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.
I cant wait to get your book. I am hoping that I can get a group together to do the study together. Thank you for allowing God to work through you to reach many of us!
Just Wonderful! I learned to name things a long time ago. Naming things helped me to deal with my issues in a more realistic manner, rather than trying to fight an unknown enemy. What I did not realize and learned from watching this video was the value from God that is placed on the concern when we name it. Hearing you say the reason God named the animals was an awesome revelation for me! I didn’t realize by naming things I was inviting The Lord into my thought processes, this is so freeing! I have so more to say about how thankful I am for watching this but it would take all day and most of your space. So, I will just say Thank you, thank you, thank you for opening my eyes, my heart, and my thought processes in a wonderful new way!
i, for some reason, am feeling anxiety in thinking about naming things in those dark places. i have been dealing with some not such terrific issues from my past since an emotional breakdown a few months ago. there are several incidents from my past that i just can’t remember details….exactly what happened. just knowing that it happened. i so want to move away from the damage that it caused me and, subsequently, what it caused in my daughters. anger, unforgiveness, shame…are all familiar words. but is that enough “naming” to bring about the complete healing that i know the Lord has for my family.
it is so easy to now name the thousands of blessings (i am known for embellishing facts) so i am going to endeavor to write them down…and count to see how many there are. and i know, in my heart, it will be in the thousands. God has been so good and merciful and gracious in my life….and i am sooo in awe of what He has done, is doing, and is going to do, i can’t wait to start the count!!!!
God’s blessings as you open up yet another piece to completeness in the Lord!!!
I recently have gone through some of the same things of which you speak above. God lead me to a Christian counselor. After getting some of these forgotten issues, my counselor directed me to another Christian counselor that does EMDR. This was miraculous for me and allowed me to completely heal. Google this and see if it is for you.
Self doubt is one of my biggest challenges. I often feel like I am not valuable and have been trying to change that in my heart. Thank you for having the courage to share and help me know there is a way to overcome self doubt.
thank you , doubting my self and knowing what to do about it has been on my mind and in my prayers as of late. this Web site has given me some direction. God never lets a person on there own, He’s always sending help in some form in some way when we need it. It’s good to know others in Christ so open to share
This message struck a chord with me this morning. It was just what I needed. Isn’t He wonderful!! I can’t wait to hear more.
Thank you so much for your heart felt discussion with Ann on the porch. I too felt as if I was there with you both. I have had the self doubt feelings for so long. My mother died when I was only 5 years old and it just seems that the struggles have been ongoing for so many years. I am currently out of work trying to get disability due to severe fibromyalgia and chronic fatique syndrome and spend a lot of time feeling that I am not worthy, that I am a burden and I can not even begin to put in words how much this has helped me. I would be honored if I was choosen to receive a copy of both books. Thank you so much for allowing our Precious Lord and Savior to work through you, which allows you to help women such as myself. Love in Christ
This was an awesome word today. To name the things, good and bad, in our life and bring them into the light of Christ-awesome. It sure gives me something to reflect on as I go through my day today! Thanks for sharing!
There’s a certain freedom in “naming it”….took me nearly 50 years to realize that, but still have to remind myself often. Thanks for the post!
Wow… I would love to have the opportunity to sit on a porch and chat with the two of you! It felt like I was there! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your heart through your book and then sharing with us Ann’s book too. I have thought of reading hers on several occasions but just hadn’t gotten it yet. Now I look forward to adding that to my list of “must read”.
Blessings to you today!
Renee, what a great interview with Ann…I truly felt like I was sitting on the porch with you…especially when the big truck went by! So true about the power of naming our feelings…all feelings are neutral…when we allow them to come to the surface and give them a name, we are able to receive the healing that Jesus wants to provide through His Word. It reminds me of the Scripture, “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!” (Jeremiah 6:14 TLB). Thank you for the reminder this morning 🙂
After losing my job along with it alot of friends and then a few weeks later my Mom, my best friend it really shook my world. It has only been recently that I have been asking myself ‘Who am I?’ ‘Why am I here?’. It wasn’t until after I saw you speak at MBC in June that I realized that the doubts I carried with me since being a young girl have stayed with me but I know longer have my Mom and the friends I saw daily to keep me in sync. Listening to your story was like living my life over but I am so inspired by you and what you have to say. Thank you so much for what you are doing.
I have to wait until I get home to watch the video. I am so looking forward to it.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for the 7 Day Doubt Diet and for encouraging us and helping us find a way to overcome self doubt and stand firm in Jesus-Confidence!
The timing of this encouragement is so perfect for me right now! Thanks for sharing your conversation this morning and I look forward to more tomorrow. God Bless!
Thank you both for sharing your thoughts in the video. It is so encouraging to me to see other Christian women be real with their thoughts in this way. I have been struggling with self-doubt when it “seems” like so many around me have it so together. I know God is using things in my life to grow me and teach me these past few years but they have been challenging ones. Still I press on and when others share words like you both have, it encourages me to continue to press on and grow. Thank you!
