I’ve got 10 MORE BOOK GIVEAWAYS this month!
To find out when I have a giveaway, sign up in my sidebar where it says “Receive Email Updates.”
“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!
Unconditional Love is something I have been searching for my entire life. I sought it first from my parents, then when I got married from my husband. Then I looked for it from my children and from close friends. I am learning now that only my God can give me unconditional love. It is still hard for me to understand how he could love me that much…..
Renee, I would love to win your book. I have three daughters in their 40s and one daughter-in-love who is also in her 40s. They are the mothers of my 12 wonderful grandchildren. I love to send them books from various authors to help keep their faith alive and strong. Thank you for offering your friends a chance to win your book.
Lois Tanner
Loved the book, can’t wait to see the devotional.
I took the Proverbs 31 OBS, and through this OBS, my husband lost his job! The lady he worked for for almost 20 years went home one day after work and had a heart attack and past away! Boy you talk about worry, stress, anxiety setting in, I was experiencing it all! Well I decided to put to use what I was learning from The Confident Heart Bible Study! So I started saying I know who I am, I am a child of the one try king! I have a confident heart through Jesus Christ and no one or no situation can keep me from the love of God! You see if he be for me, what can come against me! My favorite was, He goes before me and He follows behind me! So I am the inside of a God sandwich! What do I have to fear, cause my God didn’t give me the spirit of fear but of love power and peace! Well to make the long story short, my husband went to her memorial to find out that the family had decided to give my husband all the equipment and the customer list to the business! Yes my God just handed the company over to my husband! WOW!! This is what your book and that OBS taught me! We have to stay confident in Christ at all times! Even when the circumstances seem hopeless, God is there working everything to our good! So if I’m chosen, I defiantly want the Confident Heart Devotional! I tried to win it several times during the bible study and came up empty handed, but not empty heart! Thank You Renee, you are truly an inspiration and blessing!
It is a great reminder that only God can fill those empty places, not another human being! I would love the devotional of a confident heart.
I would love to when the 60 day devotional of a confident heart. I just finished the confident heart Bible study and I am still learning and trying to accept Who I am in Christ. The gift and the unconditional love God has for me in Christ Jesus. This devotional would help me on my journey. I can feel God talking and the Holy Spirit working with me.
It hit me right in the gut. I’ve been struggling to feel satisfied. Everything is good or great at home, at work, at church – I just want more and I don’t know why. Or maybe I do – maybe I just want their approval and love.
I have read your book, A confident Heart, and really enjoyed it. The devotional book sounds interesting to have a daily reminder available at your fingertips.
Great devotional. Please sign me up to win your Confident Heart Devotional.
Thank you.
Thank you Jesus for your unfailing love. Today’s devotional is a good reminder that only Jesus can love on us like He can and like we need. Our worth is found Him. Sometimes we look to man (patricularly our husbands) and we’re disappointed when we don’t seem to get the “love” we “need”. We should never loose sight of that amazing truth of God’s unfailing, amazing, unconditional love. Oh how I love Him.
As always your devotion touched my heart. So many been there done that experiences are shared among so many of us. Would love the devotion book; it will make a perfect companion to your A Confident Heart book that I already have.
Thank you Renee for the link!
I love reading all of your devotionals along with the other writers from Proverbs 31 Ministry. They hit at the heart of life issues. They are great mirrors to face and take a hard look into one’s heart and soul. I use these for my own transformation work by God’s Spirit to mold me to be more like him. I also pass these devotionals along to women I am ministering too! They really speak to the heart of the matter. Great tools of teaching, rebuking, correcting and training unto righteousness. Thank you for showing your heart and weaknesses, so we all can respond in a biblical manner.
I almost forgot.. hope everyone has a blessed day!!
Thanks for your word for today on unconditional love. Too often we find ourselves looking to people or things to fill us and it’s interesting to note that only God can fill us. His unconditional love for us is shown in that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. I’m really grateful for your text and hope to win a copy of your devotional or will have to get myself a copy either way.
Today’s devotional regarding unconditional love really spoke to me.. For years I have been trying to win the approval or love of my 2 sisters in law.. Something has happened over the years to wedge a wall between us.. Living in West Texas has helped me to process this but again, something has been missing until I read the devotional this morning.. It was an “a Hah” moment for me!! I have tried to get them to notice me for years.. emails.. cards.. phone calls.. as you so well put it.. humiliating.. Thru my insecurity, I was looking for unconditional love.. and today.. realized God is the only one who can give us a sense of Unfailing love!! If this devotional is anywhere near what is in your confident heart devotional, I hope God will bless me with this book.
I know I still look to my husband and others to meet my emotional needs, but I’m working on it and making it a priority this year. I recently purchased the book from Lifeway when it was on sale a week ago, so the devotional to go with it would be wonderful! God has definitely given you insight in this area and thank you for sharing it!
