It’s late Wednesday night and you’re on my heart. I’m wondering how you’re doing, and if maybe you are feeling weighed down by self-doubt. God nudged me to pull away from what I was doing (working on preparation for a retreat this weekend) to write a note from my heart. It was totally unplanned, but I wanted to ask if the heaviness of discouragement or a lack of confidence is burdening you ?
If so, I want to invite you to join me on The 7-day Doubt Diet – as we work together to lose the weight of self-doubt – maybe for the first time or maybe a second time for some of you. This is spontaneous too, but I’m really excited about it.
Starting next week, I’ve decided to offer the 7-day Doubt Diet devotions on my website and weave in short stories from my current life circumstances to let you see that I’m on a journey, too. Replacing our lack of self-confidence with lasting God-fidence is a process for each of us, a daily turning towards truth in each and every circumstance that cause us to doubt ourselves or God’s promises in the midst of the unexpected.
And this time, I want us to do the 7-day Doubt Diet – TOGETHER!!
To join me and other women God calls to walk with us, all you need to do is sign up for “Email Updates” so you can receive them each day in your inbox for convenience. There is a small little brown box at the top of my website with a white x in the top right corner. Please sign up there for “email updates” before Sunday – so you will receive the first day’s assignment with everyone else on Sunday. (If you are already signed up, you’ll automatically receive these next week.)
I’m looking forward to really connecting our hearts and praying for each other through this time. If you’re going to join me and sign up, I’d love for you to leave a comment by clicking on “share your thoughts” just below this post. (optional) But, I’d love to know your in, read your name and see your face if you have profile with a headshot (no big deal if you don’t), but this way we can start praying for each other.
Blessings, prayers and big ‘ole hugs,
Renee
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Hi,
I’ve been reading A CONFIDENT HEART and it has helped me become abstinent from compulsive eating. I want to build on my relationship with Christ to ensure I never have to eat compulsively again.
Thank you for your efforts.
Sharon
Dear Renee,
I tried to start this the first time and just did not find the time to do it. Life happened and I was too busy and I am home on disability. It seems all I do is go to the doctor or to the counselor. Yet I got caught up packing all my in-laws things and heading up their estate sale when they moved into an independent living environment. I am the only one who does not work. I have not been setting good boundaries. I don’t take good care of myself, yet I KNOW HOW. I have lost SO much weight that people won’t stop talking about it. I am about 5’9″ and I might weigh now less than 110. I have always been thin but not this thin since my sr. year of high school and then I was a size 5. I am afraid I am dying. I am Bipolar and get distracted and don’t eat at all sometimes and I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome which doesn’t help my weight problem. I am not trusting God to solve all my needs and problems lately, I am doubting anyone even loves me anymore and when my dog escaped the back yard for over 24 hrs (he is 3 legged) I just about lost it. I thought God was punishing me for the times I forgot to feed him till noon or didn’t take him to the dog park. I have been manic for about 3 weeks. I just got passed up to be a leader at my church in Recovery not because my Pastor in Recovery didn’t think I had the wisdom or heart or mercy or any of those things it was because when I am good he said I am very very good, but as the poem goes I had to finish it for him, but when I am bad I am very very bad. He said not it is because of your inconsistency. He loves me, they all love me, he has seen me grow and change SO much in the last two years. He was right and I knew the answer before we met. But I was so sad and devastated. I call it being “green” like Kermit’s song. It’s hard being green? Do you know it? It IS hard to be my friend. I do have wisdom and I do have the gift of mercy and discernment and I am helping others with my same mental health issue. But I am exhausted and need some rest. I won’t allow myself that because I thought it was wrong. I have been using the old self-flagellation tool on myself basically. Working myself to death manically or beating myself up for when I screw up. I am the hardest on myself. I need so much help setting hard boundaries. I have been to so much counseling and therapy and I mean good Biblical counseling and still am going. I have been through Step studies which so very much helped me. God has taught me so much and healed so many relationships. I am learning to tame the beast within. But I still doubt that God loves me enough to really help me or take care of me, yet I see hitherto the Lord hath ALWAYS provided. I hate what is wrong with me, I did not ask for it, I do not want it, yet I see how He is using it. He does not waste time or experience. I am just so needing rest right now and need to fall into His everlasting arms. And I simply do not know how to do that. I don’t know what a normal day’s schedule looks like and never have. I have always overdone because I have always been manic. So to me I don’t know when to quit. I have a life coach. But I am nearing my end with her as I feel I have learned so much and she has given me many tools. I know what I want to do with my life. I want to write books. I have written a children’s book about my daughter. I have not gotten it published. I know I can do that through Lulu first and go from there. But I want to write about my life story and help other women. I want to write a journal. I have so much material it is not funny. I have been told by many that I should write. I have had so much confirmation it is not funny. But I don’t know how to start and I am afraid. I am fearful of success because my dad squelched our desires. And I also want to start again, my own business of some type of decorating business but this time it will be a shop with recreated things of special finds that I have added my touch to. I desire this so much I feel it is what God wants me to do. But I am afraid. I am afraid to stick my toe in the water before God will part the seas. I don’t know if I have the faith and yet I have so much faith in my Papa because where else would I turn? From whence does my help come? Thanks for listening. I pray I can keep up with you this time around. You are awesome. May God cause His face to shine upon you and bless you.
