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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Wow! God is using Ann to inspire me so much recently. This video clip will help me talk to one of my sisters who has just been diagnosed with lymphoma and who won’t accept the diagnosis. I can talk to her now about how naming it destroys the mask and the haunting, and can help her see God’s hand and His gifts even in this. Thanks Ann and Renee.
I love this whole discussion about naming the dark places in our lives so we can turn them over to God and be free of them. I’m loving Ann’s book so far (and would love the copy to share with a friend who could be encouraged by it), and look forward to reading your book as well!
I cannot express the impact that you have had on me.!!!!!! Thank you so much for FREEDOM!
Naming things does make everything a little less frightening. Naming things as you give them to God makes everything seem very okay!
I’m so encouraged by your work! I didn’t realize how much of my daily anxiety is caused by self-doubt. Thanks for helping me name it so I can face it and work on it. I’m so thankful to know that our Savior Jesus Christ will help me with this. He’s already answering some of my prayers through you and Ann. Thank you!
Renee,
My big issue was bitterness and it took me thirteen years for me to put names to my struggles. I know personally what it means to battle discouragement and despair when I didn’t have the names for what I was feeling. Thankfully, God pursued me through my struggles, my avoidance, and my running until I saw the name for my issue, bitterness and judgement. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and blessing us with what you and Ann talked about.
I only discovered Ann’s blog (and yours, too!) last week. Since then, I’ve been steadily reading through the archived posts and I just can’t stop. The simplicity and poetic way Ann writes draws me in. I’ve marked “One Thousand Gifts” on my wish list & can’t wait to read it!
Trying to learn from this infomation of hope . I think your devotion is the answer for me!
Thank you for reaching out to everyone.
This is a real encouragement. I haven’t read either book but would love to read them!
I have been reading Ann’s book on my Nook. It is having a life changing effect on me. I have been a Christian for many years and met a friend recently for lunch who has also been a Christian for many years. At one point in our conversation she stopped and said, “Something has changed in you…what has happened.” And I think I’m only on the third chapter. Having an attitude of gratitude in all things deeply changes your perspective and therefore changes you. It helps you see things more as He sees them…which is very different from the way we typically see them. It is such a gift to walk with God -thanks for turning my heart toward Him.
Thank you for posting the video. It was good to have you both recap what 1000 gifts is all about. I am excited to read your book, because I think they will tie together beautifully!
Thank you so much for the video. Putting a name to issues is a great idea. Thanks so much for your words of hope and thanks so much for sharing.
I am learning not to run through my “valley” but to confidently and in the everlasting arms of my Father journey through this unlovely terrain knowing that He has total control when I truly surrender to Him. It is comforting to know that I am not sojourning alone. Thank you for your loveliness as you share what God has given to you with so many ……..To God be the Glory great things He has done!
Beautiful book, beautiful testimony. Just gave One Thousand Gifts to my sis-in-law and would love to share with more people. Great giveaway!
I LOVE Ann’s book!! It has inspired me so much and now I’m sharing it with a group of friends in a summer Book/Bible study group. Some of my friends are sharing a copy, so I would love to surprise them with a SIGNED copy!! That would be so exciting!! …..and now, I would LOVE to be God-inspired by your book!!! Maybe I could just share it with them for another Book/Bible study!! That would be great!
it is good to listen to both your words and experiences bouncing off each other. makes those of us out in no where land feel connected with other women learning to live with God in their lives…
I enjoyed this video today for many reasons and am confident that God brought me here just to hear this today. I recently had some medical tests done and was waiting a long time for answers….the process of all of this taught me so much as I worked through fear and doubt. I am thankful that our Lord draws us near as we learn from and through Him.
I have been searching your new website and am patiently waiting for your book to arrive. All my life I have had self doubts and anxiety that have kept me from doing and exploring new adventures. This has also hurt me with social situations. I feel inadequate to socialize. I am working very hard at discovering why. I would love to read Ann’s book too. It makes sense to name what it is that is causing self doubt. Thank you both for your ministries.
I’ve enjoyed Ann’s book for the past 6 months and have given it as a gift to my dearest friend. It has changed me in ways I can’t even begin to articulate. In listening to this conversation, I see that though I believe that I trust God, I do struggle with self-doubt, and in that way don’t trust God to work through me as much as I thought. Thank you for sharing & walking this journey with so many women that you will never meet this side of heaven.
Thank you so much for that short video! What a privilege to hear your conversation. And what a message of truth and encouragement. I would so love to win these books! Thanks!