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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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As a stay at home mom of 3 under 3, and one of them terminally I’ll, I am constantly seeking acceptance. Trying to figure out where I fit and how to be me. I have always looked for approval but it seems worse with a sick child and not working, as if I have lost myself… I would lovethe ddevotional.
Honestly, I puzzle over this every single day. I want love, I want affirmation and I seek it–embarrassingly so. I don’t feel love but I know it is there. I am told it is because I was abused and I have shut it out and I don’t allow myself to feel. I can’t talk at church or at small group because I am embarrassed to say to a bunch of God loving women, that I don’t feel love for God. Nothing. Empty. All I can say is reading and listening brings me peace. I have your book and many others, but I am at a loss to finding the key to cracking the love code.
At what point are we shifting our focus from God to someone/something else? Is it wrong that I want my husband to notice me? Tell me I’m pretty? Currently reading the book. Would love the devotional.
I have read your book Confident Heart and loved it. Would love to win the devotional. Thank you so much for your ministry to me and other women! Blessings to you.
I have struggled all my life feeling like I was missing something. I married young after a horrible childhood & looked to him to save me & fulfill every need I had. I later learned the pressure this put him under & he left after 15 yrs & 3 kids. I was lost. I began to find my true Father & Savior. I have faltered, lost sight, & yet God has still been there waiting for me to find my way back. My ex husband & I have been in the process of reconciliation now for 3 years, trying to learn from our mistakes. I still struggle, but the daily devotions & books like The 5 Love Languages have helped me keep on track & want to know that love only God can give.
God is love, He loves us like no other can.
I stand and look out of my window, dazing up to the heavens.
I talk to our Father God and ask Him am I going to live the rest of my life alone?
Are You going to send someone special my way to love me?
Then I stop with my eyes close and cry out, Thank You Father God for loving me.
You loved me when You created and knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I am never alone, God is there when I wake up in the mornings.
He is there when I lay my head down to rest at night, He sends His only Son to
Whisper into my ear each night to sing me a soft tune.
He understands me, listens to me and feeds me His awesome word.
What more could I ask for? I have a Father who is always carrying me all the way.
He will never leaving me, and one day I will see Him face to face.
To give Him the most biggest {{{{HUG}}}}}} and Thank Him for always being in my life.
I have always seemed to need another’s approval and have been driven to do what was necessary to obtain it. I always try to say or do the right things. I never grew up in a home with unconditional love, it was very conditional and still is, even though I am now an adult. I still struggle to find the favor of my parents and siblings. Unfortunately, I feel that I have passed this trait onto my children, my eldest in particular. I would love to win this book and for us all to be able to let go of these worldly desires and trust in God more. Thanks!
I love your teaching. Either book would be great. A confident heart would be my first choice.
I started reading A Confident Heart but have gotten busy & haven’t read it for awhile. This devotional reminded me how much I need to continue reading it. I would love to win the devotional book. Thank you for a chance.
Hi, I signed up for “A Confident Heart” online study at proverbs 31 as recommended by a friend. The book is amazing and perfect for where I am at in my journey as a wife, mother, teacher and daughter of the king. It is a book I have reread sections of and dream of having a weekend to myself to go through it on my own and then share with close friends. I would LOVE to win the devotional!
I recently read The Confident Heart & LOVED the insight that you shared! There were so many times reading the book that I felt you must have looked into my soul! I would LOVE to have a copy of the devotional to continue the affirmation & the value that I felt your book “gave back to me” by sharing God’s truth.
I stumbled across this page on my fb feed and it’s just how I was feeling today! Thankful for resources online to all God to speak to you. I would love a copy of your devotional!
These books would be a great read!I have struggled with unconditional love all my life.Thank you for the article read it touched my heart!
I am so touched by what I have read so far and would love to own her book. I have been looking for a good devotional and have not found one that spoke to me until Renee’s.
I have read A Confident Heart twice and have given it to friends going through hard times. I would love to have the devotional. Thank you for your godly wisdom and gift of ministering to women. You are a blessing!
Would love to check out your books!!
I would like the 5 languages of love. When i feel no one else loves me I know God does no matter what. I want to be what He wants me to be, but I know He cant love me any more and wont love me any less.
Exactly what I needed to read today.
Thank you for sharing your experience in this devotional. It seemed written for me today. I would love to win a copy of the Confident Heart devotional!
Loved this devotion and it really got hime for the particular path that I am on right now!! Thank you so much!!!