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“What a [woman] desires is unfailing love …” Proverbs 19:22a (NIV)
I had everything I wanted yet felt empty and confused.
My life was full of relationships and accomplishments I’d worked hard to gain, but none could fill or fulfill me.
Frustrated by my aching emptiness, tears streamed down my face as I thought about the guy I dated through high school and college. Our future plans had crumbled under the pressure of me expecting him to be all I needed.
I had been crazy about him — a little too crazy.
Like the time a friend mentioned my ex-boyfriend was heading to our hometown for the weekend. We worked near each other, so Friday afternoon I parked by his office and waited for him to leave.
We both “happened” to be at the same fast food restaurant, at the same time and bumped into each other. After getting my order, I got in my car and followed behind him, hoping he’d see me, realize he couldn’t live without me and signal to pull over so we could talk.
Seriously, what was I thinking? As you can guess, he never stopped. I was hopeless and humiliated…
A few weeks later, I was taking a walk around my college campus. My eyes drifted to the buildings, dorms and other landmarks of memories. Suddenly my mind filled with a collage of faces, reminding me of my efforts to win the approval of advisors, friends and professors — hoping their affirmation could fill my emptiness.
Although I was graduating soon, had a few great job offers and achieved success in many ways, my heart still felt restless. And I couldn’t help but wonder: Why was all that I had never enough?
A thought rushed through my soul, stringing together two words I had never put next to each other. I sensed God answering me.
Renee, all you have ever wanted is unconditional love.
Unconditional love? I didn’t know there was such a thing. Then God whispered into my soul: You’ll never find the love you long for in anyone or anything but Me. I AM the unconditional love you’re looking for.
The thought of God loving me without any conditions was inconceivable, yet something deep in my soul told me it was true. I’d been looking for love that didn’t have to be earned. Love I didn’t have to fear losing.
Honestly, it was hard to see how God’s love could fill the emptiness in my heart. It took time, but I came to understand that God created me with that need for fulfillment so He could meet it.
Proverbs 19:22a, says, “What a person desires is unfailing love.”
The word “desire” comes from the Hebrew word ta’avah, which means: to greatly long for, deeply desire or crave. Interestingly, unfailing love is mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, and not once is it in reference to a person. It is only attributed to God.
Could it be that God gave us a desire for unfailing love, because He knew it could lead us back to Him?
If today’s post resonated with you, I hope you’ll ENTER TO WIN (This giveaway has ended, but I’d still love to hear from you!)
a copy of my new Confident Heart Devotional. I truly believe the stories and truths in it will change your life {like they have mine}!
Based on honest struggles we all have with comparison, self-doubt, fear of failing, and the life-changing lessons God’s taught me and ten other women, {whose stories are in the book} you will discover how to change the way you feel by changing the way you think – which will transform the way you live!
Expanding on what readers of my first book LOVED most: “When I say … God says …” statements, I’ve written 60 new devotions and new {WISGS} statements to equip you with a new a thought map and a promise – to live in every day!
ENTER TO WIN (This giveaway has ended, but I’d still love to hear from you!)
Share your thoughts in the comments below to WIN one of 5 copies of my A Confident Heart Devotional or a copy of The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition for you or a friend. Be sure to let us know which book you’d like to win!
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I enjoyed going to your webiste. I leave comments rarely, but
you definately deserve a thumbs up!
Thank you for being so honest.Either book would be great,
I’ve struggled with these same issues and would love to read your book!! Thank you for the chance to win!
I hope to win the devotional and experience more of this touching writing.
although i believe this is true – God does love us unconditionally, I struggle to believe it daily. and at times i feel like such a hypocrite teaching my children the love that God has for us when i question it for myself. i often look at my downfalls & shortcomings and think “If i can just change —— about me then I would be more able to be loved”. thank you for this reminder that God really does have unconditional love for us. me too.
The message today has reminded me to look at the positives in me and how God sees me. I have been working really hard on growing closer to The Lord but it seems like I have been losing relationships. I have been questioning myself over and over trying to figure out what I may be doing wrong and searching myself to see what I did or said. I now feel like I need to let God show me if he really intends those people to be in my life at this particular time and if so allow Him to reveal those things to me he would have me to know. There might not be anything that I have done. It may be time for me to just focus on my true relationship with him and be accepting of the other women of God in my life. Thank you for that message
I have always struggled with the thought of God loving me unconditional. My dad was abusive and I was never good enough for anything. I long to feel that unconditional love and not feel so broke. Thank you for your encouragement. Even if I don’t get to win your book I’m going to get one soon. Thank you again.
I’ve been a Christian by name for years but I’ve been a Christian by relationship within the past year. I search desperately for anything that can bring me closer to the Lord or make God even more real. Since I get so much from the devotionals, I’d love to have a copy of the book.
Exactly what I have been struggling with, again, recently. It is too easy for me to slip back into living performance based, looking for love and approval to satisfy me in this world. Thank you for this devotional this morning 🙂
I don’t have an incredible story or something to Ooh or Aw at. In fact, mine is quite simple, I have Christ in my heart and have for three years now. I know His love is unconditional love and I am meant to fine that in Him and Him alone, but as a teenager, or a human being for that matter, I fail, daily. All my life I strived for perfection much like your story. Always afraid of disappointing anyone because then I couldn’t possibly make them proud of me, which would lead to their unhappiness, which meant I wouldn’t deserve their love anymore. That has been my mind set up until just a few months ago, and even though I know the truth that I shouldn’t have to earn their love and I should seek it in Christ, it doesn’t mean, again, I don’t slip up. I do slip up, constantly, and fall back into that mind set of my crazy humanistic ways. I know that your devotional would help out so much in the fact that it would be even more of a daily reminder of my worth in Christ and where I should search for the unfailing love he offers to me everyday. I would greatly appreciate a copy of one of your devotionals to help with my daily walk with God! Thank you for your time!
I hope to win a free copy of this book. My life has been full of disappointing relationships. I would love to read The Confident Heart Devotional. I am hoping your words and Jesus’s love can mend my broken heart and soul.
I am a mother of 4 children, 19, 16,12 and a 7 year old. My 12 yr old has Autism. I have struggled with this for so long. Struggled with God, I know he loves me but it seems like such a life sentence. Because of her Autism I returned to school and became an Oncology RN with the support of my wonderful husband and mother. She has changed every aspect of our lives, from going to church, to going the store. I know there is a plan and God has a huge one for our family. I get tired, frustrated and angry. I want to have a Confident Heart all the time, not sometimes, not often, all the time. I want be the hands and feet of Jesus. I would love and appreciate the Confident Heart. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I woud love to win the Confident Heart devotional. I was in an abusive marriage for 40+ years. I would like to think there is help for me. I am a born again Christian and know God has a plan for me that is better than mine.I feel God has directed me to this website. I have no cofidence or self worth I don’t know how to Love or be loved. I really need help. This book sounds great and I would like to read it and study it. Thank You
I loved your book, and I would love to win The Confident Heart Devotional. It is about time for me to go through the book again. I find that I pick up on different things, each time I read it. At 51, I still find I need to learn to have a Confident Heart, and to remember God’s truths.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Linda
This post really spoke to my heart. I struggle with wanting other people to fill that place of need in my heart.