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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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Bible Gateway’s encouragement devotionals taken from ministries such as yours uplift me and guides me in my walk with God. Thank you for your obedience to God’s calling on your life!!!
Love your teaching Renee! <3
Renee, Oh how you spoke to me, and frankly, about me. I found this website just a couple of hours ago and when I read this I couldn’t believe my eyes. You did exactly what I do. You may never know the magnitude of how much your honesty about yourself has saved so many of us but let me say that I could never Thank You enough for opening my eyes with the answer to my problem. God Bless You Renee! I would love to have a copy of your book, ” A Confident Heart Devotional.”
Sincerely,
Stephanie Bennett
Good morning and happy Wednesday everyone,
I really enjoyed the devotional . Thank you Renee. Around the time I read the Confident Heart I was really low in my spiritual life. I felt like God didn’t love me nor did he care to answer my prayers . At the same time my relationship of many years was falling apart, but that’s when I found out about the Proberbs 31 bible study using the Confident Heart which helped me realize I was looking in all the wrong places for love. I am still a work in progress but since then I have gained so much confidence in the plans God has for me and I trust he will work in my favorite . I love how God tells us if we put ” of hope in God we will not be disappointed”. Winning this devotional will help me continue my journey with God! Thank you. Have a great day everyone
As a single again mom of two, I find myself thinking that a husband would solve all my problems: my loneliness,fears,longing for companionship. Thank you for the reminder that the deep longings of my heart can only be satisfied by the love of the Savior, because only He can love me completely. This is something I know I need to work on; changing my response to my longings from frustration and sadness to a crying out to Jesus and a thankful heart that He delights to satisfy the longings of my heart. God bless!!!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Each day I am reminded that only God can fill any void I have thank you JESUS
It has taken me a lifetime of 37 years, a failed marriage and losing my children for several years to learn that Jesus is truly the only one who can fill my heart with unfailing love. I cannot imagine my life now without my daily walk with my Savior and Best Friend. He is enough.
I feel immensely blessed to know that I am loved unconditionally by my Lord and Savior. My heart aches for those trying to find acceptance from the world, and I so want to share with the wonderful women in my life, that that only the Lord can fill that God-shaped hole deep within us. Breathing in His unconditional presence and deep love for us daily, gives us the peace and heavenly desire to help others know their beauty in Him. At 53, I have finally come to realize all the traps of this world, that will try to seize our feelings of worthiness and beauty. When we fill up with nourishment from God’s Word daily, our thoughts align with His about our value and purpose for this earthly life. Oh, to help women and girls see their beauty to Him alone! Lord, make be a reflection of your light, that others may see you are the one who created beauty in everything your hand has touched. Thank you for these strong Proverbs 31 Women, who take your light and strength and are led by the Spirit to help them see, that you alone are what makes beauty and defines it in this world and eternity.
Sometimes, I don’t think I realize I’m seeking fulfillment elsewhere until I’m reminded by reading something like this… thanks for that! Either book would be amazing – the devotional for me or the other for my single daughter!
Thanks for the devotion. It is helping me during a time
when I am facing several challenges and reminding me
that God’s unconditional love will carry me through.
I have experienced Renee’s story too many times and even in my marriage now I struggle with disappointment that my husband doesn’t love me the way I think he should. I need retraining and would love a copy of A Confident Heart devotional.
This devotional has helped me realize that some of the tension in my marriage probably results from my expectation that my husband fulfill me in ways that only God can. I do need God to satisfy me with His unfailing love. I’d love a copy of Confident Heart Devotional.
“God gave us a desire for unfailing love because He knew it would lead us back to Him.” Never thought of these unfulfilled desires we have as being part of a specific purpose in His plan. Thank you for sharing this thought.
In order to live, to be, to do all that God has created us for we must have and give unconditional love to all. To do His purpose and will for our lives we must fill our hearts with unconditional love. For we are all made in His image. God holds nothing against us and that was proven at thd cross when His son Jesus Christ was sacrificed for us, what unconditional love.
This really touched me. It was like God told you what I needed today. I am struggling with this issue. I feel alone and can’t undrestand why my husband don’t have or show the same love for me that I have for him. Maybe I am over loving him. This helped me to realize that GOD’s love is the only love I really need and that it is unconditional. Please pray that I can practice unconditional love.
I am praying for you to accept His unconditional love so that you may practice unconditional love. I will share with you that yesterday I had to pray and ask God to bless me to break the expectations that I have for my husband and to ACCEPT him where he is at right now. I pray the same for you.
I have always known that God exists and that He loves me. But about 10 years ago I started to begin to understand exactly what you describe here in today’s devotional. I am still on that journey to understanding God’s Agape Love for me. Thank you for sharing your heart! Blessings! 🙂
I know His love is unconditional, but in John 15 Jesus talks about He is the vine and we are the branches then goes on to say thoes who are not producing fruit will be cut off and thrown in the fire. My commentary says Christians who make a superficial commitment arent truly saved. My confusion and question is we dont earn His love, but if we are not active in our faith or going the wrong direction it can be lost?
Sad but true . . . I thought I was perfectly fine and fulfilled in my relationship with Jesus and my husband. When my husband died of cancer, a panic came over me one day. Who would ever want to love me and my five children? God gently walked with me through the grieving, anger, rejection and comforted me. He reminded me He would never leave me not forsake me. That verse has been, and will keep bringing me closer, and more intimate with the Saviour. Now I can courageously say, He is my Husband. Thanks for your encouraging words today reminding me yet again, my fulfillment is found in Him alone.
Thanks for sharing, such a great reminder of who our love comes from.
I know God loves me unconditionally but I still struggle with it being enough, especially in the midst of figuring things out with my boyfriend. Your book has been an eye opener and I see it being my go-to when I start doubting myself. My life has been changed because of this book. Thank you.
I would love the devotional Or the Chapman book.