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. “
I have done all the above!!!! I share everything you post with my girlfriends, your spiritual encouraging words are the second best part of my morning. Not to be mean but the first best part is God giving me the ability to breath and move ! I want the book so maybe just maybe it will be God’s will for me to have it.
I can’t thank you enough for speaking, and bringing out what is in my heart…it’s kinda like you know me personally, what a good feeling to have.:)
I worry like no tomorrow, full of stress and you are making me understand it and to Trust in God more something I’ve had issues with forever.
Thank you
I found your blog through a link shared by Proverbs 31 Ministries. I shared the link and signed up for your emails as well as The 7-day Doubt Diet. I look forward to the daily inspirations as I have been overwhelmed and searching for inspiration and renewal then I saw this post.
Thank you for the reminders that God’s love for me is more than enough. I have been trying to rebuild trust in my marriage during the past few months and its been a hard road. So unsure of my own thoughts, if they are valid or if its just my own thoughts forming a life of their own. How do i go from forgiving my husband to trusting him again and having confidence in our marriage again? I know I need more of Jesus in my life but I feel like if only I felt more loved by my husband, things would be better. I’m not one to post usually (actually this is my first post ever on a blog!) but I’m desperate to feel loved and secure in my marriage again. looking forward to reading more!
Sorry for a second comment – I also forwarded this via email to some girlfriends who I thought would also benefit. Thanks Again!! 🙂
I am looking forward to your devotionals and I’d love for you to pray with me concerning the salvation of my 2 son-in-laws their names are Chad and Bruce. Also I’d like to ask you to pray with me concerning my daughter Carrie’s job hours…she has to work on Sunday morning and we’d love to see her hours change so that she could be in church on Sunday mornings with her 2 daughters. Thank you!
Being a single Mom of a 13 year old daughter, I was diagnosed with MS Feb. 2010. But Praise God – I have turned the initials MS into MS – meaning My Salvation !! Thank you Renee’ & P31 Ministries for inspiring& uplifting me every day !
Thank you so much for doing this and writing the book…the Lord always have a plan for all of us!!!! Being a NEW Pastor’s Wife had come with many hours of DOUBT, although some days can be good ones. Would love to have this book for two reasons, one to share with my daughters and two to gain a little more of confident on myself with your help…
Help is always welcome!!!!!
And also with the Lord’s help…..Amen!!!
Thank you so much for your message today about worry. That is what I have been doing so much lately. The bank is foreclosing on my home and the sheriff sale is July 15th. Everything has been such a blur the last few weeks and my son and I are having many struggles trying to adjust. But I know, that God has a much bigger and better plan for me if I will just set that worry aside. I would appreciate your prayers and I thank you for your devotion today and everytime you share. I did do the 7 day doubt diet with my daughter and we both enjoyed it. Thank you once again.
I read your Proverbs 31 devotion this morning and it was pointed right to my soul today. My husband and I have 3 children, the youngest being only 8 months old. I had a positive pregnancy test this morning and I just cannot wrap my heart around it yet. It’s such a shock, and we are days away from buying a home. My husband just began a new job and there is no insurance yet. I’ve been a believer since I was a little girl, so the reminders you gave were not breaking new ground with me, but they were exactly what I feel the Lord was asking of me. So, through my overwhelmed tears this morning, it is my purpose to give him my worries and accept the peace He offers. Thank you for allowing the Lord to speak through you.
I have done all 3 things listed to enter the giveaway! Thank you so much for this post! I needed to read it today. It seems I have been focusing on the things going on in my life and the worry instead of giving these to Jesus and letting him take care of things. I needed this reminder today! I look forward to reading this book!
I am new to your ministry! I feel that I have definitely be led here to discover truths about myself. Win or lose in the drawing, I am still a winner! Thank you. I did all of the various ways to enter.
I have done all the suggestions to enter the giveaway. I do so enjoy all the encouraging words that Renee has to give. This is a book that I am praying to win in the giveaway, as the title alone lets me know that it will help me in my season of life right now. Thank you, Renee for all of you encouraging words that you so graciously share with others. My prayer at this time is that God will allow me the ability to be able to share any encouragement that He shows me. There is always someone in a spot where I should be able to offer encouragement that points to the Peace of God.
I am a procrastinator and I have put off some things I committed to do where I am at a point of being overwhelmed . . .
