Welcome to my NEW website!! I’m so glad you stopped by today! If you found your way here from the Proverbs 31 Ministries invitation to join us on The 7-day Doubt Diet, click here for more details or simply sign up in my sidebar.
If you’re visiting after reading my P31 devotion, “When Worry Makes Me Wonder”, thanks for hopping over. In my devotion, I shared how a few years ago I felt like I was suffocating under everything that was going on in my life. Have you ever been there?
Slowly, I let worry weave it’s way into my thoughts and wear me down. Eventually, I came to a point where I was exhausted and ready to resign from just about everything…life, ministry, etc.
I ran out of fuel and felt like I didn’t have enough energy to handle all of my roles, relationships and responsibilities.
I also ran out of faith. I started doubting my ability to to hear God clearly and to do all I assumed He wanted me to do.
All my worries started making me weary. And they made me wonder… I wondered if I could manage my life. I wondered if God noticed and cared about all I was doing for Him, and others. And I wondered why God wasn’t doing something to make my life easier.
One day I was reading in Luke 10 and noticed Martha felt the same way. She couldn’t get everything done and it was making her come undone. That day I noticed something. She went to Jesus. Yes she was freaking out, but she went to Him about it.
And she asked Him the same question I’d been asking in my heart:‘Lord, don’t you care?
“She came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care?that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’” Luke 10:40b (NIV)
And how did Jesus respond to Martha’s doubts and demands? “’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (NIV)
I knew God wanted the same for me. He did care. He did notice. He’d left a note for me right there in scripture to show me what was going on in my own heart. And He’s done the same for you.
I sensed He wanted me to come to Him and talk to Him, instead of talking to myself (in my head) which only made me worry more. And when I did come to Him with my concerns, He replaced my thoughts with His thoughts. He replaced my worries with His peace.
Some days I needed to do more than pray. I needed to give my worries to Him. So I wrote them down on index cards and put them under a cross I have next to my bedside. Physically placing them there, and giving them to Jesus was so powerful.
I also looked up promises in scripture to replace my worries and doubts. I found verses like Psalm 55:22 that says: “Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you…” (NLT) I also found 1 Peter 5:7 that reminded me: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (NLT)
We need God’s presence and the promise of His care as a dwelling place for our hearts. And on those days when we we just can’t do it all and we wonder if God notices how hard we’re trying, He wants us to know He notices and He does care. He cares about us and He loves taking care of us and all that concerns us, too.
I’ve got a list of “Peace-giving Promises I’d love to share with you on my FREE resources page. And I’d love to pray for you today, too. Be sure to leave “share your thoughts” below and let me know one worry you want to leave with Jesus and I’ll pray for that concern. And also be sure to enter my drawing for my “Contagious Confidence” Give-aways.
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Peace-Giving Promises GIVE-AWAY!
In my book, A Confident Heart, I share in chapter 9 how we can turn our fear-filled thinking into faith-filled believing and stop Satan from stealing the confident peace that’s meant to be ours in Christ. Today, I’m giving away 5 copies of A Confident Heart to ONE of you – along with a Free “Confident Heart” Q&A Conference Call. That way you can gather some friends to go through the book together and we can talk about it if you want to! And, because I want more than one winner, I’m giving away 2 more Advanced copies to another one of you, too.
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I would love for you to join me in sharing God ‘s peace-giving promises today! Here are a few things you can do to enter today’s give-aways:
1. Share this post or a link to the “Peace-giving Promises via email, Twitter, your blog or Facebook. Let’s encourage as many women as we can and disarm the enemy from his weapon of worry. My “Tell a Friend” buttons below makes it really easy.
2. Sign up for the 7-day Doubt Diet (if you haven’t already) and invite friends too! It includes a week’s worth of devotions with more powerful promises, personal encouragement and scripture-based prayers to help you lose the weight of worry and doubt so you can gain a confident heart!
3. Sign up for my email updates in the little box at the top of my website to receive news on give-aways, free resources, blog posts and more! I’ve got all kinds of announcements coming up!
Leave a comment by clicking “Share Your Thoughts” below and tell me how I can pray for you. Also, let me know which or all of these you are doing to share God’s peace-giving promises today. Your comment will enter you into the drawings. I’ll announce the winner on Monday, July 18th!
And be sure to download your copy of more “Peace-giving Promises. “
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I have truly been enjoying your devo’s and your thought provoking messages on Self-Doubt and I’m so looking forward to your new book!!! You have given me great encouragement just at the right time and I thank you that you are fulfilling God’s ministry as you are. Pray God’s peace and rest upon you so that you may continue hearing and walking the path that God has given you and through that – helping and making such a difference in the lives of others. I have posted your 7-Day onto my facebook pray – I hope others will check out the site and gain as much encouragement and comfort as I have.
I would really love to win you give aways!!!!! It would be such a blessing….
