Welcome! If you’ve linked over from my Encouragement for Today devotion through Proverbs 31 Ministries, I’m so glad you stopped by! I hope you’ll enjoy today’s video, enter today’s drawing, and stay for a while.
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Have you ever noticed how something can happen or someone can say something and all of the sudden thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “What is wrong with me?” will trigger a string of negative emotions?
Then, before you know it that awful, yucky feeling of self doubt comes over you and makes you want to shrink back in a corner. Self-doubt is like a bully. It makes us feel small, inadequate, less than and insecure.
But we don’t have to put up with being bullied anymore. We can live as more than a conqueror through HIM who loves us and gave His life up for us!
I’ve got a short video message to share from my NEW”Confident Heart” DVD . I recorded it to equip and empower you to stop letting doubt and discouragement beat you up and start letting God and His Word build you up instead!
If you’re reading this via email, click here to watch today’s video and enter today’s giveaway!
Confident, strong, and free – it’s closer than you think!
Join the next Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Study of my book, A Confident Heart. Filled with daily insights, powerful promises, weekly video messages, and Scripture-based teachings, this online study will be life-changing! And it’s being led by Melissa Taylor and her amazing Online Bible Study. Find out more about the study and sign up here.
The P31 online study is FREE! All you need is my book A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God’s Promises. AND if you order a copy through Proverbs 31 Ministries, it will be signed and you can receive a link to download over $40 in FREE “Confident Heart” resources. Get your signed copy here and find out more today!
TODAY’S FREE BLOG OFFER: Confident Heart “Triggers and Truths” Printable.
“Confidence Boost” GIVEAWAY:
Today I’m giving away a copy of my NEW”Confident Heart” DVD and my book, “A Confident Heart” along with my message “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence” on CD!To enter, click “share your thoughts” below this post and let’s talk about the things that trigger our doubts and a truth God spoke to your heart through today’s video message and/or my P31 devotion.
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Often when I have (AM) thoughts it is a result of disappointing someone or even disappointing myself by how I respond to a situation. Within my marriage the (AM) thoughts are often a result of a argument between me and my husband. Usually it is because we have a different view on how to handle something. The result however doesn’t always end with “agreeing to disagree”. Instead, it results in me doubting myself and feeling like I did something wrong even when I know I didn’t. I try to tell myself that my approach or view is just as valid as his, but my heart dwells on doubting myself and feeling like I have disappointed my husband for not seeing it his way to begin with. Then I feel inadequate as a mother and a wife. It can become a vicious cycle of doubt and insecurity. Recently, I have been working hard to reflect and obey the words from James 1: 19-20 “…quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger doe not produce the righteousness that God desire.” It has helped me prevent saying or doing something that may result in self doubt and regret.
I love the am/fm thoughts. to have something to combat the negative is a blessing. looking forward to the study.
Sandy
I love when God leads me to just the right thing I need when I need it. I recently accepted a new position at work and am filled with self-doubt about it. I know it is a great position and I do have the skills and background for it, but I continue to be plagued by all of the “what ifs” and “not good enoughs.” I have been praying about this change for a while and know that God presented it to me for a reason, but I still have all of the thoughts that compare me to others and my previous “learning experiences.” Why do we do this to ourselves? This is something I should be happy about and celebrate, but instead, I am becoming paralyzed by self-doubt and negative thoughts
Thank you Renee! This post and your devotion could not have come at a better time or on a better day! God is so wonderful in providing us just what we need, when we need it!
You are a blessing and I am looking forward to the study!
Have a blessed evening!
I am so thankful for Proverbs 31. I went through the Stressed Less Living OBS last spring and it was such a lifter and encouragment. I have been feeling overwhelmed by my job and had several Bible study passages and Scriptures that I was holding on to and felt God really helping each day. Yesterday I faced some criticism which was very difficult to deal with. It has caused much doubt and insecurity in my work and although I am trying to turn it over to God I keep going back to the negative thoughts. I am thankful for this devotion and look forward to the Confident Heart Bible study.
Hey sweet friends {new and old} – what a blessing you have been to my heart tonight as I read through your comments, your stories. My heart aches for your hurts, I feel angry for some of the ways you have been treated, I am praying for God to fill in those empty places with His comfort and peace.
I believe in you and I have no doubt God has so much more for you than the hurt and hard-things you are dealing with. I love how HE timed today’s devotion to speak into your heart and remind you that He wants you to know what HE thinks about you – He loves you, He’s sending you this message to let you know He is there, He wants to process the hurts and doubts and He is calling you out of those places where doubt has caused you to shrink back and hide.
I wish so much I had time tonight to leave a note on each of your comments. If I didnt have a little one to get to bed and a teenager who wants to hang out with mom – I would :)!!
I’m praying that each of you have been able to access the video now that we fixed the glitch and Im praying that each of you would also join the next Online Bible study of my book with P31.
Its’ going to be amazing. Three of my favorite writer/teachers are leading it with a team of unbelievable women who will pray for and encourage you. It’s going to include all new content that is different from what I’ve offered when I led it so even if you did it with me – I hope you’ll join again!!
