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 am really enjoying the 7-Day Doubt Diet. I have struggled with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt for a long time.
God is slowly and surely opening a pathway of hope and healing for me. I am very grateful for your openness and instruction. Thank you and God Bless all at Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Wow, both of my favorite authors/bloggers at the same time! Praise God! I have been reading Ann’s web page for some time, have just purchased the book (yesterday) but havenot started my list of 1000 things to be thankful for yet. Wan’t to read the book first. Waiting on your book to arrive in the mail Renee and I know it is ownderful. Thank you Lord for both of you. You change lives! Starting to teach a Ladies Worship Class in the fall and would love to use either of these books. Again, thank you for all you do through Jesus name!
As I read your devotionals in the morning, and it seems sometimes that I am reading about myself. I have been suffering from this doubt and insecurity problem from I was a teen and still in adulthood. When you invite me to the 7 Day Doubt-Diet I had to sign up and it was indeed a blessing from God, I was able to speak to every situation each day I read. Each time I am to do something I heard the doubt voice whisper every negative things possible and I believe because I did not believe in myself either.I want to do so much for Christ but still suffer from fear and doubt but I must say I am very happy for your devotionals and the 7 day Doubt Diet, I would really love to gwet a copy of your book and Ann’s also.
My husband dont believed in me either and that can be so hurtful. It has been only one year and four months since I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour, so I really could use your help in getting to where God want me.
Thank you again and may God continue to use you to empower women all across the world
Lorna, Jamaica, W.I
I am so amazed at the timeliness of this coming these past weeks and then again today. I am incredibly blessed that God is so involved in my life that He has brought these things to pass… how many years ago did He start working to bring you and these books and the conversations and friends, and their lives all together, right now, to encourage, help me to grow and see me through. Thank you for being a part.
I just read the first part of your devotion. I knew I struggled with certain things, but to put a name to it, and to understand the doubt analysis, made a big difference. It was as if you were in my mind, repeating what I hear on a regular basis. Somehow, doubt slips under the radar and unites with our own perception, making it feel like our own. Thank you for sharing on this topic.
As I read your blog and watch the video I sit here thinking what perfect sense it all makes. I know that doubt and insecurity are life-long struggles of mine, but I have never identified my ‘struggle’ as self-doubt before. And I just wonder…how did these ladies get so smart!? I have high hopes that perhaps your book will bring me some of this wisdom!
I am a pastor’s wife, and currently leading a women’s bible study from P31. I have been so encouraged by your daily devotionals and have shared many of the thoughts from them with my group! Thank you for sharing them with us! Also, a friend of mine who is a young mom like myself, just told me about One Thousand Gifts, and how much she is enjoying it. God truly does inhabit the praise of his people, and focusing on our blessings, and His goodness is so vital in the Christian life!
LOVE the new look of your site!!! Enjoyed watching the video of your chat with Ann on the front porch and thank you for the chance to win a copy of her book and yours!
Thank you for sharing your conversation. I read the first chapter of your book and knew I would need to place an order. Amazing how the Lord directs us when we go to Him. I have been blessed to know. The shadow of doubt can affect anyone and am so thankful to learn about naming some of the others.
Thanks for sharing and for your tranparancy!
I have heard so many wonderful things about One Thousand Gifts and would love to read it soon! Your book sounds just as great! So blessed by the Proverbs 31 devotionals I receive every day. Thank you!!
God Bless you both for your wonderful encouragement for a woman’s heart! It would be a blessing to win and use for the encouragement to help others!
The words in your 7 day doubt diet have opened my heart and mind to the doubts I deal with each day. Would be so honored to read your new book as well One Thousand Gifts. Thank you for your words of encouragement! God’s blessings to you, and the staff at Proverbs 31. sue
Thank God for a girl like you full of wisdom and truth on issues I really struggle with. I will be praying for you, Ann and both of your books to help many who struggle with these doubt issues. I am grateful.
Love
Julie
Hi Renee,
Thank you so much for sharing in your story that you have suffered with depression. The overwhelming sense of doom that i wake up with some mornings is so defeating. And I sometimes think that if i had enough faith…. if my faith were stronger… etc …. I would not feel this way. So i appreciate your honesty and it gives me hope to see how God is working in your life.
I LOVE the first chapter of your book. I have such fear that I can never change in certain areas of my life. I have almost given up hope. “Almost” is the crucial word here. Your book gives me hope to keep seeking God no matter how many thousands of time i have failed Him in this area.
I look forward to reading your book. And I am praying for a miracle . I am praying that God will provide a way and the strength for me to defeat this “demon” that haunts me daily and that He will bring healing to my soul.
I would love to read both these books.
Thank you,
martha
Diligently seeking God today , just waiting for direction. Both books look great! Would love to win!
I am 56 yrs old and i have never come across someone to hit the nail on the head on whats going on with me.
It’s hard to share how i feel because everything you talk about in your book pretains to me. I took the analysis test and i am at the bottom all of this is weighing me down. I feld you and i were having a conversation about me, i belong to a ministry in my church and it so hard for me to function, i have not left my ministry because i don’t want to diaspoint my pastors, and God.
Im taking the 7 day doubt diet and it could not come in a better time in my life. Because i am going through so many issues. Thank you God bless!!
Renee,
The devotional was like you were talking directly to me, like we were having a personal conversation. I’m in a similar place, feeling like I’m called to a women’s speaking ministry – but having so much self doubt. The books sound like they would touch on many issues that I am dealing with and I have several friends that are in need of the same type of healing.
May the Lord bless you!
Carol
Renee,
Today is my first day, again. I got it the first day and self doubted right then. Couldnt bring myself to open it. Then when I did, couldnt bring myself to read like I needed it. Yesterday, I read the Intro & Ch.1. Today, Devo Day 1. It is very difficult for me and I truly dont know why I cant let go. Even though I know that it started when I was just a small child, I dont understand why I cant shake it. I encourage others like you wouldnt believe and yet I am the one who hides out in secret because of my own insecurities. The truth is that I have always felt unwanted and unseen. I was ignored alot growing up so I always did things to get my family’s attention. When I wasnt being ignored, I was critisized for one reason or another. My compensation for that was to become an over achiever. When that started waining, I added lies to make it look better. As you know, none of those things lasted or made it better, only worse. I never developed real friendships or truly meaningful relationships til I got married and had children (kids came first). For the past few years I have been trying to get rid of all this junk. It feels like someone is digging into my heart with a rusted spoon. Just reading this chapter is so hurtful for me. I did the analysis and I was on the highest end of the spectrum. Crazy, because in my line of work, thats what I do all day, every day–is encourage others to do better and see how special they are. You cant imagine the pain I feel when I cant believe for me. Im praying that God will free me. I reallly need to get free. I really want to know what it feels like to be free from all this stuff. Stuff that until today, I thought I was protecting myself from being hurt, not keeping me from things. Please pray for me on this journey.
I loved todays devotional from Proverbs 31 and would love to read these books. 🙂