Hi friends! I am so excited to start this “Confident Heart” journey with you!
We have almost 8000 women from around the US and the world signed up! I’ve been closing my eyes and picturing us gathering together in small groups (cause I’m a small group kinda girl). Anyhow, it’s so amazing to be here with YOU learning how we can live beyond our doubts by finding our security and confidence in the power of God’s loves and promises!
The first thing I want you to remember is: This is YOUR journey.
You’ll be reading the chapters. You will be asking and listening for God to speak to your heart. You’ll be the one who takes time to highlight sentences, promises and quotes you want to remember.
You’ll be looking for ways to apply and live what you are learning. You’ll be answering reflection questions and interacting with the group.
You’ll be doing the faith-work of not only believing in God, but really believing God.
I’ll be shepherding, leading, praying, encouraging, connecting and pacing us. I’ll be sharing more of my story – and inviting co-leaders who are helping me with the study to share theirs.
I’ll be praying for you, encouraging you, believing in you and challenging you – but you will make the heart investment and be the one who gets out pretty close to as much as you put in.
Here are a few IMPORTANT reminders:
What’s Needed: A copy of the book, a notebook, a Bible, and a ready-for-God- to-do-a-new-thing in you attitude!
When We’ll Meet: Because we’ll meet online, you can check in at your convenience any time of the day and week.
(Day 1) Assignment
Read the Acknowledgements. This will give you a peak into my current personal life and I’ll be asking you to share about yourself later this week too. 🙂
Read Chapter 1.
- If you don’t have your book yet, you can click here to read Chapter 1 .
- Highlight verses and sentences that grab your attention or tug on your heart.
- Write down what you sense God is speaking to your heart in the margins of your book or in a journal/notebook.
- If you’ve already read chapter 1, share your thoughts here. And then take time to look up the verses mentioned in the chapter prayer and answer the questions at the end of the chapter.
Connecting in Community: Click “Share Your Thoughts” below and let’s all answer this question:
What sentences in Chapter 1 resonate with your heart or speak to you in a personal way? How did you relate to my story in this chapter?
I alsp felt “spoken to” beginning in the forward. I have “daddy” issues. Rejection as a child, teen and adult from parents hurts. I think I am too old to feel this hurt and even anger at times. That I will outgrow these feelings but Im not in my mid 30s, married, with children and still experience these feelings. I too searched for love in all the wrong places. Going around with my little love cup asking any one and any thing to fill it up. What my cup was filled with was regrets the devil enjoys still reminding me of. God led me to a good, Godly man. But I wanted him to fix me and my brokeness. I learned through our marriage with Gods guidance I was putting too much on my husband. Its Gods job that He enjoys fixing our brokeness. I struggle so much with confidence still. Im a pastors wife. To think God would put me in this position is humbling, people ask me for counsel so I went to school because I wanted to give good counsel and feel adaquate. I still dont. I still feel so inadaquate in almost every area. Gods with me, I know this and cherish that, but I still feel like a failure and not good enough. I am looking forward to what the Lord is going to teach me through your words in this book. Thank you for letting me be able to open up in this safe environment. God bless.
Thank you Renee for offering this study. I love to study God’s Word and enjoy learning more and more. I am a facilitator of our Morning Bible Study at our church and just really felt that God told me to prepare myself for teaching more women about who we are in Christ and helping them to understand what God has for their lives. That is how I came to sign up for this study, I have been not only reading the Word but also have recently ordered more books that will help me minister to other women. I am a first hand believer in the fact that through Christ Jesus, we can overcome any circumstances and move from being victims to being victors through Christ Jesus.. Thank you and I look forward to learning from all of the women participating in this study. God Bless you!
“Sometimes we agree with them and they become our own.”
That sums up my life. I can tell you all the good things I should say and believe, but I won’t say them and I won’t believe them. They don’t seem like lies at this point; they’re the truth. I’m unloveable and unlikeable.
I won’t say that I’ve read every comment, but I’ve read many, skimmed a lot, and even did a few keyword searches, and I don’t think there is anybody else (so far, at least) who has never married. Some are divorced or widowed, but at least someone loved them enough once to marry them.
And I know, before someone tells me–don’t make marriage an idol, a husband won’t save you, you can still be lonely and be married, etc., etc. I know. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m in my thirties and a guy has never even looked at me twice (or probably even once). In a Christian world where everything is about marriage and babies, I’m very much on the outside looking in.
Wanted to make sure you saw this!