I’ll be really active in it and would LOVE to connect with you there! You can find out more and sign up here: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/
Love and hugs!
Renee
Hi Renee!!
My name is Renee also and I just heard about your new book The Confident Heart. I was excited to hear that there will be an online Bible study using the book, and I could not wait to invite my sister, niece, and a fellow church member. Hopefully they will join me. Look forward to reading this annointed word from God.
Yours in Christ
Renee Green
I
My confidence is shattered. I have been caring for my husband the last three years following a stroke. He is angry, my kids are moving on and I am depleted of confidence and self worth.
From your devotion “Conflict, criticism, and comparison had sent me into the shadows of doubt.”. Exactly! Anytime conflict with others, criticism from others, and comparison creeps in, I start questioning myself- am I not good enough? Why does she not like me? And so on and so on and it sky rockets out of control, leaves me feeling useless & worthless & less than. It makes my emotions flip out of control or I cower under my shell. A few negative associations then I just assume avoid that situation- and I do.
“When doubt tells you you’re not good enough, focus on the truth that God says you’re fearfully and wonderfully made; all of His works are wonderful and you are one of them (Psalm 139:14)”.
I love Romans 8!!! One verse that sticks out to me when I’m thinking about facing the world is verse 37,
“We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
I wasn’t able to access the video through your provided link, but I was able to get it via YouTube.
I have a long history of letting AM thoughts prevail and it affects every area of my life. Your message was such a great reminder of how we need to ask God to clear our minds, keep us alert and think on those things he instructs us to dwell on. The Bible says God is for me, so why do I usually assume the worst? I am praying for myself and for all of you that our God will guide us and direct us in all we think so we can feel the way our Creator intends for us to feel and live according to His will for each of us. I am so thankful God loves and cares about me more than I could ever care for myself! When I am worried, feeling bullied or just plain looking through my half empty glass, I need to be in God’s Word preparing for battle.
God bless you for communicating so effectively what I so often struggle with and for reminding me that with Jesus, I can have the strength and power to be the person He calls me to be.
hings that trigger our doubts and a truth God spoke to your heart through today’s video message and/or my P31 devotion.
Oh how my name could have been Gideon! 😉
Not long ago I was asked to speak at a ladies luncheon. I was so excited as I love sharing and encouraging women in the Lord. I was not told what to speak on but to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance. I prayed…and prayed. I then remembered my blessing board. I have a chalkboard in my kitchen and every day I write the blessings in my day to remind me to look for the good in it. Great!
I was prepared for the day and excited. Then one day, I looked in the mirror. “you are overweight, you will look ridiculous up in front of those ladies.” “Remember when you were in school and the teacher called on you, and you froze because everyone was looking at you? This is going to happen again.”
Oh how I cried to the Lord, “I am to insecure, Is there still time Lord to ask someone else?”
But I remembered my love of encouraging and that I truly can do all things through Christ who would strengthen me.
I did it! And even to this day, I see from someone who was there a post or a picture on Facebook of a blessing board. How it thrills my heart!
God is so good!
It’s my imagination that triggers my doubts. Thoughts of ‘what if….’ and ‘what about…..’
I know these are just tactics of the enemy, designed to keep me in bondage.
I am ready to be free!!
Hi Renee,
The timing of your post was a confirmation of God! Last year, I began a part time volunteer/stipend position in two of the Children’s Ministries at our church. I was given a blank slate for designing and implementing the programs. I knew God was calling me but felt HUGELY inadequate. God took me immediately to Gideon. For the first several months of my assignment, Gideon (along with Moses and Nehemiah) became my go to encouragement. I love that God saw him as a mighty warrior when he felt so insignificant. I also loved that He was so dependent on God for the victory, there would be NO question who would get the glory! That was my story.
Then, over the last six months, I have been in the process of applying for the Director of Children’s Ministry at our same church. It has been a LONG process and I have been digging in the Word for the truth to trust in God during the process and wait. I have felt confident that it was God’s calling on my life.
I interviewed 2 weeks ago and I was supposed to be hearing “soon”. It was an excrutiating time of waiting, while still serving and getting the Children’s Ministries up and running for the fall. But, I put much prayer and released it to God. All the while, knowing once again the task was MUCh larger than myself.
Well, I was offered the job last night! I was immediately filled with fear and self-doubt. I struggled to sleep feeling so inadequate, but knowing that it had been an intense process which God could have ended at any moment…but didn’t! I didn’t want to doubt all the prayers and promises and what He had been so clearly leading up to! But, I did!
Then, this morning, your devotion brought it all back full circle to Gideon and I was so blessed by how God reminded me…yes, I am still least of all, but a mighty warrior with Him! Though to everyone around me, I seem to seem so confident, I know I have so much growth in this area of my life. It is that secret place that the Enemy can bring me down…so your words and book are timely! I would love to read and learn more!
Thank you!
Julia
Thanks for this great encouraging video Renee! I love the reminder of “being intentional” with our thoughts…thinking of God’s promises and remembering His truths He has for us. The quicker we ‘hear’ the lies of the enemy and use God’s Word to combat those lies, the quicker we can live in His confidence. So many great truths in this video!
