Ever feel like someone is telling you that you can’t measure up? That something is wrong with you?
If so, have you ever stopped to ask, “Who is saying these things? Who is causing me to doubt myself? Is it me? Is there something from my past that led me to believe this? Or is it the enemy of my soul disguising his voice as my own?”
Satan is the father of lies, and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). Oh how he loves when we believe his deception and fall into the ditractions of feeling inadequate and insecure.
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.
In his book, Victory Over the Darkness, Dr. Neil T. Anderson says, “The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity!” Here is a compilation of Scriptures Dr. Anderson’s ministry created to remind us of who we are in Christ.
I am accepted . . .
- John 1:12 I am God’s child.
- John 15:15 I am a friend of Jesus Christ, as His disciple.
- Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
- 1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
- 1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
- 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 8:1–2 I am free from condemnation.
- 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.
- Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
- 1 John 5:18 I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.
I am significant . . .
- John 15:5, I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.
- John 15:16, I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16, I am God’s temple.
- 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 did you need to hear most today? What lie do you need to replace with truth 
as you reaffirm your significance, security and acceptance based not on what you say or do, but on what Jesus said and did for you!
When you’re tempted to measure up today, focus “up” instead and remember Whose you are and who you are – in Him!
Slip me a note and let me know what’s on your heart as you read this and/or my devotion through Proverbs 31 Ministries today. Simply click on “share your thoughts” below this post and your note will be placed in the drawing for our…
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At the present time I am facing some changes in my life and I needed to be reminded of Philippians 4:13 “I can do al things through Christ who gives me strength.” I know He can work it all out for His glory and do a better job than I can but I just need that reminder at times. I had become comfortable with things the way they were but that isn’t His will at this time so I must trust Him. I am looking forward to what wonderful things He has in store for me in the future because I know He will never leave me nor forsake me as His daughter. Thank you for this precious reminder.
2 Timothy 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me
Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
These three as I fight against letting the anxiety dominate…remembering that my steps are ordered of GOd, and His promise is eternal life with Him.
Renee, thank you for this devotion! It really spoke to me! I have copied the verses you listed and saved them on my computer so that I will always have them to read when I need them. I can not wait til your book comes out!
Renee, thank you for taking the time to share those verses. I just told someone yesterday that I am a “weakness-focuser” and God continues to beckon me to look only to Him for my identity. I am getting my Bible and jumbo yellow highlighter right now.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing God’s words and love today……it was exactly the reassurance and encouragement that I needed to hear. I have been struggling with how I continue to fail to measure up and how I’m such a let down….I think I’ve been trying to convince God to see me through my eyes….instead of seeing myself through God’s eyes and allowing His strength, love and provision to be mine.
It’s a journey of surrender — but not failure in myself but victory through God……I thank you for the all the verses to keep my eyes focused on God’s truth not Satan’s lies.
Hi Renee, This devotion hits me right between the eyes. I am doing an online bible study and our verse yesterday was Ephesians 2:10. I commented that I compare myself or focus on my weaknesses all too often and not on God’s provision or what He thinks of me. I so want to overcome this struggle! Thank you for your work and ministry.
Thank you. This is reaffirmation of other things I have seen in my devotionals lately 🙂
Renee: You are such a blessing to all of us who are confronted by Satan’s lies abtout our beauty, worth and significance as daughters of the King. I also love your photo album about your adoption story. Like you, my husband and I have two wonderful sons and feel called to bring a daughter or daughters into our family through adoption. I am sharing this devotional with a dear friend and ministry partner who is seeking to reach out to those who have been victiminzed by Satan’s lies. May you and your family be blessed abundantly.
I would love to win this book! Pretty much my whole life I’v compared myself to other women
with feelings like I’m not as pretty as others or as smart etc.. I’m not sure what that stems from
although deep down I know its not true.
Thank you for your words of encouragement!
Janet W.
[email protected]
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I have struggled with self-doubt for as long as I can remember, but I have hope because God has recently been making me more aware of it and helping me to overcome it. Your devotional was just another confirmation from God that he is helping me to stop believing Satan’s lies and start beieving His truths. Praise God!
