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.
Wow!! This post today was something I so needed to hear! Thanks for stiring my heart to seek God more in this season that I find myself in right now!!
God has been working in my heart and mind to depend fully upon him. I have always loved the Lord but I feel him drawing me deeper and deeper into my faith walk. I long to not be enslaved to the worldly concerns that threaten to steal my joy and fill me with doubt and worry. Anxiety creeps in and seems to take over but I’m growing and learning. As a dear friend brought me to Ann’s blog and quite a few other inspirational sisters in Christ to inspire me and sometimes gently challenge me. It would be an honor to enjoy a signed copy of One Thousand Gifts.
Naming that which we are thankful for is life changing!
Oh! So THAT’S why I question every thought and intention that I have. That’s why I analyze my part of every situation. That’s why I assume that I’m to blame for things that don’t even make sense.
I signed up for the emails. I’m anxious to read your thoughts!
I have read this part in the book and it was so encouraging. I love how Ann and Renee talk about how naming something helps to bring clarity. I would love to win these books!
Wow! I finished this book a few months ago – but the truths and practices I learned are so day to day relevant. I’d love to win this and be able to share the love! I’m still learning and weaving my way through “naming”.. a day at a time.
The concept of “naming” is also so important in a grief journey….so liberating and healing. Naming each specific loss in my life that I experienced when my dad died helped me grieve those spaces in my heart and in my life that were now empty.
It’s both heartbreaking and encouraging to me to see how many women struggle with fear and self-doubt. In my marriage over the years I have often tried to explain myself and my own fears and doubts to my husband, and I often tell him that I wouldn’t wish this on anyone else. To know so many other struggle with the same things is so sad to me, but also encouraging that I’m not alone – even if this is something most of my friends in real life don’t talk about!
How wonderful that you and other Godly women have tackled this tough subject, especially when fear and self-doubt is such a taboo kind of subject. Today, as women, mothers, wives, and even leaders, we are “supposed to be strong and confident,” but I’m finding that’s not often the truth of the matter.
Thank you for bringing God’s light to this – I hope to read both of these books soon!
Wow! I sit here listening, tears streaming down my cheeks. Two little boys playing trains at my feet and I’m giving God glory for it all. My tears, my boys, your words and hearts shared here. I’ve been facing some health issues and with utter joy I tell you it is NOT cancer as first suspected by the doctors. Hearing that was relief but the real sense of HOPE happened when I found out what I have, has a name. It has changed everything for me. Like a calm after a storm. Thank you for sharing your conversation with Ann, your heartfelt words and for giving me an opportunity to quite possibly win a very generous gift too. Thank you for blessing my day in a special way.
Such an encouragement to from both Ann and Renee. I have struggled for most of my adolescent and adult life with low self-esteem and anxiety, though I have been learning a lot about how to live in freedom from that bondage in Christ. I have no doubt that encouragement to name my demons and to name the gifts God has given to me is so that I can experience Christ and His freedom more fully. As as start, I am grateful for both Ann and Renee and for their willingness to share their life’s disappointments, struggles, joys and victories with other women in order to help them to grow closer to Christ. Blessings, Paige
Amen and amen! I believe it’s God’s design for us to KNOW Him and be able to know exactly the places where He is at work. That is why I believe that NAMING the doubt, the blessing, or even the trials, is God’s design for us… in order for us to understand, KNOW and SEE where He is at work. Thank you for the encouragement!
I have been so deeply ministered to by Ann’s book and by your blog. Thank you so much for sharing!
Renee, thanks so much for this post & your message on doubt. It’s funny how we Know of God’s promises, yet WITH DOUBT we forget those promises & manage to swim in a whirlwind of mixed emotions, worries, & fears. I look forward to reading the rest of your devotions!
Thank you for the reminder to continue to call upon Jesus’ name. He is the Jehova Jireh, our Provider, for everything we need. I am excited to have the opportunity to read One Thousand Gifts!
May God bless you richly!!
I LOVE Ann’s book and am still working through it. Any friend of hers would be a friend of mine, so I’m happy to have found you, too. I have embarked on a journey to create a new ending to my life story….something that I have been praying for for a long, long time–where I can be grateful for where I am, where I’ve been and where I’m going. It is no coincidence that I have bumped into SO many affirmations of this change recently. Thanks to God!
Wow, Imagine my surprise when I saw this interview. Last night in my ladies bible study we just started “One Thousand Gifts” and coming soon I will be studying “A Confident Heart” with the group Cruising Chicks Doing Bible Study Together. I’m thinking that since I have seen the two authors together that God has big plans for me and He really wants me to study hard and really really learn from both Ann and Renee and I am so excited..Thanks ladies!