Thank you for an opportunity to win a free copy of your book during these very hard economic times. I have signed up for the 7 day doubt diet and to also receive your emails daily. I have a HUGE prayer request. I have let doubt creep into my mind I am now in the deep pit of depression and trying to cover it up from everyone I know. I HATE myself. I think I am the worst mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister, etc. But I try to put on this facade when I see people so they will have no clue what is truly going on. I am going to try and download the first chapter of your book. Thank you for that free opportunity. And thank you for being willing to pray for a perfect stranger. I feel God has abandoned me and Satan is just having a party in my life. Wishing you all the best.
LOVE your new site! I have done all of the above! Hope to win your book! LOVED the 7 Day Doubt Diet, by the way! 🙂
I did all three things listed to enter the giveaway. I am so very excited about this book, and I have a group of stay at home Mommy friends that I want to start this as a study with mid-August when our kiddos head back to school. As soon as I read the title to this book several months ago, I knew I needed to read it. I am constantly trying to seek confidence in the One who only confidence should be gained. Thanks for allowing this opportunity to win a book, but most importantly, thanks for following God’s leading on your heart to write this book for all of us!
I downloaded the 7 Day Doubt Diet and forwarded it to a few women I thought would benefit from it as well. Would love to have a copy! I could use prayers for my nephews. They are 4 and 7, living in an unusualy family setting where I worry constantly how they will turn out. I wish that God would show me what the plan is for them before it is too late.
Thank you for the 7 day doubt diet on email. I signed up for it. I never realized I had any doubt but after reading your emails I realized the fear I had about doing new things was doubt. Thank you for opening my eyes.
I’d love this book, I have suffered from low self esteem and lack of confidence for so long. I struggle daily with this, and believe this is what I need, more God confidence!
I also shared this link on facebook!
If Wikipedia needed a photo of Martha for the online viewers, I could submit mine! We as women gravitate toward fixing, healing, making, baking, protecting, organizing, teaching, listening, worrying…..in a nutshell, exhausting ourselves b/c we feel like we have to or no one else will. I’ve been memorizing scripture on index cards to combat negative thinking…..I know it’s going to help! 🙂
Thanks so much! I shared on FB and Twitter and signed up for the 7 day doubt diet a couple weeks ago. I also receive your newsletter. How to pray for me? I have taken on a new job as a school principal and my new school has many difficult issues. God’s peace is what will get me through! And the 7 day doubt diet spoke directly to me. 🙂
God does lead His children once we seek HIm. As I opened my email account this morning I decided to share the thought that was on my heart, “The peace of God passes all understanding once you keep your heart and mind stayed on Him!” After doing that I started to read my mails and to my delight I opened your invitation. I am so thankful to God that He never leaves us comfortless but gives us assurance through all sorts of moments. I thank God for you Renee for a listening /obedient heart. I pray His blessings upon you and all He has called you to do. You are already blessed.
I loved the free offer for the 7 day doubt diet. I have shared the offer with friends via email and on my FB page. I would love to win the Confident Heart!!!! The first chapter already spoke to my heart, and I can’t wait to start reading tomorrow’s devotional. Some of my friends are struggling in the work place, and I forwarded the email to them as a source of encouragement in their jobs. I’m praying God uses the next 7 days as a powerful way to minister to my friends and me!!! 🙂
Fear would be the one concern that I would like to lay at God’s feet today. I get so consumed with fearing what might happen that I lose out on what is actually taking place. I must learn to give it ALL over to God. He is in control of everything anyhow. Most of the time, the things I worry or fear I can’t do anything about anyhow. Giving it to God will give me the peace that I long for. Thanks for the resources. I am looking forward to reading your book.
I can equate with your comments today in several ways. I have shared the email with several other ladies and am ready to receive the books ordered!! 🙂
I just signed up for your email updates also, love the look of the new site!