Be blessed,
Penny
P.S. Prayer request – pray that I can learn to let go of the little things and focus on what is truly important in order to bring more peace into every day life….worry and stress can be overwhelming and truly is of Satan….Thank you!
I have signed up for the 7-Day Doubt Diet and have forwarded your message and invitation to several friends. I have suggested that they use your book for their next bible study. I look forward to more of your wisdom and faith in your book. Thank you.
I LOVE Proverbs 31 and all that you are doing! I LOVED the Doubt Diet and even posted it on fb!!! I would really LOVE to win the give-away too! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I really enjoy the devotion you put out. It really speaks to me. It has blessed me and I do need that especially I have been struggling with a lot of life issues. I get discouraged and disappointed with life.
I appreciate your work and you have touched my life with your devotions.
Hope to be able to get your book.
I too have already signed up for the 7-day Doubt diet and I loved it. It was so neat to see God working in me through you. Each day the devotion describe me perfectly. You are someone I always look up to. You are an excellent example of a women of God!! I am looking forward to the release of your book!! May God continue to bless you and your family!
I am already signed up for the 7-day Doubt Diet and I receive your email updates. I plan to follow you as long as you have something to say. I once heard you speak at a women’s ministry event in Concord, NC and I fell in love with you. So I’m a loyal follower!
I am signing up for all three. Your story has inspired me and your book interests me. For over 20 years, I kept a secret about a life changing decision that cost me my family. This secret boiled inside of me and took away my confidence. I ran from everything, including God. One day, in quiet desperation while driving my car, I prayed to God and He brought a wonderful Christian man into my life that has helped me get closer to God in a way I never was before. In September 2010, God directed me to deal with this issue as it was causing problems in many of my relationships. He placed before me 4 different but very similar studies and commanded me to go through these simultaneously; this would take up most all my free time. I obediently followed His direction and embarked on my journey September 2010 – April 2011. Today, I feel free of the torment that once kept me in bondage and am able to share my story with other women. My story specifically helped one woman in my group free herself of a bondage that was ruining her marriage and today, her relationship is flourishing. I still have a long way to go and I’m grateful to be directed to your website and look forward to gaining more confidence through your 7-day Doubt Diet. May God’s blessings be poured out on you for His work you are doing. Thank you.
That is awesome Kathy – may I ask what studies you did?
Dear Renee thank you so much for the Study and the promise sheet. This is one of my struggles worry and i really want the Lord to change me in this area. Your study has been a blessing and encouragement because you are so open about your own struggles. This is the day that the body of Christ should be encouraging one another and lifting each other up and you do that so well through your website. The Lord is definitely showing me how we need to bear one anothers burdens and how we need to be open with each other, I would love to get a copy of your book but for now i will work through this study The proverbs 31 team is a blessing to so many women and to me. I think Women’s Ministry is so important. By the way i followed your adoption of your daughter i can relate i brought home two beautiful boys from Guatemala and one of them was about that age. Now they are both in 5th grade 6 months apart. Adoption is a blessing from the Lord. Thanks again for the time you put in to share what God has laid upon your heart Ruthie
I have lived my life with worry since I was a very young child. I have recently gone through a divorce and I doubt everything. I am always second guessing my decisions, thoughts, opinions, everything. I am afraid of making another wrong decision. So, I think this book and the doubt diet will be a great benefit for me. I hope I can walk away being a stronger woman and more confident in who I am in Christ when I finish your 7 day doubt diet and eventually your book.
I’ve signed up for the 7 day Doubt Diet!
Hi,
I thank you so much for sharing your devotion this morning!!! I’m Kinda letting go of a lot of circumstances that are beond my control…I have five girls, and my 14 year old has been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension plus she has azburgerz sindrome…they will perform a CATH in a few weeks to determine the pressure in her heart. I know and beleive that God works for good in every situation, just that I’ve been worring in excess, but I have released it to God…there is nothing I can do but Praise HIM for my daughter and the time HE has giving me to raise her up….
Her name is Nataly and I ask you to keep her in your prayers…
GBU, Miosotis
Renee, Thank you for your sweet spirit! The thought of a virtual stranger asking me if she can pray for me is humbling! I am thankful for your “doubt diet.” Worry plagues me just as it does so many women! My current prayer request involves worry itself. I am a working mother who thankfully has summers off. As the school year quickly approaches, I have anxiety creeping in. I worry about the busyness of my soon-to-be schedule and the exhaustion that I have felt in the past with my responsibilities. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Praise the Lord that he recently directed me to this website through my prayer. You girls continue to amaze me by your dedication; and surprise me by your energy! I love this site and you girls; I am so grateful to the Lord that he has you all doing this.