I cannot even begin to say what an inspiration this is. I would love to win a copy of each of your books. I think in this time of negativity focusing our sights on God’s blessings is essential.
This is exactly what I needed this morning. I am so greatful that the Lord just knows exactly what I need, and when I need it! God Bless.
Wow! What a revelation…when things are revealed for what they really are, then you can name it and start confessing God’s word to overcome whatever challenge you are facing. Sometimes our fears try and mask themselves as coming from God; but we have to stay prayed up and in His word to be able to call it what it really is, and then be able to continue to confess God’s word in the mist of the challenge and watch God do what He does best!! Renee, thank you so much for this website. I am glad to know that so many other women are experiencing the same doubts and insecurities, and your forum is an avenue that we can use to not only let other women know that they are not alone, but we can also encourage someone through what we’ve been through. God bless you!!
I have been trying to write my testimony and felt that somehow I was in the way of God’s blessings. This post was a aha moment for me. It seemed to speak directly to me. Not fear, worry, self-pity, but self-doubt.
I truly enjoy the blessings your website brings.
These post lately have been for me yesterday and today its like God is speaking to me thru you I would love to win the copies of your book and ANN Voscamp I have been wanting to get her book and yours I am sure they would bless my life I am trying to be thankful everyday for something , intstead of having the stinkin thinkin thoughts. Thank You Renee and Ann You all are a blessing to me. Can’t wait to have a blessing.
Carol
I have heard amazing things about 1,000 Gifts being used in churches in our area. I would love to read it AND continue to grow in my trust in the Lord!
I love the connection between naming God’s gifts to us & that thanks is a praise back. – Everything in Christ, through Christ & back to Christ.
I lvoe what you wrote, “We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God’s truth build us up. ” How we need to be refreshed daily, sometimes hourly in God’s promises. Thank you for your book and the encouraging devotionals. We serve an AWESOME God!
Donna
Talk about perfect timing…! I’ve been struggling with something and decided to journal during my prayer time this morning just to get to the root of what was causing my inner conflict. I kept drilling down until I got to the word “anger”. Oh, I do not like seeing that word on paper. I’m such a peace-loving, Jesus girl, I don’t like to see myself as harboring anger. But naming the issue and praying about it specifically has already given me an overwhelming sense of peace today. Reading your blog post and joining you on the porch was icing on the cake or divine confirmation, if you will, that I am on the right track. Thank you! 🙂
I am so excited to see your new book and try the 7 day doubt diet. As a grown woman, I am still surprised how self-doubt and low self-esteem can continue to hinder me. I love the Lord and believe all His promises – but sometimes it is still hard for me to accept His lavish and unfailing love – and to allow that to empower me daily. Thanks for delving into this issue of self doubt and giving us scripture to replace our negative thoughts.
Thank you for sharing. It is so helpful knowing I’m not alone in dealing with self-doubt. Can’t wait to read both books!
Thank you for introducing us to Ann. I battle with self-doubt. Admitting it does help. I know that I need to spend more time in His Word…finding the quiet time to do so is difficult..but I am going to start scheduling that time right now! Everything I have read via email/devotionals today has been on The Truth. Why is it so hard sometimes to simply just give it all to Him and stop relying on ourselves? Please pray for me to become a better example of relying on Him for my daughters.
Just like many of the others I am so glad i am not alone in these feelings as well! I signed up for th 7 day doubt diet, and it is amazing to me how the thoughts and feelings you share are so much like my own. I am even doing the questions….I never do the questions. I am thankful to have come across this book, I am going to name it. I got a feeling it is going to help me change alot of things!
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I love it when God brings darkness into the light. We may not know why we feel one way or another and (sometimes without realizing it), God opens the door to let the light shine in. It is a huge relief and I feel the weight lift off my shoulders. I have learned to trust Him so much more through this process and have become a much happier person. I have learned that no matter what, He is always with me and that is such a huge comfort.
God is always working behind the scenes. I have been going through a really tuff time, and now I know why I have been so depressed, so let down, so sad, so hurt. Renee your “7 Day Doubt Diet” has been a blessing. I am on day seven today and its sitting in my inbox unread because I dont want it to end. I have never written so much in a journal, you have moved me to figure things out and I am loving it. I sat with a friend last night and talked about what was going on with me, but I could’t name it. So reading this today and learning about Ann’s book “One Thousand Gifts” was another blessing in diguise. God is amazing on how he answers prayers through other people. Now I know that I need to name it and yes in my case its DOUBT. It’s been sitting in me nameless for so long and now I need to give it its name and bring light to it and heal. Answers keep coming and I am forever greatful that God used you beautiful ladies to help me and many other women out there going through the same things. God is for me!