The daily devotionals of the 7 Day Doubt Diet have been such an encouragement to me in both my spiritual and personal life, at work, at home, everywhere! Thank you so much! If I do not win the book, I will save up to purchase it as I know it will be one I will read again and again. I also know that I would love to share it with my daughters and friends. Thank you!
What a blessing to “sit on the porch” and listen to your conversation today! We know Satan is always working to keep us in the shadows of self-doubt, to keep us in bondage to our own fears. What joy to know God is waiting to bring us into the light and to reassure us of our value, our beauty, and our worth! Thank you for sharing with us today!
Love the new website. Looking forward to more of the discussion on Friday. I would love to receive the two books. Thank you both for your ministry. God bless!
Loved the interview! Thank you Renee and Ann for your honesty, openess and vulnerability of sharing with us. Naming it and giving it to the Lord is so good and so very important to release it so we are not held back in bondage and we can live the life Jesus died for us to live-a life of abundance!!!
Thank you Rene. This is sooo on time for me. As I feel strongly that God is leading me in a direction, however, I have battle in my mind the “What If’s” and fighting fear. I am so grateful to God and to you for sharing this on yesterday. Thank God for your ministry.
Self doubt can be so paralyzing – I can wait to read the books and it would be great to win!!
I enjoyed the interview with Ann. I am in a book club at church and we are finishing up Ann’s One Thousand Gifts. It has been an awesome experience and there are so many ladies that book can touch.
I have seen you speak with Melissa in her Hidden Joy bible study. Your words speak deeply to me, especially since I feel like the master of self doubt. The thought of being able to use this in a good way, is very reassuring. God’s love is so amazing. Thank you for your inspiring words.
That is so true! Once something has a name – it looses it’s power over you because once you know what something is you can begin to respond differently and work towards fixing or controlling the power you’ve let that have over you. All of the books, yours hers, would be such an honor to win and all of them great blessings to read….hopefully one of these times I’ll get lucky…be blessed and thanks for all you ladies do!
Penny
It was so interesting to watch this interview, I have heard of Ann’s book before. I have also loved going through the 7 day doubt diet. To win these books would be amazing! Thanks!
I have heard so many good things about both books! Renee – I heard you speak in Williamston NC last year and LOVED your words of wisdom! I have several friends who are reading Ann’s book and hope to steal it once they are done : ) Thank you both for your ministries…
Loved the reminder that God can bring beauty out of the ashes!
Boy, do I ever have some things I need to name!!! Love this!
I’ve always understood to figure out what the problem is before fixing it. I never took the time though to focus on my self-doubt. The more I read and mediate especially upon God’s Word and the doubt diet devtionals, it has really come to light how much self-doubt has played a role in my life. I always brushed aside the self-doubt as something that was just me and no one else deatl with it. I never took the time to realize that it can be overcome. I am happy to journey down the road of recongnizing self-doubt and working through it and now having the tools to teach my children as they grow up.
Naming ‘it’ takes all the power away from ‘it’!…the enemy is defeated!!
Love, love, love your book! Thank you, Renee!
Your book and the 7 day doubt diet could not have come at a better time for me. I have been struggling with self-doubt a lot lately and felt like I was wandering around a room in the dark trying to find my way out. I know this is God’s way of helping me. Thank you for allowing God to use you to help others!!!!
I am enjoying your devotions and video talks!!!
Thanks for the chat on the porch. Made do some thinking.
I have always had a lot of self doubt. But, with you doubt-diet
and the HJ Study, I am trying to ovr come some of my doubts.
Would love to read both books.
Thanks for your devotions and video talks.
I am thankful for women that are eager to share their growth in Christ with other women so we can grow also.
I am growing in my faith and learn much from my pastor but to learn from women is different as they
are sharing ,experiencing, and overcoming the very same things that I am struggling with.
Thank you Renee and Ann for sharing your words and making them available for me to continue to grow in my Lord.
I know I am going to get this book someday, as it keeps nudging me to read. I would love a signed copy. Both of you are wonderful gifts of God, being able to share the word like you do helps me. God’s blessings!
Hi Renee ~
I came across your website throu Proverbs 31 ministries, and am I so thankful. The devotions in your 7 Day Doubt Diet are so powerful and have really helped me discover some doubts that I was not able to name. Naming your enemy is empowering because knowledge is a key to living! Thank you Renee for sharing your gifts with us.
Thank you so much for sharing! I have a big problem with self-doubt that i have just recently discovered while doing your 7 day doubt diet. I am so thankful that i have discovered the issue and knowing that i am not the only one out there makes it so much easier for me. I have been praying to God to help me out of the self-doubt so that i can be obedient to his calling and so that i can be all that he wants me to be. I have turned down so many opportunities from the fear of thinking that i wasn’t good enough or that i didn’t have what it took to do it. But now i know that it was just Satan’s whispers telling me all those lies. I know that i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank you so much for your blogs and encouragement!
