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…
“Contagious Confidence” give-away which includes a copy of “A Confident Heart” along with “Confident Heart” sticky notes that have quotes and promise from my book and a Starbucks gift card — for 3 of you! Also, I’d love for you to share today’s post by clicking on “Tell a Friend” button below. I’m praying HIS confidence will become contagious!
___________
for MORE ENCOURAGEMENT
- Sign up for The 7-day Doubt Diet in the sidebar. You’ll receive a week’s worth of FREE Confident Heart devotions.
- Find out more about A Confident Heart and read how it’s impacting other lives here.
- Read the “Table of Contents” to see what’s inside the book that will encourage and equip you to stop doubting yourself and start living in the security of God’s promises.
- Sign up to receive my email updates – you”ll be the first to hear about Free resources, free video downloads, give-aways, winners chosen and more. Just enter your email in the small box at the top of my website.
___________
Last week’s Winners: Lil’lyndie, Kathryn and Linda P. you’ve won a copy of Ann Voskamp’s New York Times Best-Seller, One Thousand Gifts and A Confident Heart. We have your emails we’ll be in touch to get your mailing addresses this week.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Satan’s lies hold no water. I am Christ’s child and dearly loved.
Renee,
I am so looking forward to getting this book. Want to print your verses.
I am significant . . verses hit me today.
Hugs and Prayers
Renee, thank you for this encouragement. I’ve been doing The 7 Day Doubt Diet with a couple of friends and this is something I need to hear over and over again. God is so good!!
Renee, thank you for this encouragement today! I have been allowing the devil to whisper in my ear and cause me to compare myself to other women around me as well as doubt myself! I have been doubting if God can or wants to use me! Thank you for sharing these scriptures…I am putting them in my prayer journal tonight so I can refer back to them regularly!
We discussed the 7 day diet tonight in my small group.
We can not wait for the book. This book is so needed .
Thanks for your devotions! I have struggled with doubt for years and have decided to become obedient even when my feeling don’t match what I know I need to do. I love the scripture that you can copy and paste your name into – it is so uplifting and has been very helpful!
What’s on my heart? Processing everything I learned this weekend at She Speaks, and knowing where God wants to take my church’s women’s ministry.
Thanks Renee, I’ve really enjoyed the 7 Day Doubt Diet and am looking forward to reading your book! It’s opened my eyes to areas of doubt I didn’t realize were doubt.
Blessings!
Romans 8:31–39 I am free from condemnation. I cannot be separated from God’s love.
Your entire deco today blessed me, but if I had to pick only one verse listed, the above sums up what I needed to hear today. God won’t give up on me no matter how many times I get side tracked or mess up. I’m so grateful for that!
I loved your talk at She Speaks and would be blessed by your new book!
Thank you for this opportunity!
Sonya
Thank you for offering your vulnerability and opening up about your journey with God so as to give His insight, encouragement and strengthening through His promises as you have walked with and responded to Him in your life as a woman belonging to and loved by Him.
I am accepted: Ephesians 1:8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as his child.
This grabbed my heart because I am still struggling with understanding what it means to have Him as a father. What the image of a father was meant to be. As well as that my heavenly father him self has burdened my heart for vulnerable children specifically in parts of East Africa where I have been involved over the last 3 years. I am excited to continue to receive this promise so as to more deeply live this promise for those children as well…being His hands and feet.
I am secure: 2 Timothy 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power and love and a sound mind—I have the RIGHT to think with the mind of Christ. How quickly this seems to slip out of perspective. It was actually a promise given to me more than once recently. During my time in the 7 day doubt diet I heard it as I was going through one of the devotions and coupled it with a video clip from Beth Moore. Then again today as I went through this devotion….I have claimed if over and over aloud in the last several days. It is something I hold so tightly to right now. Because why should I slip to self doubt and insecurity so quickly when I have been given this gift and at such a price? It is mine and I’m going to walk in it.
Lastly, 2Cor 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God
Whhowey! Now if that’s not the affirmation I need to move forward taking steps each day in the direction God has called me to be— as the woman He has purposed me to be. From the daily tedious things to the very things He quickens my heart with…glimpses of the adventure he has called me into with my son and my husband….What is it Lord that you will unfold for me…because you just said it clear as day,,,I have been established, anointed, and sealed by YOU!!! That gets my blood pumping! Now to hold onto that consistently.
Thanks again for sharing what He’s doing, has done, and will continue to do…to encourage and strengthen his ladies!