I needed to hear these promises: 2 Timothy 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me. Love your devotions.
Self doubt/insecurity has affected me my whole life. It’s not easy to get out of that thought process. I going to write some of the verses you have sugguested on index cards to use in my time of need. Thank you.
Usually, the people who want you to believe that they have it together the most are the you ones who are the most insecure. They have a way of hiding or suppressing great issues, fears, and hurts by putting up facades. Things people repeatedly do or say reveals the insecurity that is within. I observe and listen to folk in certain situations and they sometimes try to project their insecurities on to others, including their children. I have seen insecure people take a compliment that you have given to them, twist it, to make and seem like an insult. Little girls start comparing themselves to others at early ages. And when they feel they don’t measure, low self-esteem and envy kicks in, which produces back biting, gossip and the such. They battle this all through womanhood until they get today’s encouragement. There was an army slogan for the military that said “Be all that you can be.” That is what God wants us to do. Remember, secure people encourage others. lynnette
It seems like every woman I am surrounded by struggles with this very thing. Sometimes, I feel like I am the only one. But more often than not, God shows me that the Enemy is running out of time and he is pulling out all the stops to try and take down as many women (and men) as possible and will not stop at anything to do it. This work comes for such a time as this!
Good morning. What an amazing devotional. I think we all need this reminder very often in today’s society. Can not wait to read your book!
Thank you for this inspiring devotional. I would love to read your book sometime. God bless you for sharing ~*
Wow! This is exactly what I needed to hear today! I am struggling with self-doubts and realized after reading your essay, that I have a loving Father to lean on in this struggle. My heart knows this, but my head needed the reminder!
Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. AMEN! Thank you for the reminders!
I could really relate to your devotion from Proverbs 31 today. I often compare myself to others and find myself lacking. It was great finding the verse 2 Cor 10:12, that I can try to remember and stick to and realize that it isn’t the way to go.
Renee, your devotions touch my heart everyday. And I needed it especially today, my niece is in the hospital being induced three weeks early to deliver her first baby and I am basically her only support as my sister is not in her life too much. I also have two young nephews who are being raised by their grandmother and I worry about them constantly because she just doesn’t have patience and I’ve seen the way she screams/verbally abuses them regularly, they are only 4 and 7 years old. There was a bad scene last night and they ended up spending the night with my family and my daughter is watching them today. I try to pray for answers as to what I should do and your devotions sometimes come at the perfect moment. Thank you for your insight into God’s love for us.
Renee, I can’t wait to receive your book…I have struggled with self-confidence for most of life and I want God to have the victory and defeat this personality flaw once and for all. I am starting a new chapter in my life as an RN and I want to confidently serve God in the place He chooses for me. Thank you for your ministry to women. I have been a part of Proverbs 31 Ministry for many years and actually used some of your materials while leading a Ladies Bible Study at our church. Thank you again for your willingness to serve God in this ministry!
Thank you for your words today. They have come in a time of my life when I need to refocus on God and not circumstances. God never changes and circumstances will. May we all recognize our blessings from our Lord and give thanks.
Hi, Renee, when I read, ” Is there something from my past that led me to believe this?”, that spoke to me. I have had feelings of insecurity ever since I can remember but I don’t really know why. My sister and I have even talked about this to see if there was something we could “name” that caused these feelings and were not able to think of anything. I think of all that I may have missed in my life just because of feeling I just wasn’t as good as every one else. Thank you for today’s post. I am going to print it off and use Dr. Anderson’s list to reaffirm who I am in Christ and not focus on what is wrong with my life.
Thank you for your devotional today. So many of these I need to remind myself of. Phillipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” really struck home with me today. I am trying to overcome so many doubts and fears that have haunted my past. I will try to recite this scripture every time those thoughts attack me.
Blessings to you.
Renee,
I truly enjoyed your devotion today. I have been struggling with self doubt and confidence for a very long time. Even more so lately. I try and try to do what everyone expects of me and I feel like I fail every time. I expect too much from myself and I feel like everyone expects too much from me. I am a working mom with two active kids. I run circles constantly and I am not getting anywhere fast. Just deeper and deeper in self loathe. Thank you again for your devotion it was very much needed in my life at this time.