Thank you so much Girls for sharing your thoughts for us and guiding us .Both these books look so good can’t wait to read them both and they are one’s I would like to read with our small Girl BIbleStudy.So very encourging and postive thoughts.Thank you both and hug’s your way ,we really do appreciate all your hard work and time you have put into the books so we can enjoy it through the books.Really want to read both books.
You both are wonderful. I have a lot of self-doubt and now that I have admitted it does that make it any easier. I am so confused on all of this. I probably wouldn’t have so much self doubt if something would work out for us. I am in a slump. I keep praying about it. No doors open. God has been ignoring me for 3 years now. I wonder how long I have to go on. I am so very blessed. And very thankful. But, there has to be more. I need a job. My husband needs a different job. If God loves me so much, why can’t a few doors open. I trust God. I am probably very impatient. But, I have had enough now. I need to pay my bills. Thanks for your words of wisdom. Nanci D
“If you name it, you can claim it…in the name of Jesus”. I heard that many times. A teacher also said often, as we studied through “Calm My Anxious Heart”, our leader would say “what does that look like.” when she was explaining a particular part of the lesson. She wanted it to be personal to us. Up until that time, I had not heard those expressions. This past year and half, a run away daughter, my cancer, now my husband is ill, I’ve leaned heavily into the Word of God. Have picked up a prayer book that helps me focus on His love and care for all of us. We are living out the story of The Prodigal Daughter”. Cancer led me into places I did not want to go, however, when I arrived at those various places, I found God’s preparation for what was coming. I found peace. I still struggle with why SO much at one time. One thing at a time, is easier to cope with. Our daughter was diagosed wih two rare disorders. I diagnosed her and found drs to treat her. I’m tired. Soul weary and think of the many people who deal with issues such as these by themselves. I have a loving husband but he too is worn out.
The only place I remain is in God’s arms; leaning into him deeply. As someone wrote, he cares for the sparrows, how much more he cares for me.
Thank you for your love and how you share it so freely.
Thank you for hearing me. kathryn
“When you don’t have a name for something, you’re haunted by shadows.” LOVED that part and is so true. I’ve been wanting this book, but haven’t bought it because I told myself NOT to buy any more books until I read the ones I have lol. So this would be so beautiful if I win a book and it’s signed by Ann!!!!
I can hardly wait to get home so I can listen to the conversation on the porch. I love talking on the porch, don’t you? It seems as if you can say anything, no matter how personal or troubling!
Thank you for all you do for us. Sue
Enjoyed the video. The cover of her book reminds me that God takes care of the birds of the air, He can take care of us too. I love the title of her book “One Thousand Gifts”.
For a long time I heard people tell me “focus on God” and had no clue what they meant, I thought I was focusing on God.
Unless you recognize what you are doing wrong or really understand where you are putting your focus you cannot correct it and replace it with God’s Word. ( leave the “I” of it.) It still takes work to keep from falling back into that rut, so I have to keep in God’s Word to help me through.
Surrender is giving up something so that God can take care of it and take care of us.
A stronghold is keeps us in sin and prevents us from growing in our relationship with God. It is not easy to give in and give up that which has hold on you. But God is stronger than anything that has it’s grip on us, that is why we must surrender to Him. God’s power is freedom without it you find yourself feeling depressed, unworthy and back into the pit.
Naming the shadows. Allowing Him to reveal what I have been afraid to open my eyes to. Trusting Him. Seeing His Goodness. Seeing Hope even while the enemy attacks. Knowing that Hope has a name too, Jesus! Feeding on His faithfulness like Psalm 37 says to do. Being rooted, grounded, and perfected IN Him. Dwelling IN Him. Walking IN Him. And, often, hiding IN Him. Knowing that all things were created for His glory—-and that includes me too! This is my journey. My story. My gift back to Him. He’s showing me I’m teachable. He has great things in store for each of us, and He knows how to get us there. Thank you both for being a part of my journey to the place He is leading me. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing the “porch conversation”. It was very enlightening to me especially given the fact that just a week ago my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Once the biopsy was done we then had a week to live with the “un-named dark shadow”. It is in a time like that when you learn to really lean into Jesus and anxiously await the “name” of the darkness and unrest you are living through. Even though we received the un-wanted name, we at least finally had the name to bring before the throne of God and place at the feet of Jesus. Once again, thank you for sharing this message.