In Christ,
Kelly Massey♥
WOW! Kelly I hear so many similarities in your comments no wonder we’re tired. And like you I began the 7DD and found myself with not enough time for God and myself. God was an after thought rather than a way make; I believe resulting in my increasing self-doubt. Kelly you ask a question “From whence does my help come?” I think it’s only appropriate that that question is not left dangling and Psalm 121:1-2 says “I will lift up my eyes to the hills-From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” Kelly I am excited to begin this bible study with you and so many others, and i thank God almighty for blessing us with this opportunity, at this time. Thank God for you even wanting to please people and I pray that order is brought to you in such a way that only the Lord can bring:). Renee thank you for your commitment to serving those God has chosen and being that vessel that gives me a route to escaping my own insecurities, and removes self-doubt and restores a confident heart.
God bless,
Diane
This is perfect timing for me. My life has been turned upside down recently with moving our entire household two times this summer and now my husband has a new job that will be taking him faraway traveling and we are hoping to see him once a month for a few days. I have a 16 year old who is nervous about getting her dirivers permit, and I’m nervous about being the one to teach her. And I have a 13 year old boy who I homeschool and who has his own teenage issues I’m trying to help him through. I am also the Women’s ministry leader at my church and I have a new part time job that I do out of my home, but I’m still learning how to do this job well. I feel like it is all too much, yet I know that this is what the Lord has for us right now. I am being greatly stretched in my walk with God and I am so thankful for this upcoming time in this devotion focusing on building my confidence in God and in turn having my confidence boosted knowing that I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me. Thank you for being sensitive to the Sprit in leading you to encourage all us women who are struggleing in this area. I’m praying for much fruit to come out of this time for all of us.
I will join you Renee. I am doing Melissa Taylor’s Online Study too. I can’t get enough reinforcement, can I? I need all the focus and support I can get. I am currently struggling in my “new creation” because I have a “big red target on my back” as my friend says it. I am struggling with so much insecurity even though I have already read the whole book. I am answering the reflection questions with the online study which is bringing on some healing from my past. I am finding out just how unhealthy I am emotionally and mentally and spiritually. I also purchased “Boundaries” and I am gathering all kinds of knowledge from those two wonderful men. I have lived such a dysfunctional life and I know God will create in me a new heart but it is just going to take some time…
Yes! I look forward to renewing my focus on losing that doubt weight!
I’m in Renee! I just finished reading your book and oh my goodness it was great!
I identified with the chapter on worry seeing that I’v struggled with this my whole life.
Things went down hill earlier this year and I realized that there was more going on
than just worry. With much prayer, I went to my dr. who is a Christian also, and she
put me on medication for depression. I believe as well that God works thru drs and
medications. The difference has been like night and day, I don’t have the dark cloud
hanging over me anymore. I”m a more joyful person and am at peace. Some people
believe that anti-depressants are a cop out but like my dr said none of us are wired the
same and sometimes we need a little help.
So I thank you for your book and I continue to pray for you & your ministry.
Blessings,
Janet W.
[email protected]
I would love to do this devotional again….I think on your web site would be perfect…..My profile pic is on facebook and I would love your prayers…..You are a friend on FB….One of the prayers on the devotional that I read everyday is the one that talks about I want to know what you have for me I don’t want to grow old and feel that I wasted what you had for me…that is my prayer I just celebrated a monumental birthday and time is going fast, i don’t want to waste another minute, i want to feel I am doing something worthwhile…Please, pray I will know what He has for me….
A good friend sent me your link and asked if I would like to join her on this spiritual and health related walk. She and I are just finishing Lysa’s Made To Crave program. I have lost only few pounds during the six weeks and have a long way to go in order to be at a healthy weight. I know I will need all the help I can get. So I was thrilled to know I can follow up with your study. You have heard my story many times I’m sure…lost a lot of pounds over the years but always gain them back…plus some! I know that God is faithful and will do what He promises…but I also know a lot of His promises depend on He and I being on the same page. The lie I keep telling myself is: “Why put all that you have into this? You know it will be just like all the other times you have been so enthusiastic about losing weight but you will gain back whatever weight you lose…you know you will, Chris!” I am 62 and really need to eat healthy. I just can’t seem to muster up the same enthusiasm I have in the past when trying different diets or eating programs. I work so hard to lose 50 pounds then end up going back to old eating habits eventually and regaining it. My want to isn’t where it needs to be. I ask myself continuously, “What will it take to motivate you this time, Chris…a stroke, heart attack, diabetes?” I just pray and stay in His word and take one day at a time. I believe God heard my lack of confidence and sent me you! I am looking forward to your insights and help. Thanks for the invitation!