Would love the devotional book…still dealing with the question I asked Him whenI did the Confidence Heart study “when, how and why did I throw my confidence away?” Hebrews 10:35-36 has comforted, encouraged, challenged me…thanks sisters for sharing your journey:)sandyT
I am just begining my walk with Christ. I’m just begining to learn of the Lord’s unconditional love for me. It humbles my heart to even try to imagine the love it took for God to send his only son to die on a cross for me. I see my own son and I can’t even being to imagine feeding him to the wolves knowing he would suffer and die for the benefit of another. I am so unimaginably grateful for the unconditional love of our King and redeemer. I would love a copy of A Confident Heart Devotional. Even if I don’t “win” one, I’ll be making this purchase on my own.
Would love a copy of the Confident Heart devotional – The book sounds great and that I could benefit from it – will be searching the net for that .
I find that even as I grow older I still have many struggles. The devotional sounds wonderful!
As I am still learning to be single again after divorce, I faithfully read my Proverbs 31 emails. I appreciate the time and energy and love that you ladies put into inboxes daily. I hope to win The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition as I am struggling with the basics and cannot afford luxuries at this time. With God’s help, I will continue to learn and grow.
I remember with sadness how I often reached out for love in all the wrong places because I simply did not understand God’s unconditional love for me (and having a bad parental relationship did not help). Everyone else had a price, and I paid it in more ways than one. I am so glad that our Lord is so faithful. It took me many, many years to get there, but I do trust in my God. My Abba Father.
I recently purchased a copy of “A Confident Heart” and upon reading the first few pages thought it wasnt the book for me. I always felt that confidence was not an issue for me as my parents have instilled a strong sense of self in all of us. So, determined to stick it out until the end, I continued to read only to discover that my confidence wasn’t all that great after all. Not only had I not entrusted God with my children, marriage, and job, I relied on all those things to fill and fulfill me. Needless to say, I could hardly put the book down as you were sitting in my living room telling me all about myself. Now I know that God is the only one who gives me the confidence and courage to wither all of life’s storms, great and small. And through His word which embraces my heart and strengthens my soul, I can and will fight the good fight. I stand on His promises and continually find refuge in Him.
I do not have your devotional but would love to win one. I love the Confident Heart and have passed it to others. I plan to start back over the book again and the devotional would be great too.
Thank you for sharing God’s love
For years I struggled to find that unfailing, unconditional love….. Like the stories I’ve seen, I did desperate things with a desperate motive to latch on to what seemed so elusive. Finally, I realized it was only in His arms I would find what I sought. I jumped in and held on tight. Soon after, God blessed me with flesh that would fulfill His love in a fresh new way. My daughter now struggles, I would love to share a copy of the book with her……
thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this morning’s devotional by you that I receive in my email from Prov. 31 ministries. I would love to win a copy of A Confident Heart. I have no doubt that it will contain many truths that the Lord would want to show me.
I feel like I am entering a new season in my life and would love a copy of the book!
Thank you for the beautiful devotion today. It is a good reminder of Christ’s unconditional love for me. The following verse from scripture comes to mind.
We love him, because he first loved us. I John 4:19 KJV
As a single person, I appreciate the fact that you are offering something for single people. Thank you.
I would love to win a copy of the devotional. I’ve been dealing with depression and really coming to a relationship with Christ has been instrumental in my healing. Understanding and trusting God’s love is still a struggle but a real blessing when I can get a good hold on it. Thank you for this post today.
I would love to be blessed with a copy of your book “A Confident Heart”. God is currently working on getting me into action and see His action in my life. I am learning how, as I seek to see His will and direction in my life, to become more bold, daring and courageous to make my life a living testimony. Thank you for your words today, as they are a reminder that only our Father God can love us wholly, completely and truly unconditionally. God Bless!
I would really love to win a copy of “The Confident Heart” Devotional. I really have enjoyed all the excerpts that I have read so far. Thank you for the oppertunity.
Thank you for your devotion. I went from one relationships to another searching for someone to love me for me. I was never satisfied. Never could find that special person or things that I could love & be content with it. Until I was faced with being homeless & having a child who was disabled & in a wheelchair that I needed something real & the only thing or only one I hadn’t put my trust & love into was Jesus. So I sat on my couch that night & I prayed & I cried out to Jesus. I gave him my all that night. I turned everything over to him & I felt a love that I still can’t explain even today. I felt the load that I had been carrying for years being lifted off of my shoulders. I knew that night that I had finally find the love that I had been searching for. I thank Jesus every day & night for showing me that love everyday, no matter what I’m going through I know He is beside me loving me. Today, because of the love of my God, I’m living in a 3 bedroom house, my son is no longer in a wheelchair & I wake up everyday thanking God for everything He had brought me through.
I still find myself battling the lack of fulfillment that is only found in God. I know Him, I worship Him, I love Him….but I still don’t fully understand the allowing Him to fulfill me. I’m a bit of a control freak so it’s difficult for me to understand that anyone else can fully take care of something in me. I want to freely give to Him like this. I pray for this understanding.