Thank you Renee for these encouraging words. I deal with fear which I have a acronym for: F= Fear, E= Everything, A= And, R=Run or F= Face, E=Everything, A= And, R= Recover. But I don’t live by this @ times I allow satan to get all in my thoughtys and have me doubting myself and all that I am capable of. On the 16th I am starting a book club “Sista’s in Christ” and I am happy about this opportunity I have been wanting to do thid book club for sometime no, but I never did because I always allowed fear and doubt to get ion my path. Now that I am getting closer and closer to the date I am starting to have self-doubt and that word FEAR is starting to kick up. I know its nothing but the enemy trying to discourage me from doing the will of God and I am asking you to please keep me in prayer I know I should fast & I think thats exactly what I am going to do, can you give me any suggestions on what to do just anything encouraging. I want to have like a folder of different things to give to the ladies but I don’t seem to know how to go about doing that, so Renee if you have any websites I can go to please email me and I also looked at your free resources and i’m going to download some things from there. Again please keep me lifted in your prayers. 🙂
As for prayers, I have been very blessed by God and am very thankful for all He has given me. I recently underwent a surgery to remove an ovarian cyst that showed signs of being cancerous and it wasn’t (PTL) my daughter who thought my husband and I were such an awful parents for expecting her to help around the house and moved in with her father has realized that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Tomorrow I see a surgeon for a cyst on my breast so he can determine our course of action. I am sure that God will work that out also. So pray for my daughter, who is the only person where she is now living that has a relationship with Christ, to continue to nurture that relationship and to show God’s love to them through her actions, and pray for me to continue to trust God and rest in His hands knowing He will work all things for my good because I love Him.
I am so blessed by the “Encouragement for Today” daily devotions. EVERYDAY they seem to minister to something I am going through. For a long time I have been stuck in moving forward in a lot of things and believe it is a self-confidence thing. The Lord has been drawing me closer and closer to Him, creating a passion to know Him better and I believe your book will be helpful. “Stop worrying, Start praying, Keep thanking God (Phil 4:6-7)”. I like the way you outlined that for me. That is what I have been doing and will look forward to becoming stronger. Thank you for your ministry.
I was already receiving the 7 day doubt diet, loved it by the way! It really helped me in this area of my life
I enjoyed your 7-Day Doubt Diet. You can pray for me as I life as a mom or two kids with chronic health problems.
I felt comfort knowing that I’m not alone in my insecurities and lack of confidence. At the age of 50, I have missed so many opportunities and HIS best for me. I have no doubt that the Lord longs to heal this area in my life and I look forward to walking with Renee and the Lord to true and lasting freedom. I want to be all He created me to be and no longer listen to the enemies lies or the lies I’ve come into agreement with. His truth will set me free!!!
Thank you for sharing your own personal experience from pain & chains – to truth and life in Him!
I tweeted and shared this post with my friends
Hi Renee,
Many thanks for your encouraging post today. I was going through the same thing in my life, a few months ago with my university work and trying to balance my spiritual life, family and relationships etc, and I found that I was just wearing myself thin. Eventually, I finally heard what God had been saying all the while – that He doesn’t want any of His children toiling, and that we are called to live victorious lives here on Earth, and not to struggle our way through. It’s all part of our testimony as Christians. So, I could really relate to today’s devotional. I am also at a point in my life where I’m learning to appreciate myself in Christ more and to celebrate my uniqueness, instead of doubting who God has created me to be. And yes, I have struggled with quite a bit of self-doubt, and I’m glad that God has been helping me in this walk of faith. It’s so important for us to see ourselves the way our Heavenly Father sees us, and let that shape our very being. It ain’t easy, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! (Phil 4:13)
God bless!
P.s – I have done all three. I’ve spread the word via email, and have invited a few of my friends to join in with the 7-day doubt diet. My prayer is that God who has begun this [beautiful] work in us will complete it until Christ comes back. (Phil 1:6) Amen!
My favorite worry verse:
“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:27, 33-34
This is a wonderful post, Renee! Thank you for sharing the insight God blessed you with. I have shared it on facebook and Twitter, and I’m going to write a blog post this week about worry with a link to your post and devotion as well.
I have a friend who came to mind as soon as I read the title of your book! I’m going to bless her with a copy if I win it or not.
Hi Renee! I’m currently going through your “Doubt Diet” and am signed up for your updates. It has been really helpful, as I daily struggle with worries and confidence. You have such a sweet spirit and it really encourages me to read your story. I would love to win a copy of your new book! I also have a tabletop cross, and I think I’m going to start “giving” my worries to the Lord, too. 🙂
Hi Renee,
I shared the P31 devo with all the women in my Women’s Group this AM we loved it! I’ve shared today’s post on my personal FB page; I signed up for the “Diet”. You know I love you – thanks for this wonderful lesson. 🙂
Thank You Renee, I needed to read your email today. I am feeling anxiety about leaving my family next week
for a trip, and peace is what I need most of all. So thank you!
In desperate need of promises today…thank you. Your prayers are welcomed and needed…
Hi, I did all of them! This post comes at just the right time for me. I have always been a chronic worrier – even to the point of believing that my worrying would keep bad things from happening! Recently, I started having anxiety attacks (I’ve never had one before) and it scared me. I’ve been using Prayer, Scripture Memorization, and Meditation on God’s Word to combat them. I know God tells us not to worry, it’s just so hard to break a life long cycle. So, would you pray for me to be victorious in my battle?