I’m going to try this one more time. I’ve been struggling for so long now. I suffer from severe depression and have been on so many meds over the years and nothing seems to help. There are days I want to just go away and times I’ve begged and prayed to God to take me out of this world because I can’t deal with anything. I cry constantly and have no hope in anything anymore.
I am looking forward to this. There are days when I just don’t think that I can make it through. I know God is with me always but sometimes….it’s just hard! I can’t wait to start this with you all!!!
I am ready and waiting Renee. :0)
UGH! – I received your email and am writing very burdened. We got the notice that our home will be foreclosed on. My husband has been out a job for a year now and I gues we knew it was only a matter of time. But the papers make it real and final. We haven’t figured out how to tell the kids yet (12 & 9). Please pray for the Lord’s guidance for us and for the children. I know God loves us and has a plan, it’s just so vague and seemingly unattainable right now. It hurts deeply, to have failed.
This couldn’t come at a better time. Thank you so much for taking the time and helping us get through the issues that keep us from fully flowing in the calling God has for our lives. I hope the use what I learn to help the young women of the generation grow into strong confident women in Christ.
I am looking forward to joining you again.
Thank you for sending the email about the 7 day diet! I would love to be a part of it!
The timing for this couldn’t be better! I am sinking in doubt because of the hurt from my husband’s betrayals and I am struggling with a defiant 12-year-old daughter who has bipolar disorder and adhd. She is very difficult and violent at times and I just don’t know what I have left in me to finish this race. Praise God that I have Him to encourage me and lift me up through studies like these!!!!!!
This was right on time…I have been feeling down, lonely and desperate. financially my world is upsside down, I’m seeking employment in a new field, and field in which I believe I was led too. It’s been so discouraging of late and I’ve been grasping at straws to keep my faith up. Just last night (after the msg was sent about the 7day diet & before I actually read it) I stated to my friend and sister in Christ and classmate, “I think we need to fast on this job situation.” God is an ON TIME God, and I’m anxious to see what’s in store, b/c I’m feeling He’s led me to this point, and you will guide me to the next point. *Praising Him for where He’s brought me from, and Praising in advance for what He’s about to do*
Thank you for being His vessel!
Renee, giving me the opportunity to do the 7dd again could not have come at a better time. I can’t wait for the first email!
Suzanne from Wellington, New Zealand
Hi Renee,
Thank you for the invitaion to join you & His Women for a personal 7DD. I signed up & am looking forward to walking this part of our journey together. Thanks for being obedient to His voice & so open with your heart allowing Him to pour His Love thru you into our lives.
I pray for your continued preps, for the retreat & for the women He is gathering. May you each be changed by being in His presence & sharing your lives.
See you & all of these amazing women back here at your site on Sunday! I have NO Daoubt that we will be ‘lighter’ after this week together learning to doubt not but to trust God!
Have a JOY-Full Day!
Love Ya! Susie Cantrell 🙂
“I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.” ~Philippians 4:13
Hello Renee
First, I ‘d like to thank you for your dedication and obedience to the Lord. Thank your for your Ministry well. I am sure it is touching the lives of hundreds even millions of women, to be encouraged and to know that even though one may feel alone, we are never alone as God has promised He’ll never leave us nor foresake us. And in addition to that we have Proverbs31 Ministries and women like you teaching, encouraging , lifting up, interceding,caring for and loving us. We are truly blessed to have the resources / books/ emails/ devotions/Bible Studies/ etc… available to us.
Now then secondly, thank you for the 7 DD again. I did this on my own not too long ago when you offered it as we were waiting for your book The Confident Heart to be finished and released. I never did anything with what I learned as is a hugh issue with me. I am an avid reader, and love to study and learn new things. I accumulate all this knowledge, but when it comes to applying it there is this breakdown for some unknown reason on my part. I know what to do in most situations, but either procrastinate, or just choose to not apply the answer and say “oh well, I guess it’s not that bad”, or “I’m just meant to be this way” or “After I rest up I’ll do (fillin in the blank)” or , as I do a mental survey of the current state of my life as compare to where I’ve come fromm I will say something like this to myself, “I’m really not that bad off comparitively.” Even though I know full well that I needed to make some serious lifestyle changes years ago, or the failure to not change could usher me into a physically painful future and not so “Golden Years”.
I am looking forward to godly change (s) and applying what I receive as it applies to my body His Holy Temple. Thank you Renee
I pray God’s Blessings to you and your family and over your Ministry as well.
–Loretta–