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.
My best friend and I are beginning a group for 4th-5th grade girls this fall and as I read today, it continued to stir the passion that these truths are so foundational to our lives as grown women, but also that they must be conveyed to the next generation as early as possible so that they can live in fullness of peace and joy while being free to accomplish so much for the Kingdom of God.
Blessings to you!
Shanda
God continually keeps reminding me through HIS word just what I need to hear. I recently took on a new position that has thrown at me new challenges I never thought I would have. I have constantly questioned my purpose and whether I could take on all the very difficult tasks. Each time I wonder, God sends me a verse to bring me back on track. Sometimes it’s through my personal Bible reading, and today it was through you – so I send my thanks. Yes, I think you wrote this just for me. ha ha. Actually, that’s why God’s word is so powerful – it can meet the needs of so many people at just the right spot. The verse here that stood out to me was Romans 8:2–I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. Right now some circumstances seem dim – but I can remain hopeful that God has called me to this work, and He will enable me because HE will work it all for good.
I’m not sure who first told me something is wrong with me, but I confess to believing it more often than not. Thanks for your reminders of our aceptance and significance in Christ.
I must admit that I often compare myself with others, and of course, I always find myself lacking. I have never felt good enough. This led me through a myriad of issues from anorexia to cutting and more that I don’t dare mention. Life has been a struggle, but it seems to be because I cannot let go and trust. The verse that really spoke to me is this: Romans 8:31–39 I am free from condemnation. I cannot be separated from God’s love.
This is what I need to hold onto. It is not what I do, though I try, it is what He has done.
Thank you again for your wonderful devotion today.
Hi Renee!
I’ve been reading about your book for a few weeks now, and was surprised when my sister returned from the SheSpeaks conference Sunday night with a handout you must have given out about throwing out your confidence. My 2 girlfriends Katie, Audrey and I are planning on doing your book next for our group Bible Study.
Anyways, I digress. I struggle with weight issues and accepting who I am. My husband loves me for who I am as well as my family and friends, just not myself. I know this is a common issue among women, and I am sure I am not the first to post about it. What struck me most about today’s devo was when God asked Adam and Eve who told them they were naked and should cover up? God didn’t, but Satan did. I’m applying that to myself today, the Lord isn’t telling me I’m too fat, Satan, through myself is doing it.
I look forward to reading your book and sharing with like-minded girlfriends!
OMGoodness, Renee…this hit the nail on the head today! I have read Dr. Anderson’s material and even done a study and it is wonderful. I have an artwork pic of this very identity we have in Christ. I will post it to your FB page…it’s beautiful. I would love to win anything of your studies, etc. The Lord has blessed me so much through your ministry. God bless you, Renee.
Michelle
need to hear I was chosen and appointed to bear fruit. thank you for writing this book out of the depths of your heart.
This was a wonderful read for me today! I have been battling with feelings of inadequacy and your message hit the spot for me. I read aloud all of those affirmations, and plan on printing it out. Thank you for being used by God!
I have a truly bad habit of comparing myself to others. Thank you for your wise words. I read the devotion out to my husband before he left for work early this morning. Thank you for being a positive part of our lives!
Romans 8:31–39 I am free from condemnation. I cannot be separated from God’s love.
I needed to be reminded of that today. The lie I so often fall for is that I am not good enough to be a child of God. I am a believer in Jesus. I believe that we are saved from our sins. But I still fall for the old “Your not good enough” lie. I have to constantly remind myself that Gods love is unconditional.
So needed to read this today. The one I needed to hear the most today is 2 Corinthians 5:17–21, I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
Loved today’s devotional! Thank you!
■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.
I need to remember these. When I feel like crap because I fell short on something I knew was wrong that it will not separate me from Gods love. That it doesnt make me love me any less.