I have already signed up for both…and am going to share the link on my facebook page. I could have sworn that I wrote the words you posted on your page. I have become so overwhelmed and worried (not trusting God)… Tears came to my eyes as I read your words,
“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.”
How that sounds like me right now in this season. I try to move closer to God but doubt my ability to hear Him clearly…and feel so lonely for Him.
I have a little cross (something like yours) and on it it says “TRUST” and “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” I had put one of my sons name in a little silver box next to it…but I think it’s time to add some more things and look up some Scriptures to replace the worry thoughts….
Thanks for the reminder…you have blessed me!
I’ve done all the above. Please pray for an event coming up at our church July 25-29. It’s our 3rd annual Youth Week which is for 6-12 grades.
Thanks!
I already signed up for the 7-doubt diet–that is why I pre-ordered the book.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/ruthhill74/status/91163053135101953
I signed up for your e-mail updates.
If I do win this copy, I plan to give it away on my blog:
http://www.mydevotionalthoughts.com
Thanks!
Thank you for the words of encouragement today. I have three teenage daughter’s and some days are easier than others. The devil definitely has a way of putting doubt into your head and reminding you of the fact that you are ill qualified to deal with it all. I am so thankful for God’s grace. I am so sick of falling prey to the devil’s lies about who I am and what I am. I have dealt with a lack of confidence my whole life. I keep praying to God to remove it from me so I can be who He created me to be. I am thankful that He does not give up.
Btw.. I am linking off to this post in Facebook, am signed up for your Doubt Diet and also get your emails. Whether I win your book or buy it….I will read it ! God Bless you Renee 8)
I meant to say as well that I absolutely love your new website. It’s inviting and welcoming in every way!
Renee.. your book and its timing is Timely for me! 8 years ago my late husband chose to take his life and the earthquake cracks still linger within me. Some days I am soo full of worry about the unknowns, the regrets, the haunting memorys, the spaces full of deep pain..that I find myself soo overburdened by them. Its not so much the fact that he died this way but how I look at the world now & its changes that keeps me FATIGUED. I am still at HIS FEET but the second I have to deal with the flesh of this world I am back to Doubt, fear, worry, not being confident etc. He chose to die…to walk away…to leave. THAT shakes me to the core that I wasnt VALUED enough to love me still.
Thank God that Jesus isnt that way. I’d be dead right now if not for His Grace.
Plz pray for me…my life is in constant CHANGE and it feels like CHAOS.
I know HE is tugging at my spirit…I keep wrestling with what to do now.
There is MORE than just this LOSS that defines me.
Its ME thats sits at HIS feet.. yet I know he has SOMETHING out THERE for me now .
Anyhoo…thank you Renee…I look forward to this book.
For such a time as this.
Isaiah 61:1-3
I’ve shared via Facebook and I am intending to blog about it as well. I’ve signed up for both your emails and the Doubt Diet as well.
I’d love to win one of the giveaways! After reading the first chapter I’ve been excitedly waiting for the release of your book to read the rest. 🙂
Dear Renee,
I am a co leader in the youth group of our church. God has been dealing with be about the peace giving promises. With all the distractions, worries, and turmoil the devil has been throwing at us we have lost sight of things just as in the story of Martha in Luke 10. We have worried over so many things lately that we were missing the MOST important thing. Our kids are at camp this week and we are praying for a change in them, but most of all I am praying for a change in us as leaders. I just wrote another leader, who is at the camp, about this very thing. God has shown me to put all this worry aside and get back to basics…..and HE is the basics. Through your 7 day doubt diet I realized the devil had put the doubt in me that I wasn’t good enough to lead this youth group. That maybe I didn’t know enough, or know how to teach these teens what they needed to be taught. I have claimed our youth room back, in the name of Jesus, and sitting down today to lay out a mission, purpose, and goal. Thank you for all your words that God has truly blessed you with. They arrived just on time…..Gods time!
Wow! I seem to always find something to worry about!! And I seem to be slowing learning that worry does nothing to help!! I am trying not to worry about our upcoming family plans and just let God have control. Things like do we have a third baby try to find a larger home- where to find that home. My son is starting kindergarten – am I doing the right thing by not home schooling him. And as you can see the list goes on. I am so very blessed and know these are little issues but they still creep up and can cause big worry!!!