Renee, thank you so much for your devotions. I’m disabled and live with chronic pain daily. If it were not for my faith in Jesus Christ, I am sure I could not have survived the pain I endure. For the most part I stay positive and grounded in His promises for my life. But for the last few days the pain has been intense and I’m slowly losing the ability to walk. I have to admit I woke today feeling overwhelmed with doubts and questioning my worth. I sat down at the computer and God led me right to your devotion. I sat with tears streaming down my face as I read your precious words. Thank you for sharing this today!! God used your words to transform my heavy heart this morning to a heart and mind of hope. It was just the boost I needed to “keep on keepin’ on”. I’m a woman of God that believes strongly in the power of prayer yet this morning it was if I was so empty and didn’t know where to even begin to pray. I refuse to let the enemy use my physical pain as a means of distracting me away from the freedom I have with my Heavenly Father to be consoled with His promises for my life. I’m looking forward to reading your new book. As much as this spoke to me this morning, I can’t imagine the transformation that will come after reading the book. What a blessing you are to those of us that are home bound for the most part. I’m thankful for my sight and being blessed with access to the internet. This opens an entire world up for folks like myself that live on a limited income, limited transportation, etc. I’m truly blessed, yet another day, with the reassurance of your words here this morning. Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. Yes!!! Thank you Jesus!! He is here with us in all our ups and downs in life. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. I’m so blessed today. God has used your precious words to renew my spirit and to give me hope to continue pressing on through this pain. Your devotion has transformed my heavy heart this morning. God Bless You.
Renee,
I woke up with all kinds of negative thoughts and doubts running through my mind. Needed to read I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Thanks for the reminders!
Kathy
Hi Rene
three friends and I have been doing your 7 Day Doubt Diet together and so this devotional today is familiar to me. Seems God wants me to give this one additional meditation. I often fall into the trap of comparison too, no wonder He is nudging me back to review all the truths I need to remember about who I am in and through Him. Thank you!
Thank you for both the devotion and the blog entry. Satan does try to mess with my assurance of Salvation and some of the verses you quoted were just what I need to remember. I am justified in Christ & I can never be separated from HIS love!
Blessings!
Linda
What a relevant topic! I don’t know one woman who doesn’t struggle with this issue. Thank you!
Renee,
Thank you for reminding me the importance of looking up and not comparing ourselves to others. I will focus on my sufficiency in him today.
I am so enjoying your site and your 7 day doubt diet. I feel called by God to do a ministry but keep putting it off. I often don’t feel I can do as well as others have in the past and I am allowing Satan to whisper those lies to me. I am going to start replacing those thoughts with some of the scripture you outlined. Thank you. I know God will finish what He has started.
As I am taking steps forward in life following a divorce earlier this month after nearly 30 years of marriage, I really treasured this verse: Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ. I am learning again who I am in Him – Thank you Lord! Thank you for your encouragement.
This is exactly what I needed to hear!!!! Thank you, Renee!
I woke up this morning in a mental place of self doubt and feeling that God is not near. I know God is feeling my pain and doesn’t leave my side. But it’s something I struggle with especially since I am looking for employment and dealing with the recent loss of my unborn child. This morning I read your post via Encouragement for Today, which I receive everyday but don’t read everyday. God spoke to me through your message. As a result, I turned to the Bible to lift my spirits rather then wallow in self doubt. Thank you. All Praise Due to the Father.
Thank you so much for sharing your God given gift of writing and encouraging. I really needed this message as I do tend to compare my life to my friends…If only I could be a mother like her…If only my kids would behave like hers…If only…If only…If only… I need to focus on what God has in store for me and me alone. My job is to be the best wife, mother, friend and child of God that I can be, I just need to rest in His truths. Thanks for the reminder in the verses you shared.
Just LOVE this. Thank you!
I like to do have a small Bible study with your book. This book speaks to! This is my favorite versus Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me, and I remind myself every day, because yes I have doubts: am I being a good Christian mother, wife, leader, follower. I pray for God to fill me up!