My mother used to say that I live to worry; I go to bed to worry while others go to bed to sleep. Well, she was right; but I also did not know the Lord then either. Since coming to know Him, I have become a different person, but the old habits continue to return and rerun. I try daily, with the Lord’s help, to keep my focus where it needs to be—on Jesus–and I am improving, but still, of course, failing as well. BUT there is improvement. He is faithful and as long as I place my trust in Him, I will continue to improve.
Those peace giving promises are soooo necessary for us to live for reasons other than to worry, and for when we go to bed, to go to sleep, and not to worry. The more positive God honoring truths we place in our minds, the more amunition we arm ourselves with against evil, right?
I had experienced 3 mental breakdowns in my younger years, and many years of psychiatry following. Since coming to know the Lord, He has freed me from so much bondage, I can’t begin to share with you. But, I can attest to who He is; and He is love. Love in its fullness. And He is using you for this purpose, for which I am delighted. Thank you for following in the path He has ordained for you. I look forward to coming on board on many studies etc. that you will lead.
Peace Giving Promises is going to be beneficial for — I would have to say — everyone!! I do look forward to this, and to becoming better acquainted with your site. Congratulations, by the way!
Worry … because of this I turned down a job offer this week because I was worried about the financial impact on my husband and I. I was worried that going from full-time (45+ hours/week) to part-time (28-32 hours/week) pay would be a hardship and that our lives would implode because of me. The really sad part is is that I felt God’s call to put my application in for this position. I felt that He was calling me to work less for the world so that I could explore the call I keep experiencing to go into ministry. I worried that because I’m “older” – past my mid-50s – that I would compromise what my husband and I have worked for these past years. Worry … some days it’s what I do best. Thank you for your devotion today – I am going to place a cross on my nightstand and leave my worries there. God bless!
Thank you so much for your devotion on worry. I have signed up for the 7-Day Diet as well. God has been speaking to me through the story of Mary and Martha, because just as the Martha is in this story, so have I been. God has shown me this and helping me to change and choose what is best, to sit at the feet of Jesus and relinquish all my worries and cares to him. Your devotion was just another confirmation from the Lord that he is concerned about me and loves me. Thank you again for ministry.
It is almost 5am and I have been up for hours worrying about not having a job and how as a single 61 year old woman I could be considered employable. I have also started drinking to ease my worries and I know that is not the answer. Please keep me in your prayers that I will once again feel God’s love and presence in my life. Whenever I have placed my life in His hands, I feel the peace that passes all understanding. But lately I have felt so detached from the spirit. I can’t believe I found this email from your ministry in the middle of the night to comfort me by reminding me that I just have to believe God has a plan for me and my life. Thank you so very much for your reassuring words of God’s love for us, his children. I can’t wait to read the first chapter of your book later today because I now believe I will be able to get some sleep. God bless you and all you are doing for women all over the world with your words of wisdom from God’s holy word. I truly believe that God talks to us through other people and you just gave me the message I needed to hear from Him that He is still with me and has not deserted me. Thank you again.
Thanks for sharing your today’s devotion Renee. Its really not an accident that i stopped by here in your blogs. I believe that God was the one who led me along to come across your writing through the Proverbs 31′s Encouragement for Today’s devotionals. This is really timely that Im also clouded by many worries about my future after a devastating heartbreak. I had so many dilemas.. Thats why i really feel blessed to have the Proverbs 31 Authors who keep on sharing your heart to us.
Im praying as well to definitely get your book somehow, someway 🙂
Thank you so much for today’s devotion. Actually, July 13th devotion, it is still the 13th here in Colorado. I have to share what your devotion did for me. I was sitting in a surgical suite with my husband who had just had surgery to remove a quite extensive squamous cell carcinoma. I had been praying for him for so long and hard yet doubts kept creeping in that they would not get it all. No matter how many times I rebuked those thoughts, they continued. The Holy Spirit nudged me to pick up my phone and check my email! I looked up and said, “Now?” I did and found your devotion. I had no more doubt or worries! I knew that I knew that I knew! The doctor came in less than five minutes later while I was still crying my eyes out and praising God and told me Joe was cancer free! Praise God!
Joe has to have a part of his finger amputated because the surgery didn’t leave much to repair. The news is devasting but I continue to encourage him that God will see him and us through this. Your devotion was perfect timing! God never ceases to amaze me how He works through others to deliver the promises we need when we need them! I have signed up for the, “Doubt Diet” and ordered your book! Thank you and may God continue to bless you, your family and your ministry!
♥ Anne
Thank you for today’s devotion. I caught it early this morning and it was very timely. I will be doing the “Doubt Diet”. Your book will be helpful to anyone. Prayers for wisdom are always appreciated.
I have pre-ordered your book. Can’t wait to get it. Plus, I did the ‘doubt diet’. But, I still am dealing with doubt and worries. I really apreciate your web site, along with all the P31 sites. Some of the emails really touch my heart.
I would apreciate prayer , to over come my doubt and worry.