Both taken aback and amazed !
I finished the book “A Confident Heart” and gave it to a friend of mine. This book was a blessing to me as I know it will be a blessing to my friend. I would love to win the devotional book as I grow stronger and closer to God.
I enjoyed this part of ACH book and it was a nice refresher to remember that HE is all I need. Your book, Renee, truly gave me some amazing tools to have the confident heart that God so wants us to have…it’s how He made us afterall. I refer back to ACH often and am grateful for it. Thank you for your insight, honesty and encouragement. I have had your devotion on my list…it seems like it would be a great tag along to your book!
This devotional this morning really hit home. Unconditional love has always escaped me. And I always felt that unconditional love was just a dream. But knowing God could ever love me any other way than unconditionally is so comforting. I would love to be entered into the drawing to win The 5 Love Languages: Singles Edition.
Is this how I enter to win. I have really enjoyed the book, it helped me accept Gods love and not be miserable when I did not recieve it from people. I would LOVE the devotional.
I started dating in high school and after I ended my first relationship after 3 1/2 years I always felt the need to be dating. I hated not having a boyfriend because then I wasn’t being loved. I had this ache to always be with a guy even if I knew deep down he was not the guy I would marry. Took me a very long time to change my ways. I am now married to a wonderful man who I love dearly but I know now that God is the only person who can truly make that need to be loved go away. I am taking classes at my church to deepen my faith and I am trying every day to be a better teacher to my children so that they may grow to understand just how deeply God’s love for us really is.
Thanks. This part blessed me “had this ache to always be with a guy even if I knew deep down he was not the guy I would marry.”…”I know now that God is the only person who can truly make that need to be loved go away.” Perfect timing Katie- thank you.
I was the same way!! It’s a long road…and I look forward to a marriage, like yours, someday. A marriage that I don’t “need”. A man who loves and pursues Jesus like I do.
Well, actually, this was so timely because I’m not married yet. Advice like this is golden 🙂
I am currently playing “catch-up” on the Confident Heart OBS and I started reading the latest chapter and it was like I had written the words myself. I have been struggling with what my DREAM is and what God’s calling for me is. I am looking forward to digging in deeper to learn more about myself and God’s plan for me. With that said, I really couldn’t decide which book I would like more. . . with our second child due any day I feel like the Love Languages book could really help my husband and I stay connected during a crazy time of transition, sleepless nights and finding a new family balance. Thank you for offering two great options! 🙂
I would so look forward to reading The Five Love Languages. I am just about finished with The Confident Heart (tomorrow is my last day!!!!!!! So sad, but so happy). I went looking for The Confident Heart because I was going through a tough break-up. My faith in God has always been there, but I seem to go to Him most when I’m troubled. I thought I wouldn’t be able to move forward…but reading a Confident Heart helped me see that I only need God. I’m in a much better place! I still have work to do on myself, but I can only move forward from here…. Renee, I thank you for every 🙂
*everything
I would love to win a confident heart devotional book
Your book A Confident Heart truly blessed me when I was apart of Melissa Taylor’s online Bible Study. I’m really excited that you have a devotional to go with it.
Thank you for this devotional today and the scripture! I started out this day singing the praises of the Lord, really believing on him. As my continued on I ran into a road block of disappointment. As usual the enemy loves to drop these bricks on my daily path like clock work to disrupt my closeness with the Lord. I am reminded by this Psalm that the love and satisfaction I find in the Lord is always present, not just in the morning, but even in the afternoon when I am struggling with a disappointment, even in the evening when the chaos of family life in full swing, even in the night when my mind wanders into the valley of fear. I must choose to live God’s unfailing love. Receive it and share it, praising him for every day.
For years now, I have struggled with low self esteem, to the point of passing it on to my children. I would love to win “A Confident Heart” to do as a family devotional with my children. Thank you so much for being an encouragement!
“Because scripture tells us clearly that God is Love (1 John 4:8), we know that God, by very nature, is relational. Love is an action, emotion, state, and characteristic that requires interaction with another being. Love does not exist alone. Scripture also tells us that we have been created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). We were created to love Him in return, though loving Him will never be forced upon us because love isn’t selfish.” From my own page about my book, love isn’t selfish.
We are creational beings! God made us in His image, and HE IS LOVE. 🙂
I’m going through a particularly hard time in my life. My sister killed herself 2 days before Christmas, my husband has been in the hospital for the last week and my 86 year old father who is under hospice care is going to be coming to live with us. A friend of mine recommended your devotionals and they are a ray of sunshine in my fairly dark life at the moment. Thank you for sharing God’s love with me daily!
I loved a confident heart. I have struggled with low self esteem for many years and love the lessons I got from the book. Thank you for writing it. I know it will help many people.
Confidence is something I continually struggle with. I would love to win “A Confident Heart Devotional”. Thank you for this encouragement!