This is such a helpful reminder — Satan is the father of lies. I *know* this in my head, but why does my heart forget?! Thanks for the post! Your book is on my to-read and to-purchase list.:)
I could not wait to read your book ever since last week when I read your other devotion concerning doubting ourselves. I already ordered it. (However, I’m sure I could find someone to share with if I won this one.) I just wanted to let you know that this is so incredibly encouraging, and so very timely for me. Thank you for being a vessel for God to use and bless others through!!!
You were preaching to me today, sister! I am so guilty of self doubt and insecurity, when I know deep down I am His creation and so blessed. I need to remind myself of Eph. 2:10 I am His workmanship. Makes me realize my insecurities are sort of a slap in the face to Him! Can’t wait to read the new book!
Renee, Thank you for this devotional today. What a great reminder that we need to hear again and again!
Thank you for the devotional today. As an older Christian I still face the need to know that I am accepted. ! Cor. 6:19-20 tells me that I have been bought with a price and that I am a temple of the Holy Ghost. Wow! After reading passages of the Bible for years, sometimes they just stand out in a new light to me. Even when life’s road is not smooth and things are not the way “I” want them to be, I must pause and be thankful that I am accepted into God’s holy family and can fully belive HIs promises.
All I can say is WOW – I am so guilty of this. I try so hard not to compare, but it creeps in time after time. I have tried to be content with what God had given me and rest in the knowledge that He is enough, but I still get tempted to compare. Just when I have become content, it starts creeping in again!!! Looking forward to your book – sounds like some amazing truth we all need to hear!!!!!!! Thanks for your minsitry!!!!!! Staci
Thank you for sharing this encouragement today. So often the lies seep in and attempt to discredit the reality of who I am in Christ. Many thanks for this beautiful reminder of the riches which are mine through Him.
Thank you so much, Renee. I find myself constantly comparing myself to others. We all have a tendency to think that the grass is greener for someone else. That’s not true. We all have our trials and struggles. Those are the things that God uses to build our character. This reminds me a lot of Laura Story’s song, “Blessings.” We sometimes wonder why does she have this and I don’t. For some unknown reason, God did not give it to us. He decided it was best for us to have the things that we have and not what he gave to someone else. He knows what he’s doing. It ‘s just sometimes hard for us to understand why he does the things that he does. With a truck driver for a husband and a two year-old at home, I find myself constantly wondering what God was thinking. But, it helps to remind myself that “I can do all things through Christ.”
I love coming down early in the morning to read your thoughts for the day. It starts my day out on a positive note of encouragement. It gives me confidence that no matter what happens today to tell me otherwise, I can handle it because my Father is with me and gives me strength. I am a daughter of the King and the accuser can’t change that fact. Thank you for ministering to all of us who need reminding and help chasing away insecurity.
I love your question; “Who is saying these things”. I literally wanted to turn around and “look” to see who my accuser was. I know God doesnt think these things of me, but i definitely deal with doubts and insecurites often. Thank you for reminding us who we are in Christ.
Thank you for your thoughts Renee.
Today I was encouraged by Ephesians 2:10 – I am God’s workmanship.
I have slowly overcome many of Satan’s lies that were literally taking over my life a few years back, but my negative attitude towards my physical appearance has continued to be a struggle. The idea that I have been made beautiful by God’s hands has continued to be a really hard concept for me to grasp. But I am God’s workmanship. No matter what society may tell me or what other people may think, I am beautiful, because I was created by the one and only true and perfect God. And that is a very good reason to push Satan’s lies aside and praise God!
I am excited for your book to come out. A must read!!
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Hello Renee, thanks so much for what you’ve shared. Your words are so inspiring and such a great channel for God’s Word to flow through.
The promise that spoke to me most this morning was this:
Philippians 1:6 – I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.
I keep worrying that with my weaknesses and huge egoism I stand in God’s way and thwart all His efforts to have me bring fruit. I try with all my heart to cling to Him in all my doings, but I’m terribly low on self-esteem and it always seems to me that I’m throwing away all the chances I get from Him.
Thanks so much for reminding me that He WILL complete the good work He started in me.
Have a blessed day, Renee.