Thanks again!
Doubt says I’m not good enough and can’t do what I feel God is telling me to do. Doubt says I’m not strong enough to hold on, but when I let go of the world and hold onto Him, His peace and comfort surround me. I also remind myself of the memory verses from your study. Deutoronomy 33:12 is my favorite.
“I am weary of my crying”….”my eyes fail while I wait for my GOD to save me!”as the scripture says.
I have been doing what the WORD says…”whoever sins you remit, they are remitted and whoever sins you retain, they are retained.” Yup, retained by the one who won’t forgive! No thanks. So, every time I think of someone who has hurt me, I remit their sins until yesterday evening and today. And…the not feeling worthy and “who loves me” stuff came back!
Yesterday I messed up big time, lost my temper, gossiped and wanted to get even! The cruel abusive 78-year old lady who I was renting from and her male friend and realtor lied to me! They stated that she was going to give me my security deposit the day I moved out! She also told me that she was letting me out of my lease early because we did not see eye to eye on much. The truth is she did not like me because I’m a Christian. She thought she was going to push me around and that did not happen so she had to get rid of me and my JESUS! I should have known when she refused to sign a paper to agree to returning the money, that she was going to do something dishonest.
Besides all of that, she came at me four times to punch me in the face and threw a rock at my leg! I did not press charges against her for any of it, but I did make a police report. Unfortunately the cops didn’t do their job either. None of them put their names on the reports and refused to state that she came at me with her fists.
One day she was outside gardening and I went to talk to her. While we talked I mentioned something about the LORD. After that she told me that IF I said another word about Jesus, she would evict me! She even told the gardener that. I heard her telling him “wait until you see what I’m going to do to her!
That was when I knew it was time to move out.
On August 1, 2013, I had my mover come and my
3 cats and I moved to a motel with a kitchenette. I am very content here and will
stay until GOD shows me exactly where to find a new place to rent or buy. I do not want to make another mistake like that one and the one before it!
I had even asked the LORD back in December, 2012 if HE wanted me to rent that house. I told HIM if it was a bad choice to close that door! There was also a roof that had NO insulation so the heat poured in and down on us and on all my furniture making my electric bills higher than normal.
I took pictures of the beams inside and from what I’m seeing, there is white and red mold. While living there, I felt sick every day. Thank GOD we moved out, so neither me or my cats got really ill. I now must go to small claims court to get my security deposit back and consult with a lawyer.
What did I do? Why did GOD allow this and a young black woman who was friends with my ex-landlady, to lie to a Christian brother and sister on the same street so they accused me of things that are not true!
Again, I am weary from my crying and all of this!
Thank you for all of the encouraging words you always have! It’s encouraging to see how often the message God will seem to be trying to get across to me in that week or day or even hour! I struggle a bit to even figure out how to switch over to FM thoughts. My AM comes in SO much louder. It also just seems that I forget all too easily what The Lord is showing me. I can’t wait to read this book! Thanks again!
I started my “adult life” as a young mother (17yrs old) and never had much confidence in myself or my ability to accomplish much on my own. I went from living with my parents (bouncing back and forth from mom’s to dad’s bc they got a divorce when i was 14) as a senior in hish school to living with my new husband while I was a senior in high school and becoming a new mother. All decisions were made by my husband. I didn’t work, I was a mommy. A young mommy. We then in the following years had 3 more children. By our 9th anniversary we were divorced.I felt I had failed. He was making every decision and was a very unhappy and angry person in the marriage. I tried all I felt I could at the time. And now several years after the divorce and preparing to be remarried, to a man i believe God brought to me for so many reasons, this coming April, I find myself doubting myself and the positions God has put me in and the gifts he has given me. This devotion spoke to me more than I could ever express! I am taking so much from this devo and wanted to say thank you!! I hope to put this way of thinking into practice the next opportunity I get! Thank you!-Jes
Wow I am so trapped by the AM thoughts you mention. I came down with an inner ear illness that has kept me isolated and given the enemy plenty of time to work on weakening me. I don’t see friend as often. I have lost confidence. I joined a bible study and in this weakened state do feel closer to God, yet I do not have any of these FM thoughts you refer to ready to go. I pray for strength but your message if having the actual word of God straight from the bible to rebuke the lies is definately what I need. Thank you for making me realize that today.
Where do I begin…? I am unable to grasp the negative thoughts because they come so fast! I am a great “starter” but a horrible finisher. My doubts mostly come from comparing myself to all the things other women are able to accomplish and then I spiral into depression, overwhelmed by all the unfinished tasks and challenges in my life. I know I’m a great encourager, but dare not anyone rely on me to see them through the end of anything and that hurts!
Thank you for this message today, God you always know what we need and when!
I will be signing up for the OBS and can’t wait to get the book, maybe finishing it will help me become a finisher in all things!
If you are having trouble with the above video go here:
http://www.newlife919.com/confident-heart/
It was shared in the comments and works!