What if this week, every time we look in the mirror and think … “Uggh, I need to ______ {lose weight, do something about these wrinkles, get rid of those dark circles under my eyes, etc.} you say this out loud:
“He calls me Beautiful.”
Because it’s true. He does!
What if we surrounded our hearts with truth seekers and truth-speakers, who told us these truths again and again? Friends who point us back to the One who calls us Beloved, Known and Valuable.
This week I’m honored to be joining a community of women that do just that, everyday. Speaking courage, truth and Hope into the hearts of women around the world through their words, blog posts, community groups and more. Oh how I’d love for you to join (me) there as I join the contributing writers team of:
Perhaps (in)courage is a place you already know? Or maybe it’s a community waiting for you? I’ll be sharing more in the weeks to come. But I hope you’ll hop on over this week, and find out more about (in)courage, see me with bed-head (in my favorite place on earth), and meet the other new writers here. BUT BEFORE YOU GO be sure to ENTER TO WIN (Sorry, the giveaway is over, but would still love to hear from you)!
To celebrate the (in)courage-ment, and the fact that this week will be different because we’re going to tell ourselves the truth every time we look in the mirror… I’m giving away Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need for Approval and Seeing Yourself through God’s Eyes, by my friend Jennifer Dukes Lee. Jennifer is also a newbie (in)courage writer along with several others and me who joined the (in)courage team today!
Jennifer wrote “Love Idol” for women like us—who’ve had “enough of the not-enoughs.” This book is her journey toward freedom from the approval-seeking-cycle where she invites us to a place where we can lay down every mirror, every tally sheet, every report card — everything that tells us we aren’t (____) enough.
ENTER TO WIN by leaving a comment sharing one area of your life where you would love to see yourself as God sees you: loved and pre approved. (Sorry, the giveaway is over, but would still love to hear from you)
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I’d love to feel as strong as God says that I am. Have confidence in myself and my abilities.
I struggle with always missing the mark. There is much I get in my head that hasn’t settled into my heart.
Reading through the comments above- mine echo what so many have already said!! My biggest is my weight and being seen for who I am- not how big my body is/ isn’t. Also being a good wife and mother- Satan attacks those hard- like it’s never enough. Redeemed-
Chosen- Inconditionally loved daughter of God! Thanks!!
I carry self-doubt around almost every day. I have a history of depression which I wish would become a real history and not poke it’s ugly face in my life on a fairly regular basis. I live in fear when I don’t know if I will have enough money to pay bills, rent and purchase food some days. I have been blessed with one true friend who reminds me that the Lord made me and he knows and believes in me; he made me beautiful in his eyes. She is so encouraging to me and it helps on my really down days. I sit and read his Word and tears flow sometimes. This is when I am truly blessed knowing that he is reaching out to me himself because the words I am reading at that time are the words I need to make it through a day.
there are many areas I would love to see myself as God sees me!! but if I had to pick one it would be the confidence God has in me!!
I want to see myself as God does when it comes to raising my daughters. I am a Navy wife and have three beautiful daughters. There are many days like I’m failing as a mom and wife. I would love to know how God sees in doing at the job He gave me!
To pick one area is quite hard when you are struggling with deep depression. When you are barely keeping your head above water it’s hard to remember that God loves me and His is the only approval I need. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety since I was middle school. I am now 28 years and going through the worst depression I’ve ever dealt with. I actually just went back to work after being on medical leave for about 2 1/2 months. By the grace of God I am still here and 3 weeks clean of self harm and doing better with my eating disorder. I know that God loves me and will always be there however when the pit is deep and dark it’s difficult to see the light. I am a people pleaser and will do anything to help another no matter the cost (financially, emotionally etc.) to me. I want to see myself like God sees me and tell Satan to take a hike! I DESPERATELY want freedom from my depression. I would love to win a copy of this book however I’ll be super excited for whomever you choose. Thank you for reminding this very broken heart that I am loved. God Bless you and your ministry!