This reallly spoke to me because I have been married for just three years to a “Christian” man who has been very verbally abusive to me and my two daughters (from before our marriage). I was a baby Christian when we met and married and as I drew closer to the Lord and stronger in Him, the more my husband lashed out at me, going so far as to tell me I wasn’t a woman of God. I absorbed many of these lies from the enemy that my husband spewed at me until about 6 months ago when God gave me the strength to stand up for myself and my daughters putting a stop to the verbal abuse. My husband and I are now separated and I don’t know if the damage can be fixed in our marriage. I am still trying to heal from all the verbal abuse and refind myself in the Lord. I was trying to live to make my husband happy and be the wife he thought I should be instead of focusing on who the Lord says I am. I really appreciate you Renee for speaking into this area of so many of our lives. I look forward to reading your book, hoping it will be another stepping stone in my journey to healing and wholeness in God.
The verse that spoke most to me was: ■Romans 8:31–39 I am free from condemnation. I cannot be separated from God’s love.
God is going to continue working in my life and will not allow this to separate me from Him. My eyes are set on my Papa and my hope comes from Him alone. Whether my marriage can be healed or not is in His hands, but I know that no matter what happens with it, I will always have my Lord by my side.
Thank you Renee and God Bless!! 🙂
Growing up in a home of critisizm, in a church of earning your way to heaven and struggling through a divorce after 18 years of marriage, I have struggled a great deal with insecurity. I am so anxious to receive your book. It’s only been in the past year or so that I have started understanding Grace. It is not something I have had the joy of knowing in the past. I was the one who tried to be the “perfect” Christian and was exhausted at the end of my marriage. I felt I let God down, but also felt I could not go on in my marriage. When the divorce happened, I felt doomed to hell and I turned from God in self defense. “If I turned my back on God, it wouldn’t hurt to have him turn on me”. I couldn’t “earn my way”, so I didn’t feel I was worthy to pray, worthy to ask and very much alone in the world. I give praises to God and new friends who have helped me see that God loves me through my mistakes, failures and being a human. He created me, He loves me and will love me not because I’m worthy but because He promised me Grace. The verse that caught me today is “I have direct access to the Throne of grace through Jesus Christ”. Thank you God for your grace and mercy. Heaven knows I can’t get there on my abilities.
Renee,
I don’t kow that I can tell you one thing just yet. This whole concept of comparison and confidence or lack there of is something that is an ache that is wearing me out right now. I have printed your devotion on Proverbs 31 off as well as your blog post and plan to spend some time with these scriptures and your words. I know this has spoke to many women to day but these words right now are helping me more than I could describe. I am eagerly anticipating reading your book and want to thank you in advance for writing on such an important topic.
LOVED this…confidence and insecurity is my number one issue…I question if I will ever get over it. But, I loved your devotions and am beginning to journal and plan on getting your book…thank you !!!
Thanks Renee for this encouragement. I don’t know how or when but somewhere along the way I truly doubt myself and have no confidence in my abilities. I hear people talk about someone’s gifts and the person they are and then realize they are talking about me and I don’t believe it. I’m determined this year that I will learn and know who I am in Him and truly believe it.
I love that I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. I’m holding fast to that.
[Totally posted on wrong day/blogpost the first time.] Speaking of not “measuring up”, my theme has been: Never enough. That’s a lie Satan has successfull seered into my mind and on my heart for so many years. “You’ll never be good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, strong enough, successful enough. You’re not enough – not enough for your husband, for your friends, for your family, your profession. Try harder, work harder, say “yes”, don’t upset anyone, try to be all things to all people. Or, you can just give up. Don’t bother trying, because you’re not enough. You never will be.” How often have I replayed those phrases in my mind. I am so thankful for your scripture confessions today. I’m going to print them and read them daily
I have been struggling lately with the idea of my husband entering the ministry full-time… what did it mean for me? What was I supposed to do/be for the church. God is really trying to get me to understand that I have nothing to do with any of it. The FACT is He will equipt me. My security isn’t in others acceptance– it’s in Christ’s love for me. I love the verses in Corinthains that continually affect me — ‘it is NOT that we are sufficent of ourselves to do anything; it IS that He has made us suffient to minister in this testament’ If God wants me to be a pastor’s wife, then He will make me able. Thank you for your reminder today.