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)
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Thank you for this Renee. I am a people pleaser and while working with God and other supports to get away from this awful tendency. The most challenging thing for me, actually heartbreaking, is living with an amazing man of 48 years old. Two years ago he had a massive ischemic stroke that hit the right side. It us a miracle he is alive and functioning.
This type of stroke has now caused seizures, sleep walking, and behavioral issues, not to mention loss of motor skill sometimes. Long story short, experiencing all of the hospitalizations which arise out of the blue, has forced me into the caregiver position which loves to people please. My emotions become overwhelming and of course the fear that comes each time that I might lose him
I am seeking how God sees me but through these trials I lose focus but always know God is with me. This new endeavor and book sounds wonderful. Thank you for letting me share. Tristine
Thanks for reminding me that I am pre approved! That HE loves me no matter what. I struggle so much in this area that I wish I could see myself the way God sees me.
thanks for reminding me that I am pre approved. I need help with this area of my life
I would like to become more God conscious than self conscious. Often in decision-making I tend to worry what others might think of me.
My weight . I’m 53 and still struggle with my appearance . The number on a scale , my pants size . Not being good enough . I’m so thankful that God loves me no matter what size I am .
That I can be the wife and daughter that God wants me to me. I do not need to be insecure about others love to me. I know that God always sees me exactly as He as intended me to be and never changes His love for me. I have been “pre-approved” for many things by God!!
I struggle daily with need for approval and self worth. I love the idea of being “pre-approved”! It is so easy to forget God’s love is truly unconditional, because in our relationships here on Earth, they often times seem “conditional”. I have a hard time grasping the love God has for each and every one of us. As everyone has, I’ve made some pretty poor choices in my life — and the fact that God loves me anyway — is just amazing. I need that daily reminder of His love for me — because for me it is so much easier to believe that He is disappointed in me.
I would love to see myself as a successful writer. I have something to say that I think would be of benefit of the Kingdom of God but, and their it goes, but I can’t seem to get it out of me.
We are usually weighted down by our own thoughts of comparison or trapped by what we “think” others are thinking. Its’ crazy. Thank you for reminding us to view ourselves through God’s eyes & like God tells us- Words for building up- we consider this when speaking to others; however, it must be said that we have to apply that to ourselves / our self talk:)
Seeking approval of others! Need only God’s approval, but still worry about what others think!
I go through times of feeling inadequate and not doing enough to further God’s Kingdom. I try to remind myself to serve and do whatever I can for the Lord, but sometimes that is not enough to overcome my feelings of unworthiness.
Thanks for reminding me I am pre approved. I need to be reminded how God sees me and not that I’m overweight.
I AM PRE-APPROVED. NO make over needed.
I struggle with questioning so many things. My role as a wife and mother, my abilities. What God wants me to do. Would love this book!
Thank you…I needed this today. I don’t often feel valued or approved.
All my life I have been told if only you lost more weight, were like your sister, etc. etc. etc. then I would be accepted and good enough. I would like to believe that God does love me just the way I am and I don’t have to lose weight, be like my sister or change in any way. I just want to see how God loves me everyday and how I am special to Him.
In the area of chronic illness. Have believed since diagnosis 17 years ago, for that divine healing spoke of in the word of God. Over the years, have sought the reason behind baring it for so long…knowing that God see’s me in my full potential according to His promises…yet my faith chipped away year after year…feelings of not being worthy enough to receive those promises have over shadowed my faith. Overwhelming unworthiness I deal with daily.
I would love to win this book for my daughter. She is a 20 something and struggles with this issue everyday! She also mentors a group of high school girls that this book would be perfect for 🙂 I am excited to hear of this book and can’t wait to read it.
I struggle with feeling accepted. At work I feel inadequate.
I need that reminder daily. Since I was a child I struggled with wanting to be loved , and excerpted by my friend’s. I take one day at a time.