Laura says:
April 2, 2013 at 1:16 am
Someone posted something that broke my heart about a man never looking at her twice…but I can’t find it in the comments. I began praying for you (I believe your name is Jennifer) and a scripture popped into my mind immediately: “As it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” (1 Cor 2:9-10)
I believe God wants you to hold onto that promise. I will fall asleep praying for your precious heart
I have always felt self doubt in many areas of my life. The analogy of the large shadow really fit how I feel about myself. For many years I did not feel worthy of many different types of relationships. When I was young I did some things that could have ended me up in jail. By the grace of God I was not taken to jail, and was able to repay my debt without having anything on my record. This happened well over 20 years ago, and up until about 3-4 years ago I did not feel worthy, loved, and I even felt judged by people who didn’t even know my story. I finally was able to forgive myself, and move forward in my walk with Christ. Today something very similar is happening in my life only this time I did not do it, and at first all I could think was that was going to have to relive the terrible feeling of not being worthy, and being judged allover again, so the negatives started swirling in my head. Then I was invited to go to winter camp with the youth from our church, and the band there sang a song that said God worked all things for the good of those who believe, at that moment I just knew that God was going to perform a miracle, and find me innocent of this terrible thing I am being accused of, and he was using this terrible thing as a way to heal my family. At this moment I am 2 weeks away from my miracle, and my family is on the mend. So, I am standing in my belief that God does and is working all things for the good.
Shannon that is wonderful news. Thank you so much for sharing what God is doing in your life.
What jumped off the page was the sentence “If God calls you to do something, shouldn’t you feel confident about it? Shouldn’t you want to do it?” I feel like God is pulling me to be more involved in my church ..and I am jumping in , but there is a part of me that hangs on the side not feeling that I am good enough….or worse yet that I will fail and drown in my inadequacies (whether real or imagined) I see that there are so many that can quote scripture as quickly as they can say their own name and then there’s me…a person who has trouble finding the verses during service. I feel like saying….”who me? you want me to do what?…You must have the wrong person.” Knowing that God just does not make mistakes helps me to keep going on…..but I am still afraid.
I’m feeling so much better after reading some of your posts…I know for sure now that I’m not alone in my struggles. I’ve grown up in a Christian home all my life, and since about my freshman year of college have really started to grow my relationship with Jesus. However, I have so many moments when I feel a little out of touch with Him, not able to overcome my own emotions. From there it spirals into thinking that I’m failing or doubting God because I’m not as “strong” as I should be. I’m praying that through this online study I’ll be able to realize that I don’t need to rely on MY strength, but to fully trust Gid to be all that I need, and not rely on my own understanding, to know He’s equipped me to get through all the things He allows to cross my path. This is my 2nd time reading ACH, and 1st time doing the online study, I’m hoping discussing it with a group will help expand what I’m reading/thinking. I think a few of the sentences that jumped out at me were “You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.” (Pg 22) “God doesn’t want us stuck in a cycle of defeat or living in the shadows of doubt. He reminds us in Isaiah 49:23. (Pg 23) and “He’s led me beyond believing in Him to really believing Him by relying on the power of His words and living like they are true, no matter what my feelings tell me.” (Pg 24) that last sentence, about not letting feelings overtake is something I need to focus on. I have PTSD/anxiety, and oftentimes I let my fear take over and it becomes crippling. I’m hoping I can work through ths book again, and really “let go and let God”.
It’s funny how lack of confidence can almost keep me from posting 🙂 My lack of what to say and how to say it always seems to creep in…..
I loved the part about seeing the shadows because of turning away from the light. I don’t feel I’ve as much turned away but just not listened. I’m somewhat afraid of the light for what I might hear? If I don’t stop and listen I can’t hear what He may be asking and with that I’m thinking if He doesn’t ask I cannot fail him.
I am excited to begin this study. I read the book last summer on my own but hope to gain more this time working as a group.
Thanks Renee!
Welcome Jfrink glad we r in this together.
“As God’s girls, we need to know and believe that change IS possible”!!! Amen!! With trusting in God our hearts can be changed and WE CAN have A Confident Heart! I tend to pray daily not only for God to help me have a confident heart but I pray for God to help all of us have one, we can’t do it on our own! God is almighty and with Him we can be confident women for God!
Laura,
Your absolutely right so we can’t let the
enemy win God wins and that’s awesome.
Godbless 🙂
Jfrink,
We’re never alone plus God is in our lives.
So we’re very lucky that we r not Alone.
Thanks 🙂
Jfrink,
Fear is a huge blocker in people’s lives. We
just have to have faith. Thanks for sharing
Godbless 🙂
I have often struggled with self-doubt but never associated it with being out of God’s will until I read “These voices of insecurity that cast shadows of doubt over our perspective and keep us from becoming the women we want to be -the women God created us to be.”. It is amazing how one sentence can change your entire perspective. I am a (very new at it) single mother and am continually trying to build my two young daughters’ confidence. This has shown me a new way to show them that their doubts are not of God and believing those doubts will make us fall out of God’s will. Thank you, Renee, for sharing this angle of self-doubt in your study!
The part about not just Believing in him…but Believe him. That really hit home…my lack of trust interfers with me believing in to many things. “Those that hope in me will not be disappointed” thats what it all boils down to. If we do not trust others or ourselves then how do we trust in God. I believe this study will be a huge lesson in trusting God, myself and others. If I can trust God then I feel like I will learn to trust myself and the lack of confidence will be erased and I can truly live the life I am suppose to live.
I too am SO excited for this study! The Lord has been calling to me recently but I’ve been struggling to listen to HIM and hear what HE has to say. I’m praying that through this exercise and lots of prayer that I will learn to trust in HIM by trusting in HIS words. I’m ready to stop asking others to fill up my heart shaped cup and learn to lean on HIM!
