I hated feeling this way…uneasy and so uncertain. If only I knew what what was making my emotions so wobbly. If only I could name it. Then I could figure out what to do about it.
One day He showed me. It was doubt. Not fear or worry, but self-doubt that made me question everything I thought, felt and said. I didn’t like it, but naming it helped me know how to pray. Naming it led me to confessions I needed to make and promises I could claim. Naming it made me feel like I could finally stand up to it.
Recently I spent some time with my friend, Ann Voskamp. Leah and I visited with her family on their farm in Ontario. While we were there, II was reading a chapter in Ann’s book, One Thousand Gifts, where she talks about the power of naming things. How essential it is to our healing and hope.
We spent time on the porch talking and Leah recorded our conversation so we’d be able to share it with you. It’s so good to know we’re not alone in our doubts and fears. As you’ll see, Ann and I had many that overshadowed our lives for so long, but we found healing and hope once we learned to them. Would you join us on the porch? Be sure to turn up the volume. A truck or tractor passes and it gets kind of loud. <Also, if you are reading this via email, just click on the post title to see the video on my website>
I love how Ann shared, “When you don’t have a name for something, you’re haunted by it’s shadows…But when you can name something… It loses it’s mask and you can find a strategy to deal with it.” (One Thousand Gifts)
Join us Friday…Ann and I kept talking, and we’d love for you to join us again on the porch. I could have talked with her all day! We’ll be back Friday to share more. If you’d like a reminder, simply put your email in the update box at the top of my website, and I’ll slip you a note in your inbox when it’s posted.
We have a few gifts… Would you leave us a little note by clicking “Share your thoughts” below this post. We’d love for you to be part of the conversation, too. And I’m giving away 3 signed copies of Ann’s book, so I”ll draw names from the notes you leave here.
One last thing… I wanted to share how Jesus has been working behind the scenes knowing the topic of today’s post. I’ve been receiving notes from many of you reading my Confident Heart devotions in The 7-day Doubt Diet. Just this week, here is what two of you wrote:
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“Renee, I just finished reading the Introduction and the first chapter of A Confident Heart . Thank you so much for writing a book like this and knowing exactly what it’s called that I’m going and have gone through all my life and didn’t know what it was called. ~ Sharon
“I’ve always doubted myself, but like you I called my different names. It felt so good to know and hear that I am not alone and that I can find my God-Confidence. ~ Megin
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I smiled, knowing it was all HIM!! You are on His heart and in His thoughts, my friends. And if you are curious, maybe now wanting to read Chapter 1 of my book, I’d love to share it with you.
Remember to “share your thoughts” below so I can choose the winners of the 3 signed copies of Ann Voskamp’s New York Times Best-Seller, One Thousand Gifts . I’ll announce the winners next Monday. And since we talked about overcoming self-doubts, I’ll tuck in a copy of my book with each of Ann’s for the three of you who win.
If you are reading this via email, please click on the post title to “share your thoughts” on my website and enter the drawing.
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I’m so looking forward to reading both of these books. I’d love to win them!
I have been like a sponge just soaking up all that I have been learning from the 7 day doubt diet. Putting a name to my feelings has really helped to diminish them. Thank you for your message. I would love to win both books. Have a blessed day!
Thank you for sharing God’s insight on doubt. Of course, the timing is perfect.
Thank you for this powerful message. I look forward to reading both books and deepening my relationship with the Lord through them! Blessings!
Wow! I can’t wait to share this with my friends, we have discussed this so many times. The inability to attach a name to something makes us feel powerless to fight it.
Doubt, worry, fear, insecure, feelings of not being excepted, just to name a few.
After listening to the video and following along with the 7 day doubt diet, I realized when I put a name to what I’m feeling the power that it has over me fades. I need to turn my thoughts to what God thinks about me and replace the lie with truth. I haven’t been given a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7……………..I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength Phil 4:13…………… Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests (worries) to God. Phil 4:6……………Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on the completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6
Thank you for being so transparent and sharing this message of truth.
God Bless
Stephanie 🙂
Oh, what beautiful words of hope! It’s so tempting to want to leave the dark, burdensome things un-named, lurking in the shadows. How wonderful to hear Ann say that by naming them and bringing them into the light, God can bring beauty from their ashes. It’s so easy to be down on myself all the time, feeling useless and hopeless. Your conversation with Ann has brought a fresh perspective and a ray of hope! Bless you!
Thank you for sharing all your insight … I love the bird nest on the cover of the book… Perfect and serene!
I had read a little of Ann’s book and and I love her writing, it was a pleasure seeing and hearing her as well. I keep a thankful journal on my computer and from time to time I enter what I am thankful for on any given day. After watching this video I am challenged to enter in that journal on a more regular basis. Too often our eyes move from what we have to what we no longer have. That in itself lessens our gratitude. I am also enjoying the 7 day Doubt Diet. Those doubts we have are so stubborn, but I am certain God does not want us living in their shadows. Thank you both so much for your writings, they are truly inspiring.
