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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Measuring Up

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 A Confident Heart Coveras 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!

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Comments

  1. Reading this today made me feel like you have been hanging out in my house the past few weeks, listening in to my conversations with my husband and with myself. I know this is God reaching out to me through your words, and I am so thankful. I just took the “Doubt Index Analysis” from last week’s devotion and scored 154….just on the cusp of self-doubt being a heavy burden. As I am raising two daughters, I really feel called to work through this issue, and I want to thank you for being a prompt. I am new to your website and found you through “Encouragement for Today” and the Proverbs 31 Ministries devotions. Thanks much.

  2. I got your book in the mail yesterday! I’m anxious to get started reading it! I’m going to type up these scriptures on a page for me, my daughter and my BFF. My daughter is 23 and struggling with an eating disorder. If only she could believe the truth instead of the lies in her head. Please keep us in your prayers. It is overwhelming and crushes my heart.

    Thanks for writing the book!
    Danette

  4. Thanks Renee. I actually needed to hear all of that today! I constantly compare myself to everyone. I’m not good enough, smart enough, thin enough, whatever. But really, God made me and why would He bother making anything that wasn’t worthy of His love? When you step out of your own thoughts and feelings and look at it from another perspective, you have to see that God doesn’t waste his time on anything. God counts each of us a precious. That’s easy to see for other people, because many times, it’s easy to pick up on the good stuff and say “yeah, that person is great.” It’s not so easy to see that in ourselves.
    We live in such an odd society. We’re not supposed to build ourselves up because then people think we’re vain or egotistical, so instead, we tear ourselves down, which is really of what God wants. The thing is, if we spend our lives building up God, we don’t need to build ourselves up because God’s light can’t help but shine through us!

  5. Renee ~ I cannot thank you enough for being such an inspiring vessel for God’s word. I have been struggling with thoughts of “not measuring” up for a long time. After reading your July 27th devotional I can clearly see I’ve been fully deceived. For the first time in a long time I’m beginning to see myself as who I am in Christ. Thank you again!

  6. This truly was a significant reading and made me realize how often I judge myself by other’s standards and fail to meet their expectations. I am listening to the lie that Satan throws at me, tripping me up and giving me guilt and depression.
    It is wonderful to ponder the verses that state I am accepted, secure and significant in God’s eyes. He is looking at me and seeing the righteousness of Christ. May I realize the living Christ within whenever I am plunged into self-doubt, fear and depression. Thank you for this wonderful message to set me free from the strangling hold that Satan uses to entrap me.

  7. Hi Renee,
    I so appreciated your devotional on Proverbs 31 Ministries. I compare myself with others and I’m always on the losing end. “I am FREE from condemnation; I cannot be separated from God’s LOVE.” (Romans 8: 31-35) God loves; He does not condemn. “I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.” (Ephesians 1:3-8) I have been chosen – I am loved and don’t have to prove myself to Him or have Him notice me compared to others. How comforting – what amazing love. I have a purpose – He has a purpose for me.

  8. Oh, How I needed this today!! Some days it’s just really hard to smile and accept the curves that get thrown at you. Nothing even too major, just enough to throw a wrench in your schedule, miss a family picnic, or a whole weekend day without your spouse involved in the days activities. I need the boost today to turn my frown into a smile to say, It’s ok. The situation is really not that bad. The last thing I want to do is make him feel bad over a work situation that is out of his control. Unfortuntely those situations arise and they affect more than just work. So, let me thankful he HAS a good job, and make the best of sticky situation. Sometimes all I need is to read your blog for a quick “pick me up” and I’m back to reality making things work.

  9. Thank you, Renee, for reminding me “whose I am”. I am struggling with still being a single, divorced mom after 10 years. Thank you, thank you. God bless!

  10. Self doubt is something I’ve struggled with for so long. I’m so grateful for Proverbs 31 ministries & the resources it has put me in touch with. I’ve never thought of comparing this to Eve in the garden, but it makes so much sense now.

  11. Thank you for today’s devotion. The last few months I have been struggling Spiritually. Not been feeling God in my life like I used to. And of course I have let Satan make me feel defeated. He’s even had me doubting my salvation. I guess what spoke to me the most from your devotion is that I am secure in Christ. “Romans 8:31–3 I am free from condemnation. I cannot be separated from God’s love.” Satan has tried to make me feel condemned, but he can never separate me from God. Thank you for helping me to see that.

  12. Renee, Thank you so much for this! I have struggled with doubts for as long as I can remember. My life has been filled with shame and a lack of self-confidence which has led me to believe Satan’s lies and be deceived. I have never felt like I measured up. My husband divorced me and I feel like part of me died. I want my life back… I will keep reading God’s truth. I know them, I have just never felt like they were for me. I have never felt good enough. Please pray for me. Thank you.

  13. As I read your devotional this morning I thought of a young woman who was recently touched by the Word of God at church camp. She heard, maybe for the first time, “you’re worth it!” and it captured her heart. God may be moving me to have an influence in her life, so your book would be a valuable resource to share. Thanks for writing!

  14. I believe my greatest area of doubt is my marriage. Everytime I don’t hold back my emotions, my frustration, my tongue, whispers of doubt begin to creep in about whether or not I can be the godly, submissive, quiet-spirited wife that God has called me to be. Those days I allow the enemy to convince me that God is tired of me failing again and again in the “simple” things. It’s amazing how good he is at shifting my focus; instead of looking at the areas I have progressed in, I’m weighed down by the guilt and condemnation of the areas that appear stagnant.

    But like you reminded me today (thank you) there is no condemnation from Christ and that God won’t be through with me until I’m in Heaven with Him. I could actually relate to every scripture because it seems as though so many of them are head knowledge but it’s a struggle making them heart knowledge when I’m going through my moments of doubt.

    I really enjoyed meeting you and talking with you Saturday night (I’m Karen’s friend, Ayla, the one who converted from Islam). Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about my story amidst the business of the conference. I wasn’t able to pick up your book there but know that in His perfect time and with His perfect provision, He will make a way for me to have it.

    Jesus love and blessings to you.

  15. Thank you! I really needed to hear this today. I was just talking with a friend yesterday about how I always feel like I don’t ‘measure up’ to other christian women. Sometimes I really feel like a huge failure as a christian woman, and all my friends and ladies at my church make it look so easy. I had never read that verse about not comparing each other. This has really lifted my spirits today 🙂

  16. Thank you so much for the reminder that these are truly lies we are hearing and the only way to stop them is to replace them with His truth. John 15:16, I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. This verse spoke to me most today because I have been struggling with where and how I am to fit in His service. This verse reminds me that I am appointed to bear fruit in all ways not just one way. I am not called to only bear fruit at my speaking events but in all areas of my life. Thanks again !!!

  17. Thank you so much for the encouragement today! I needed it! Have a great day! 🙂

  18. This was really good. I love confirmation- and today; for me that’s what this was. I definitely will have to add this book on my list of “to read’s” 🙂 Have a Beautiful Day!

  19. I love, Love, LOVE the truth verses you listed today!!! Thank you so much for doing that. As I was reading over your post today, I was evaluating myself to see where I’m at today. By the grace of Jesus, I’m having a fairly confident day. I know what I have to get done today, and while it’s not rocket science, it’s important and needs to get done for the Glory of God on Sunday.
    Your posts are always a reminder to “check myself”, to make sure I am continuing on the narrow path, and not getting side tracked by the things of this world. Thank you!!