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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

There is No One Like You!

Do you remember being in middle school? Those were the awkward years. I remember not really liking who I was or how I looked. I have a feeling a lot of us didn’t like ourselves at that age, but we all desperately wanted others to like us, right?

At that point, I think a lot of us secretly compared ourselves to those around us, observed who was liked most, and tried to be like the popular people.

In my Proverbs 31 devotion, “Becoming the Real Me,” I talk about having that same unhealthy habit in my adult life, too. And I know I’m not alone. For many women, it wasn’t just a phase when we were teenagers; it’s still a struggle now. Sometimes it’s because we don’t have the confidence to find out who we really are. Many of us are just more comfortable buried in busyness and hiding behind our self-doubts.

Lots of times it’s because we’re believe we don’t have anything special to offer anyway, so we just keep being who others want, need or expect us to be.

Well my friend, it’s time to do something about it. How? First we have to stop comparing ourselves to other women. Why would we compare how we feel inadequate on the inside with how someone else looks like they had it all together on the outside? We’ll always end up feeling less than.

Not only is comparison toxic for us personally, it’s also destructive relationally. Comparison makes us measure our worth against other women, and we end up competing with each other.

But God created us to complete one another, not compete with each other.

In my book, A Confident Heart, I share how we can do that by encouraging each others’ strengths, overlooking each others’ weaknesses and celebrating each other’ uniqueness.

The truth is, life is hard and we need each other! “But now God has placed the parts, each one of them in the body just as He wanted. And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? Now there are many parts, yet one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

God gives all of us unique personalities, abilities, passions and experiences because we each play a leading role in the story He’s writing with our lives.

So, today when you are tempted to compare yourself to another woman and doubt starts whispering that you’re not as smart as she is, or gifted or pretty or godly…remember you are “God’s masterpiece…created anew in Christ so that [you] can do the good things He planned for [you] long ago.” Ephesians 2:10, (NLT)

In my upcoming book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God’s Promises, I have a whole chapter on this topic and other self-doubts that keep us from becoming the women God created us to be!

I’m giving away three copies today, but first I’d love for you to watch this 2-minute introduction video.

I’m praying for each of you today as you begin to discover and embrace the woman God created you to be! Remember, there is no one like you…and the world is missing someone special until you become her!

If you’d like to read A Confident Heart when it releases, and share it with friends, enter to win 3 copies (1 for yourself and 2 for friends) below:

  • To enter one time, click on the word “comments” below to share thoughts about today’s topic. (If you don’t have a blog it’s okay, click anonymous and type in the white box. But be sure to leave your first name to be part of a drawing).
  • To enter two times, leave a comment with your thoughts and leave another letting me know you’re sharing this post via Facebook and/or twitter with a link back to my twitter page @reneeswope or back to my Facebook page @A Confident Heart by Renee Swope FB page.(https://www.facebook.com/renee.swope?ref=name#!/pages/A-Confident-Heart-by-Renee-Swope/160376334023273)

A Confident Heart releases August 1st, but you can pre-order yours at P31 today and be the first to receive a signed copy in early August! (P31 is getting early copies in mid July.)


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Comments

  2. I was so encouraged by your devotion today. I have struggle really knowing who I am for many years… mainly due to a mother who always told me what to do via guilt trips. Course she got it from her mom and so goes the chain. I'm hoping to break the cycle and that it does seem to get better with each generation. Thank you for speaking out and writing something so encouraging for the next generation to become what God wants us to be, not our mothers.
    Sincerely, Angie

  3. In the struggles of becoming who God created me to be, I have found that I need to be careful not to overlook the fact that it is God who does the work. I don't need to change to become that woman because I already am her. In Psalm 139, it is past tense…"He created us, we were woven" etc. We are HIS workmanship! We simply get lost & distracted in the things of life and forget who we are…beautiful daughters of the King of Kings! Thank you for your words of encouragement, Renee. We will all do well to seek God's plan for us and know that He is faithful!
    Andrea Bock

  5. As I read and listened to your video I just remembered what my daughter came home to say after her youth group. She said that "God has a plan for me. A plan that is way better than I could ever imagine". Remembering to do life with a fresh, young outlook is necessary to feel refreshed. As women, we are the ones that really allow us to get bogged down with the daily routines. Whatever you do, whether it is being a custodian or a homemaker, do it with a servants heart that everything is done in his name. Joy will come from that if your heart is truly living for him. You will not feel insignificant

    • I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website.
      I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content by you later
      on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged
      me to get my own, personal blog now 😉

  7. I can so relate to your devotion. I am almost 35 and I struggle with what my desires and dreams are. I don't really know what I enjoy. I am excited for your book to come out.

  8. I have always wondered if I am doing what God planned for me! Maybe I've been doing what's expected of me by others. I need your book. Connie

  9. I am a woman who as a child was the product of a divorced home. I have always struggled with feelings of inferiority and incompetence. Since becoming a mother, these feelings have become intensely magnified because I want desperately for my daughters to feel worthy, wanted, and loved! I'm discovering for myself, and passing on to my precious children, the only place to receive completeness is through the redemption of Jesus! Thanks to Renee for your good works and encouragement of women that we can indeed become all that our loving Creator has in store for us! Michelle

  10. Thanks for sharing this today! It spoke to me. I have struggled with this in my life. I need to be reminded daily of what He says about me and look to Him to show me the works that He has prepared for me in advance to do and not say yes to every good thing but wait on Him until He reveals to me the God thing he has for me. Blessings!

  11. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and heart with us. This is something I struggle with too. Even though I'm already in my 30's I still don't really know what I want to be when I grow up. Your devotional really encouraged me to seek Gods guidance.

  12. [email protected] I was born an illigetimate child and have always felt like I wasn't good enough. Your message today made me stop and think what I was created for and like you I couldn't say what it was. I prayed the prayer and hope God will show me His will for my life. I'm 59, but I know He can still use me for His purpose and show me what I'm good for.

  14. Looking forward to reading this. I don't think I've ever taken the time to figure this out. I get some glimpses now & tehn, but I don't slow down enough from the busy-ness, and I don't try to. Few things make me as uncomfortable as self-reflection.

  15. As a mom of two and starting a MOPS group this got me thinking who am I really…I want to uphold all God created me to be. Thanks for getting me thinking. AManda Hamon

  16. I have been praying for a while now for God's dreams for me to be realized in my life. Your words just pounded in my heart and soul. I related on every aspect you spoke of. Thank you for your inspiration and I know that I am a treasured child of His! Cathy

  17. I JUST texted my friend about the fears and doubts you mentioned in your blog. Ever since I got saved, I jumped right in to "be" the "right" type of Christian I was "supposed" to become. Which really meant I got busy doing and literally got completely burnt out. When I stepped away from serving in ministries, I wondered "who I am?" because I didn't have a function or title to label me. Now, I find myself starting all over again and seeing that it is very easy for me to slip into the do mentality. Lord Jesus, help us!

  18. Today spoke about a desire of my heart, I loved being a mom and that was my goal as a child but I'm always trying to discern what my gifts are and where to use apply them, the real me!
    Fran D.

  20. I am pretty sure your book was written just for me. I feel like I desperately need the message NOW. I guess I will have to wait until August, but will seek the Lord as best I know and ask Him to bring healing!