What’s really shouting at me here is that you have to speak these promises over your life. You have to truly believe that you are a child of God and everything he has belongs to you. If you say something over and over you start to believe it and act on it, so why not speak the positive. It can go both ways as well; if your constantly speaking negative things about yourself your gonna start believing that as well. Renee, I just thank you for this book, “A Confident Heart”, it’s come at just the right time.
I so needed to read your thoughts today. I have been in pain worrying about my son and the life he is living. I have gone through the entire back story in my head today and all last night-what a bad parent I have been, I should have been better and helped him with his inner demons, I should have done *something* to help him. I have them all memorized and they lead nowhere. A whirlpool of pain to keep me helpless. I read your words today and realized I am not the one to help him. I need to have faith and *let go and let God*. I have faith that the only true healing will come from Heaven as I don’t have the ability. My son is a child of God and only through Jesus can he get rid of the darkness. Satan has been a companion in my head for too long telling me how I have failed both my son and my God. I know better know. Thank you. I will begin again.
I definitely need to hear that I’m Accepted. I need to let that roll around in my brain for a while. Thank you.
Renee,
THANK -YOU FOR TODAY’S WORD AS I WAS REMINDED OF GOD’S PROMISES TO ME!!! I have really been struggling with what purpose I am here to serve…..Lies from Satan. I have been bought with a price and I am His and God has a purpose for me even when I cant see or feel it…. I need to come to the cross and fill my mind with His word and promises… so as to defeat the lies my mind is wanting to believe ….. I am so thank full I came across your site from a friend that had posted it on FB.
I know there are no coincidences when it comes to God. He has a plan and He will bring it about as I seek Him I will find HIm when I seek Him with my whole heart!!!!
Thank you for your message today!
Peg Miller
HI Renee~
Thank you, Renee for writing this book. I know it is not available yet for purchase until August 1st, but our mutual friend, Glynnis Whitwer, loaned me her copy to read. I have been struggling for months recently, but if I am honest with myself it has been since I was a child with self-doubt and not measuring up to others expectations for me especially my parents. Here I am 37 years old and after a few attempts to end my life, I am still here for God must have a plan for me. The timing of me reading your book was perfect, of course. I have been struggling and it has not been pretty. Some days are better than others. Your book however, has given me encouragement and new found hope. There are times even though I have great friends that would do anything for me, I feel alone and in the dark. I have printed out the Promises to Personalize Page with my name inserted to keep in my bathroom and in my car and at work. Your book has been a blessing to me! Once I am able to buy a copy I am returning Glynnis’ copy to her. If I don’t win your drawing, I would however, like to purchase the “Confident Heart” sticky notes. I need them:)
Your book has also encouraged me to lead a small group again and have your book as the focus! I can’t thank you enough!!!! I have hope…….which I desperately needed. THANK YOU!!!!! 🙂
Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. I have always wanted to be accepted but never felt that I truly fit in anywhere… especially with my family. At my age, I still find it hard to believe that God would choose me. I am working on it, but am not quite there yet…….
Dear Renee,
I am getting so much out of your messages, and I have heard those lies and thought they were my own thoughts. The verse that spoke the most to me, and the one I’ve been holding onto recently is: Philippians 1:6 “I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.” Sometimes I get discouraged because I’m not where I thought I would be right now, (My 20th high school reunion is this weekend.) but I believe God is still working things out. His timing is definitely not my timing, but I will let God be God in my life and put my trust in Him.
Blessings,
I needed to read Ephesians 3:12. I can approach God in confidence. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for me, so that I can approach the father with full confidence that he will hear my plea. Boy, Satan likes to turn this one inside out…..The Seven Day Doubt Diet is such an inspiration, I look forward to reading the entire book! I can’t wait for the challenges that are in store! Thank you for your ministry!
Renee, I would love to win a copy of your book and the Starbucks card!! I want to thank you for your post and for the comprehensive list of verses that we can easily access at times when we need them the most. When a person needs those reminders the most is when I find it’s harder to actually take the time to look up verses that will make you feel better (although I do find that God does work for us by having us find what we need when we just open up the Bible–the page often magically appears…) Anyway, I am copying this list and printing it out to put in my binder to keep handy for just those times when I need more confidence in myself. Thank you so much!!
I needed to hear Philippians 4:13 most of all today. “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” So much going on in my family as I try to help take care of my aging and sick parents. I gladly do all I can, I just need prayers to help guide me.