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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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.