I frequently deal with what feels like a mix of worry and fear. But now that you’ve opened my eyes to the idea of doubt, I’m hopeful that I’ll start seeing these feelings a different way, and maybe even name them, so I can overcome them.
Like so many have already commented here, I love the simple concept of naming the feeling. I was on vacation when you first emailed your 7 day doubt diet so I was unable to read it every day. I am now in the process of going back and reading the emails. I would absolutely love to win these two books. Thanks for offering this give away Renee. May God continue to bless you and the work you do in his name.
Giving “it” a name. Now there is something I can get on board with. Just this morning I was lying in bed and thinking about a fitness class I am starting in August. It’s for a college credit, and I don’t want to take it. It’s not that it’s a bad class, I am…….well lets name this…..Scared Intimidated Discouraged. We will call it SID for short. As I was lying there I thought well I could just drop the class and take it in the Spring then I would have more time to get in shape for it. Then your Doubt Diet, Renee, came to mind like a lightning bolt. There it is! The doubt was creping in, and throwing me all the reasons why I couldn’t do it. Then I stopped and said forget it…..I am doing this class! I will give it my all, and I will see great results through the help of God. Thanks Renee for your book, and now introducing me to “One Thousand Gifts”. I would love to win this set. This is His time for Me! Thanks!
I really appreciate your devotionals on Proverbs 31. It is such good advise to remember what the Lord says about us and to not to base our self worth on what “man” thinks. Looking forward to reading your book, “A Confident Heart” . I have read the 7 Day Doubt Diet and am going to refer to it in times of need. These readings have helped me as a mother of four daughters ages 15-24 to encourage me in my mothering skills and to encourage them as teens to women. It has also helped me in my leadership role and the daily challenges faced as a critical care nurse too.
Thank-you
Renee, thanks for sharing this post. I enjoy reading anything and everything that you post because it all seems so relevant to the phase of life I am in right now. I was dealt a particularly rough blow yesterday and Satan was working over-time to make sure that I didn’t recover any time soon. Lately, I’ve been reading your blogs, P31 daily devotionals, and working on an independent Bible study so that I can stay immersed in the Word, thus preparing myself to be a more effective tool to be used against Satan. Thank you for the inspiration that you bring to myself and so many others. God Bless!
I have had so much going on in my life lately that it was hard to focus on God. But as I started to set quietly and continue to Thank him for his many blessing each day and naming them one by one, I began to feel such a peace about life and it’s struggles. God knows just what we need every day. Thank you for sharing what God has shown you.
Wow! It’s amazing how God works with me to help me understand. A couple of weeks ago I was talking with my sister about everything that’s going on in my life. She asked me exactly what she needed to pray for, but I had no idea. I knew how I was feeling but couldn’t “name it”. Then the doubt diet was introduced! I haven’t exactly figured it out yet, but so excited that now I know to name it in order to have control over it!
Thank you for looking past your fears and doing what you have been lead to do! Through you, God has shown me how to fight the enemy & to put a name on everything good and bad.
Believing in Him, Kara
Thanks so much for these 7 days. It has been a huge awakening for me. I didn’t understand what I was dealing with until I started reading these daily devotions from you.
God Bless You!
I don’t think I knew I was struggling with self doubt. I don’t think I thought that doubting myself was something that I needed to correct, something that was keeping me from doing all God has for me to do. I don’t often doubt Him. But I doubt myself and in doing so, I am doubting His ability to overcome my obstacles to success. I just didn’t realize it. What an eye opening devotional!
I love Him so much. He is everything. His love, compassion, faithfulness, mercy, joy, light, hope, peace….fill my empty spaces. I am so empty without Him. And so humbled that He loves me and you. We know how undeserving we are.
I want to do and be all He has called me to do and be, to His glory…
Wow, The last few weeks of your posts have gently allowed Christ to pry open areas of my heart. Today Ann’s concept of naming things to dispel the haunting shadows is drawing more to His light. Thank you for you teaching in this.
I loved reading Ann’s blog a out love and patience. I thought her story was a beautiful reminder to be thankful for the moment in order to be patient.
I had a naming experience this week. It was not what I wanted it to be but now that I have named it I know exactly what to do with it and how to pray about it. Your devotion just put everything in perspective and really helped me understand what I am experiencing.
I can’t thank you enough for your knowledge and the work that you do to bring us closer to our God.
Blessings!!!
Thank you for sharing this. I had a child with ADHD, he is 21 now, but when he was four and I didn’t know why he was acting the way he was it was terrible. Then I saw a new program about kids with ADHD, I felt such relief that it had a name and it wasn’t just me being a terrible mother.