Thank you both for being faithful to truly share your walk with God – not just the highs, but the lows as well. I am a long time follower of both blogs and have both books on my wish list. I would love to have them – as I believe they both will become tools to aid me in my struggle with doubt and letting go of things.
In His grace,
Karan
“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.”
Please don’t think I am challenging you here, but merely trying to better understand. Isn’t ‘self-doubt’ in itself, fear and worry? I also suffer from the aforementioned and when I gave your comments some thought, I see that it is fear and worry that leads me to self doubt. The fear that I am not good enough; the worry that I will fail; leaves me with self doubt. I must admit, I rather like the label because it really focuses in on the place the fear and worry have taken me to, but I still see them as a great part of the package. So, having said that, do you agree that fear and worry necessarily equal self doubt? Are they not behind all self doubt?
Satan will twist and twist to confuse us and to deceive us; call it what we will; fear, worry, self doubt. I do believe that once he has us in fear or worry, it takes hold, we end up in self doubt.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this, and I thank you so much for yours.
Yes!! Name it and kick it out!!
Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
I have been having attacks of acute pain under my ribcage and have had many tests so far. It will be so nice to finally put a name to what is going on so I can deal with it. Your post just hit the spot today!! I would love to read both books as I too struggle with insecurity. Thank you! Josie
I have dealt with feelings of self doubt my whole life. I really love your posts because they are so honest and get to the heart of the matter. I would really love to read a confident heart – God works through people like you to help people like me. Thank you for today’s post it is so true!
Thank you for sharing this insight about doubts in our lives and how God calls us to rise above those doubts. Blessings!!
You continue to bless me by sharing God’s truth! I’m so excited in how God is working in my life right now. Thanks for your part in this! I’d love to read Ann’s book and yours!
I’ve lived with doubt my whole life. To the point where even my identity seems clouded…like I don’t know who I am supposed to be or what I’m supposed to be doing. I even doubt that God loves me and is hearing my pleas for help. I have lost my identity behind “Doubt”.
Thank you for your post.
Great video. It really makes me think. Thanks!!
Uneasy and so uncertain – those words really hit home to me. Living amongst constant ongoing earthquakes right now, fear unease and uncertainty are both huge in my life. Add to that the struggles that I am having with my graphic designing, self doubt is keeping me from being as creative as I should be, and from fulfilling my full potential. I am praying for healing and hope in all the above areas. God is good and His love never fails us.
Awesome, that’s one of the prettiest book covers I’ve ever seen!
Hi Renee,
My devastated heartbreak brought me to a point of my life to doubt, to worry and to fear my future and stuffs like how God will bring everything to pass. I doubt even the magnificent hand work of God, and His Sovereignty. I really thank God for leading me to your blogs and your writing has a big part on my healing process that reminds me that in Him healing is not impossible. Being honest about our thoughts to God would be a big help. And that the ONLY ONE who can give us HOPE and CONFIDENT is the One who created us, who love us unconditionally and sacrificially, and the One who own us – JESUS!
Thank God for your amazing 7-DAY DOUBT DIET! I was blown away by His goodness as I see Him really moving in my life. Im hoping to have a copy of your book soon. 🙂 It really blessed so many hearts. Keep on Renee, for His glory!
Im with you also in prayer.
Many thanks,
Ninz 🙂
Hi Renee,
My devastated heartbreak brought me to a point of my life to doubt, to worry and to fear my future and stuffs like how God will bring everything to pass. I doubt even na magnificent hand work of God, and His Sovereignty. I really thank God for leading me to your blogs and your writing has a big part on my healing process that reminds me that in Him healing is not impossible. Being honest about our thoughts to God would be a big help. And that the ONLY ONE who can give us HOPE and CONFIDENT is the One who created us, who love us unconditionally and sacrificially, and the One who own us – JESUS!
Thank God for your amazing 7-DAY DOUBT DIET! I was blown away by His goodness as I see Him really moving in my life. Im hoping to have a copy of your book soon. 🙂 It really blessed so many hearts. Keep on Renee, for His glory!
Im with you also in prayer.
Many thanks,
Ninz 🙂
God is amazing! Seriously! I just emailed a group of my Mommy friends so that we could set up a “Mom’s group” to study “A Confident Heart” starting in Sept. after the kiddos get back into the routine of school. I told the Mom’s that we would work through “A Confident Heart” for 6-weeks, then we would take a short break and start meeting back up to read Ann Voskamp’s, “One Thousand Gifts.” We are doing the studies back to back! Then, I just got this blog post through my email tonight! Wow! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us Mommies through Renee and Ann! I’m sure it’s going to be amazing!