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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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This offered a great reminder to me. I often drift in and out of allowing God to fulfill me. Once I fill full I often neglect to return to Him to remain full and can unconsciously end up searching for something else to bring me Joy. I needed this constant reminder to continue to allow His unfailing Love to fill me up. I absolutely can relate to your situation with the ex- boyfriend and having unrealistic expectations of others. No one else can provide that unconditional love that God can and it is not fair for us to expect that from anyone but Him. I would love to win either one of the books.
Thank You
Your experience said “that’s me” and someone else has been there too! Although I keep trying to believe that I’m good enough, I struggle every single day. I stop at our chapel periodically, talk to God all the time begging to have this feeling go away; somehow I’m not hearing God or do I understand. Being single in my 50’s and overachieving and alone, I feel desperate. I would love to have a copy of your devotional. I’m ready to change how I feel about unconditional love. Thank you.
This devotion was much needed in my life as I have been praying for a fill of what I sometimes feel is a void. God’s love is unconditional, just to know that fact, comforts me. He is all we need, even through disappointments in relationships with family and friends. My prayer for all here is that we push through and are able to display the same love (regardless of the current situation) God shows us ALWAYS! To God be the Glory!
With all these comments it will be hard to choose someone who really needs this devotional. I started reading the book and today read about God’s unfailing love. Then I read it again on encouragement for today devotional. I know I really need to understand it with my heart. Have always based my value and identity in what I do and then two years ago the rug was pulled out from underneath me it nearly destroyed me. Still trying to recover from that traumatic event in my life but doing better. Being married for over 28 years and not being fulfilled there either I know I really need to find faith and trust in Christ alone to give me the desires of my heart. Thank you for writing this book!
I would love to win the devotional! Sounds like exactly what I need right at this time.
Thank you for sharing!
I would love this book for my daughter who will soon be turning 21. She has struggled for as long as I can remember with wanting unconditional love. She knows the Lords love in her head but still struggles.
Wonderful message today! Thank you Renee!
WOW! I am in a season of life of waiting on God. The world is asking, demanding, rolling its eyes at me as I try to find approval as I wait on God. Busyness is not the answer, but knowing Whom I serve and having confidence in His perfect unconditional love is the only thing that fulfills me and validates my life. Thank you for your encouraging words and letting God use you in others (my) life. Blessings to you.
I would like to win a copy of A Confident Heart. I think I would be a true help in my walk with God. However, if I did win the book by Chapman I would pass it on to a sister who’s godly but single and though she trusts God and HE is her all, I think the book would be an encouragement to her.
Thank you for the chance to win and thank you for the reminder to lean on God for all things and let Him fill me b/c He won’t leave or forsake per His love is unfailing but people will let you down,even those you thought loved you-like my spouse who just stopped caring and won’t divorce but ignores me totally and dislikes (hates) me and we have no relationship-sad but it only shows God is all I have and He and I are so close these days so really it’s a huge heartache and such a lonely road but God has cleansed me for my sins and I talk to Him through out the day and He is my husband,father and friend and I think God wanted my whole attention and cor me to know Him more deeply and thus thru trials I am learning He is the God of unconditional love.
Should have said I’d like to win the *Devotional* not book-I already have A Confident Heart so this devotional book would be a great thing to have in addition to my book:)
This is something that I’ve struggled with, looking to others to fulfill me when only God can. I’ve tried friends, boyfriends, I’ve even tried to overcompensate the emptiness by overindulging the love I give to my son. I read A Confident Heart and it truly blessed me because at times I felt like you were speaking directly to, and this devotional this morning re-affirmed that I can only depend on God to make me whole.
Thanks.
(I would like to win the 5 Love Languages for Singles)
I have found myself recently divorced. Slowly God is trying to show me that I had made an idol of my husband. He was my everything. Every waking thought revolved around pleasing him. When he left, I struggled with wondering why I wasn’t enough, what could I have done differently? I have come to realize that the pedestal I had placed my husband on was meant only for God. He should consume my thoughts, and I should work to please Him. I always have been and always will be enough for Him.
I struggle with the concept of God’s love for me because of the rejection I felt from my husband. But his love is unconditional. The more I believe this truth, the more peaceful I feel.
Renee,
I want to say thank you. Today’s devotion “Unfailing Love” did resonate with me. Surprisingly! As I read your story, I immediately though “Well, I’ve never done anything like that, so can’t relate”. But my heart cried “Yes you can!”. I have struggled with depression and sadness because I fill so unfulfilled. I am rather accomplished, but yet I’ve always struggled with feeling empty. Today I learned that I am empty searching for unconditional love. Thank you because I can share the testimony that “God created me with that need for fulfillment so He could meet it.” Only He can meet it and I prayed and will continue to pray that, “Jesus, help me stop searching for fulfillment in anything or anyone but You. Will You satisfy me with Your unfailing love and help me depend on You to meet my deepest desires and needs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
THANK YOU & My Love to you!
How very timely was this devotional. My husband is currently at a sexual addiction rehab searching and seeking God and restoration for our marriage. I am so encouraged by what I see God accomplishing in his life but it also makes me aware that the longing in my heart for unfailing love must truly and will only come from God Himself. The book I would like is A Confident Heart Devotional
I am receiving so many confirming messages on this week that the love that I am looking for from my husband can only come from God. Yes, my husband loves me. But there are times that I don’t feel like he loves me the way that I need to be loved. That desire, I am coming to understand, came from and can only be fulfilled by God. Thank you for this message.
Thank you for this reminder that I am complete in Christ. That oh how he loves me. I am a very head strong, independent woman but Im also a people person which in return makes me a peopl pleaser at times. I tend to look to people for their love and approval, instead of reminding myself that God is enough and his love is unconditional. Than i wouldn’t feel so ddisappointed, hurt, or incomplet. Your ddevotional today was refreshing and brought revelation. ..Thank you. I would love a copy of your new devotional …God bless you, for all you do to help bring truth, healing, and freedom.
i so need this book. i have felt empty for so long. i believe in God and try to pray to him almost every day but there is still an emptyness in me and my faith getss shook . i just don’t feel like i have really found God .
I would love to win a Confident Heart Devotional!
Thanks for the reminder Renee. Sometimes, all we need is just that – A reminder. God bless you
I would love to win A Confident Heart! Your devotionals always seem to be speaking to me. Thank you.
Wow your devotional really spoke to me today. I am in such a funk with our horrible Midwest winter, busy with job I don’t like, crazy kid schedule and no time for myself. On the outside I appear to have it all together but am crying inside. I’ve never posted a comment to a blog before but wanted you to know God sent this to me today as I really needed to hear it. Would love to win the Confident Heart devotional as think it might be just what I need in this stage of my life, I’ve never been good with sticking to a bible study or doing devotions but think your devotional was Gods way iof helping me get back in track! Thank You!