I have been overweight my whole life. Ever after losing about 200lbs I still see my self as fat and unwanted. I have been pre-approved
If I had to choose one area I would like to see myself transformed when it comes to insecurities is the notion of being “fit,” fit to carry out the duties that God requires of me. I undermine my strength and my abilities. I sometimes wonder if who I am or what I have to offer is enough. Though, I know God can use anyone I still wonder if I’m a vessel that He can be glorified through.
Parenting, I need only see myself through God’s eyes in my parenting, toughest job ever.
I would love to see myself as a good role-model for my children.
I lost my leg above the knee a few years ago and it is very hard to see myself other than maimed.
I fell asleep at the wheel and hit a tree head on. I was lucky to have survived as I was in the hospital for 6 months. There are many days I wish I had just die in car accident because life is so hard living it from a wheelchair.
I struggle with my amputation defining who I am because it already defines what I can and can’t do. Life is not easy but no one ever said it would be. I find myself at a low point in my life trying to figure out suffering vs. the sovereignty of God! That is a hard topic to conquer when your healthy let alone when you know that the rest of your life will include pain and suffering.
I will hush….I’ve said more than enough. If anyone has tidbits or big bigs for that matter of encouragement – I would welcome your ideas and encouragement. Here is my email: [email protected].
Thanks for listening and reading.
Suzanne
Suzanne,
My heart breaks for you! Jesus loves you and will use even this, if you will allow him too. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4….says Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. I pray that you receive God’s comfort and then go and comfort others in such a mighty way. I too, have had a rough life, my dad was murdered when I was 14, I lost a brother in a car wreck at the age of 31, and another brother was paralyzed from the chest down in a shallow diving accident at the age of 25…..Some might think it would be easy for me to become bitter or angry. But, I try not to allow any of those things to define who I am, because God tells us “His grace is sufficient for us, his power is made perfect in our weakness” I pray that you will allow him to be strong in you. So that you can do all that he created you to do. Jesus loves you!!
Love in Christ,
Chasidy
Definitely needed this reminder. Really struggling right now due to physical limitations, weight gain, not sleeping, etc.
To Learn,,Renew and Own the Truth Regardless The Outside Voices..(Corporate perform base work & Single Motherhood ).. Perfect Timing …Yes!!
As a single Mother it seems like lately everyday is a constant struggle. I live paycheck to paycheck and am so tired of just scraping by each month. My dream is to buy my own house….my answer…”You don’t make enough or I’m sorry we cant help you.” Its heartbreaking each time I hear those words and it really starts to wear on you in every area of your life. Same thing when it comes to dating…I haven’t had a date in over three years and I wonder “What’s wrong with me. Why am I not enough?” I find myself envious of my friends who seem to have it all. Many of them are married to their best friend, have their dream homes, can pay all of their bills each month and still be able to get by until the next paycheck comes. I know that we cant compare our lives to others lives because nobody has a perfect life but its really hard not to be envious and wish we had what they do.
There are a lot of days that I really struggle with my faith and I wonder if God hears my prayers at all.
I would say truly knowing I am loved… self esteem is definitely a struggle.
I would love to remember that I simply am good enough, period! That I need no ones approval but God’s!
Trust the God in me
I was as bused, neglected and forgotten at an early age. I spent my life trying to be accepted by my family. At early age I received attention in wrong ways, sexual abuse started at 5yrs old. I spent 2yrs n foster home to grow up being handed back n forth to aunts and reminded I wasn’t there child. At 15 I left home and married 10yrs ended in divorce. Now, im blessed with a wonderful husband who loves God. I still find myself asking why? My family still doesn’t love me. I have no contact with any of my relatives. Forgotten!
Dear God,
I pray right now, that you will wrap your loving arms around this person, that feels forgotten. Please let her know that you have not forgotten her. You knit her together in her mothers womb, she is fearfully and wonderfully made, her frame was not hidden from you…you knew exactly what you wanted her to look like and exactly where you wanted to use her. And I pray that you will do just that, allow her to love herself the way that you do. Help her to focus on the family/husband you have given her right now, and to love him with all her heart. Knowing that you are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. In Jesus Sweet Name, I Pray!
Amen
One area of my life where I would love to see myself as God sees me is as a mom.