission trip. However, my stress in living with husband that does not live the same way. I will not give up but daily stress has caused uncertainty in my life. I see God working in his life so I know that I need patience. I love reading books like this so I can recommend to other people in our same situation.
My husband and his friend own 3 companies and just started another. I have done the book-keeping for the 3 and have been able to keep up. This fourth company is stressing me out so much. I just don’t have time to give to each company and home. I was talking to my 11 year old daughter and told her I am sorry I have been stressed out so much lately. She said when the stress is gone we will be happy again. It breaks my heart to know our stress is effecting our home life. I have to work on this area in my life. I can’t wait to read this book.
Stress. I try not to let it get to me or affect my life but it does. Right now my biggest stress factor is drving to my job. It is an hour one way and the gas prices are killing me. I am also getting ready to move my 91 year old mother in with us in two weeks. I so want her to come live with us, but I know that there will be some adjusting for all of us as she gets settled in. And one of my biggest stress triggers is the coming winter months and having to drive on snowy/icy roads. That sends me into a panic attack every time. God’s Word does calm my racing heart and I look for reassuring verses during my stressful times. Reading His Word every day gives my the strength to get through.
I would love to read this book. The area I stand against stress is finances.
My plate is overfull, but there all good things, just trying to figure how to balance it all.
I’m struggling just this week with not allowing
Stress at work and negative attitudes in
The workplace bring me down. These situations
Mixed with my people pleasing personality
Have previously brought me to an all time low
In my life. I’m praying and keeping the faith
That the closer I grow with God and His word,
I will be able to refocus and become stronger
In these situations.
This book would be great for my daughter, a young working mom with 2 small children. Can we say STRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TY TY TY & GOD BLESS
This book looks like a wonderful read!
Stress at my workplace has simply overwhelmed me this past month. I know that God is in control. I just forget that so etimes.