I have read One Thousand Gift and loved it so much that I’ve purchased it for a friend and would like to give it to other friends too! Renee, your insight and honesty are so refreshing, I’m very excited to read your new book!
Oh my, reading your devotion on Proverbs 31 and then hearing your talk to Ann was like you were speaking directly to me. I have been talking to my daughter-in-law about this very thing lately and reminding her of all the good things she is and has accomplished. And that process has helped me take a look at the good things in my life. I always thought I covered my fears by making a joke about myself, but it seems that everyone saw through it but me! Thank you, thank you. God will use this to speak to so many of us.
I have heard so much about this book and am eager to read it. How cool that you are sitting with the author and discussing it with her. Thanks so much for sharing the insight. What a gift!
Wow… several of my friends have recommended Ann’s book… one has actually taken it to heart and has been keeping a photo journal of daily thankfulness on Facebook.
I’ve also done the 7 day Doubt Diet… and reading the first chapter of A Confident Heart struck so many chords with me… can’t wait to read both books… just have to wait till the budget allows for extras!!!
Thanks for sharing your heart and struggles… it is truly a gift!!!
Nicole
Thank you for sharing, in so many ways. What a step it is when we can name things and may all who listen to or read Ann and your’s words be blessed in their life by taking that step.
That certainly did brighten the light that the Lord has been working on in me. At first, I didn’t understand the video; too early in the morning for me, maybe, but as the veil lifted, and I began to understand, it became a powerful message. Yes, to name something gives it an entirely different view. Now I have something concrete in my hand, so to speak, to better deal with it.
I know many people have said they do not like to be ‘labelled.’ But it is labels that help us to understand; others as well as ourselves. Name it and it helps to bring understanding; it loses the power that ignorance holds.
Thankyou so much for sharing this talk you both had on the porch that day; it has helped to empower me to better hear from the Lord, by asking Him for His help. Naming it is the first step to overcoming it! And I feel I have much to overcome.
I love the way God orchestrates our lives and brings us just what we need when we need it. Yet again this rings true with this video, blog and website. I am excited to read “One Thousand Gifts” for more insight and healing.
So true that naming something brings it to life and changes your prayer life and way of dealing with it. Thanks for the encouraging video.
I have a revelation just by listening to the two of you speak forth the gifts of God and the most important gift of all time, Jesus. I have learned that naming something is really really important because it really does chase away whatever that is dark and binding. I thank God for you, for becoming a woman of faith to encourage and share God’s love to all.
I was so blessed by your blog tonight…the video of you and Ann chatting felt like I was there on the porch with the both of you. Thank you for your words of blessing and encouragement …. both of you!!! How I enjoy and am strengthened by your words and by your devotion!!
Thank you
I am thankful for God’s strength through His Son Jesus, and for making my way perfect! I would love to win both books!! Thanks for your encouragement!! 🙂
I love the concept of calling what it is. I know for so many years I had no idea what it was. But it is self doubt which leads to all other things. There is amazing healing in bringing things into light.
I really appreciate the challenge to frame my life’s memories. I appreciate the pictures Ann captures because they take me by the hand to a place I want to be… in fellowship with God…. with family…. with friends…. and share with those who are hurting a hope to know this fellowship.
Such a delight to see two women blessing so many people with their conversation. Thank you for sharing your lives to all of us, who also struggle and live with the shadow of fear and self doubt that easily shatters our confidence in God. As I type these words, the fear of rejection gripped me. I feel a sense of uncertainty in sharing my thoughts. But your conversation challenged me, encouraged me and touched me to strive to live my very best for God. Knowing that God brings the light even into the darkest moments that I am not alone in my struggles has given me a new sense of hope that I too can claim his promises and live a life with a confident heart. I was actually in the verge of writing down and naming one thousand things that I love. And as I stared into a blank piece of paper and realized how many a thousand names were I was at a loss for words. There are indeed so many things to be thankful for and so often we don’t notice them unless we name them and take the time to acknowledge them in our lives. Thank you for giving me a new sense of hope through your ministry. As I share my thoughts to you tears are rolling down my cheeks. I sense God’s peace in my heart and I pray more people will come to know God through your ministries and may He continue to work through your lives so that more people will experience the perfect love of God and claim his promises. It has been a long time since I was able to marvel at the works of God and I thank the two of you for sharing me this experience.
We shouldn’t hide things from the Lord. because nothing is hidden from him to begin with. Instead we should put a name to it and call it what it is, so that we can face it no matter how fearful it may be. I thank you both for letting all of us know that it is the right thing to do. We should bring things into the light to see them. I take comfort in knowing that Jesus is close to the brokenhearted and gives strength to all who lack it. That he will always lead us to truth and bring everything into his light and work all things together for his glory. Thank you for being so open and honest about your walk it gives me hope !!!!