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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Reading your 7-Day Doubt Diet has been a reminder to me of the fact that those doubts which haunt my mind and feelings are from one source. The source that wants to break me down, make me feel insecure, leave me with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Opening my heart to those doubts fuels them and weakens me. The source wins. That source, of course, is Satan, who wants nothing more than to undermine God’s ways. But God is the source of strength in my life. He is the one who created me because of love, who gave me His Word to help me grow in wisdom and confidence, who gave me the help of the Holy Spirit to speak to my soul, who gave me the opportunity of a guilt-free life never-ending with Him through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Just like some foods weaken us and some foods nourish us, the source we open our hearts to determines whether we stand in fear or in confidence. Thank you for reminding me to guard my heart and and open it only to the one true God; the God who saves, protects, and nourishes.
Thanks so much for allowing God to use you to speak to us. Following Renee through this doubt cleansing has already been a blessing for me and my family. Facing those insecurities head on has released a lot of stress in our home. My 12 year old son said mom I like the new you! I’m looking forward to this journey! God bless!!
Thank you so much for sharing this video with us and I look forward to the other one on Friday! The video really made me feel like I was there with you two and listening and learning from your experience and wisdom! I have struggled with self-doubt all my life, and it is good to know that I am not alone!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words and helping me finally give this lack of confidence a name. I have been a damaged person since I was a little girl and live with chronic self doubt. If it were not for my Heavenly Father and ladies like you with such Godly encouragement life would seem impossible.
Thank you for sharing the devotion and your conversation with Ann; both uplifted me this morning at a time when self-doubt is plaguing me. I am so thankful for God’s love and presence during this storm in my life, and for blessing me with this encouragement.
The devil tried to stop this comment. I won’t let him. While finishing up “Trigger Points” from the email this morning I heard a couple Christian songs on the radio that fit so well with your encouragement. It makes me smile when God puts so many different things right in front of you to wake you up.
I don’t know how many times that I let opportunities slip by because of my doubt in what I could do. I always felt like I was a confident person, but after my divorce doubt starting creeping in all aspects of my life. After reading the 1st chapter of your book and going through the 7 day doubt diet, I realize what I have been doing to myself. I have not been letting God work in me the way He should. Can’t wait to read the entire book.
Self-doubt is paralyzing. It is like a disease that only you know , you are suffering from. I am glad to know I am not the only one with it.
Good words. We have to fix our eyes on Jesus. If we don’t they usually are stuck in the mirror looking back at us and that’s when the battle begins for me. I love naming our ‘things’. That reminds me of a commercial where a little girl is in bed and she sees a monster. “You’re not real” she tells him. The monster is bummed he wasn’t able to scare her. Lord help us keep our eyes on you and grow in your likeness. Looking forward to seeing both of you at SS.
Renee: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on self-doubt and also for sharing Ann’s remarkable spirit with us. I’ve started reading Ann’s book and immediately know of several friends who will benefit from it, as well as from your book. As women, we are pulled in so many different directions and rarely take time to listen to our Father’s voice. As a result, we are paralyzed by fear instead of being energized by our Father’s loving Spirit. I look forward to your post on Friday and further conversation with Ann. What a blessing you two are to us.
Amazing!!!! God is opening my eyes and my heart with every post. This interview was such an eye opener. My trial has been a huge black monster over me that has pushed me away from all I have ever been for God. I’m hanging on to my love for Him, yet this monster is between us. I am so anxious to see God luminate and make this something He can help me to identify, deal with and walk away from. I know God is in it all, I have just not been able to see because of the darkness and fear. God bless you both fo opening your heart and life for God to use for others. I can’t thank you enough. Renee
Thank you so much for your blog, your devotions, and the book you wrote. Unfortunately, I’ve struggled with self doubt far too long. I have faith that with God, and in time, I will overcome it. Thank you so much for all you do. You’re helping change so many lives!
Would love to win. I can certainly relate to the frustrations that can get a woman down. Self doubt is such a pain!
It was delightful to see two women of God come together and share the light of His word. The excitement in both of your lives as you shared your thoughts reveals the grace of our Lord speaking through you. It is evident how much we need each other as we depend on Him. Thank you both for being transparent and shooting from the hip the light of Gods word showing us how to expel the shadows in our lives. Thank you also for reminding me to name the good things in my life to shine and shine some more. Glory to God.
I just took the Doubt Index Analysis and am happy that it puts me in the middle range as I thought I was going to be lower. I am having an especially difficult time right now and can’t figure out why. I have been single and celibate for over 16 yrs and have just started dating again. I want to be married again. God has done a lot of work in me over these years so that this extreme feeling of inadaquecy and constantly being on the verge of tears has surprised me. I am hoping your books can give me some guidance.
thanks for your devotion on prov 31 this am, going thru a lot of self doubt and wondering what God has for me. I’m so thankful that other women have walked this road and are willing to share insights and prayers!
I so enjoyed this video. It is so true when you put a name on something how it changes your perspective. Thanks for welcoming us to the front porch. I can’t wait for the next time.
I enjoyed the video very much. I’m currently doing a Bible study on the Psalms and find that what you discuss about self-doubt, fear, and lack of courage, are the same things that David was dealing with during his time in the wilderness. I am looking forward to reading Renee’s book, because I often suffer from lack of confidence in my daily life.
I’ve been wanting to read “Thousand Gifts” every since a friend recommended it, but our library doesn’t carry it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you for this. I loved that we need to name the dark and the light. We need to slow down and name the gifts because time goes so fast….and those remind us that God is with us in the dark places. Loved it!!!