Joyce,
Thanks your absolutely right time to get out
of our comfort zone. Thanks for sharing take
care Godbless 🙂
My husband died it will be 6 yrs ago this June. I married him when in was 18…was married 23 yrs when he died….I recently was dating a man for almost 3 yrs, I knew he was not who God had chosen for me but because of my insecurities and doubts I stayed in this relationship much longer then I knew I should of. It has only been 2 months since I broke up with him so my heart is still healing, but I let this man shake my foundation…and create even more insecurities then I already were battling…I am hoping this book helps teach me how to be so confident in myself that I can never be shaken again!! I know God has a plan and purpose for my life but it has been hard dealing with the loneliness….I want to believe God more then anything!! that’s why I am here doing this study!…:)
Pam, my husband also went to be with Jesus after 30 years of marriage and I was devastated, but God in His faithfulness has brought beauty out of the ashes and I believe that’s what He wants for you too!
Hearts need time to heal and 2 months is not a long time, I will pray for your heart and for your loneliness!!
Please stay with this Bible study to the end, I know it will help you to heal and to grow in His strength.
He is faithful and you are worthy of His love. Take all you thoughts captive and align them with the truth about who you are in Jesus! He loves you and you are His creation, perfect in His eyes.
I would ask others to pray for Pam too, being a widow is so hard and you don’t know until you get there yourself!
I’m so sorry for what you have gone through. I married my now ex husband at 18 and we were together for 18 years and my boyfriend of over 1year recently broke up with me.
Regret is a bitter pill to swallow and harder the older we get.
I pray we all get the doubt out of hearts and the hope back in.
“We will find our heart’s confidence in Christ as we learn how to rely on the power of His promises in our everyday lives.
I continue to work on relying on God’s word all day. It all seems so right and easy in the morning as I complete my daily devotions. Then I reach then end of the day and realize how littleI went back to God’s word throughout the day. I believe this is the key to my confident heart. Let the journey begin!
Hi Sasha,
That sounds just like me. I awake early in the morning to be with Him and am blessed with peace and happiness. Then my day starts…busyness, difficult family situations and noticing my own weaknesses causes my insecurity to grow.
This insecurity is going to stop because I can see how much it is robbing me of joy, doing good deeds and holding me back.
I agree with you, the key is to return to His words throughout the day and think on them and allow them to create confidence. His words prevent doubts and fears from being planted in our hearts.
“You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.”
I hope you are able to find ways to return to His word throughout the day. Thanks for sharing.
Funny when I signed up for this I knew it was something I could benefit from, then the book came and guess what happened? I heard a voice say “no, this isn’t for you”! But -I am here. I want a confident heart ! I want the Father to mold my heart so the doubt can stop! Doubt in His love for me when I fall short, doubt in trusting the Father in my husbands faithfulness to me, doubting that I am a good mother after being given a second chance to have another child, 20 years after my first. Doubt that I can be the head of my church’s prison ministry after all I did 8 years in there and the Father has indeed equipped me…still I doubt after He has shown me so much. …. I look forward to His transformation in this journey – Thank you
amen!
Glad you’re here, I look forward to this journey with you and am committed to taking it to the end, this is the season in my life to grow and be stretched by God! This is the day of the Lord!
Amen Maggie! It is isn’t it?!
the part of chapter one I related to the most was when she said, “The unknown is too scary. Although you’ve been miserable, at least the misery is familiar where you are now.” and “Doubt keeps us from believing things can get better. Doubt convinces us that it’s not worth the effort”. I truly believe nothing will change for me. I will always be stuck where I am mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And where I am is so familiar its comforting in a sad and twisted way. Thinking about changing is scary, I get discouraged, and feel alone and ashamed I feel this way. I understood where Renee was coming from when she started doubting herself. I know deep down there is this amazing I am meant to be. I just wished I could see her the way others did.
I know the feeling, i’m just about done with my Bachelor’s degree. I had been doing the same job for over 8 years, in the same place. With graduation nearing, i thought it was time to get our of my comfort zone. Even though i felt miserable at my job, it was what i knew.
I just started a new job 2 weeks ago, i believe that God started working on me leaving, pushing me out of my comfort zone..
I understand how you feel, we have to have faith and go out there
The first thing that spoke to me was the fact Renee has pointed out the shadow of doubt is a distorted figure. It is truly much larger than it should be. We have imagined it to be more powerful than it actually is and a certain force has helped it grow larger than than the real true size of the fear. God allows us to step into His light and the shadow shrinks and disappears.When we walk in the light of His fellowship doubts will disappear and we can have confidence to do anything.God has spoken that perfect love casts out all fear. 1 John 4:18
This study comes at a perfect time, i was looking for a resource to delve into God’s word. With being a mom, working and going to school Full time. I felt guilty spending anymore time outside of the house. I love that i can dig into his word from the comfort of my home and i’m able to spend time with family.
I related with your personal story, i was born to parents with a serious drug addiction. Because of this i was constantly being shuffled from my mom to my grandparents house. I felt so out of place everywhere i went.
While reading that 1st chapter of the book that the thing that spoke to me was Rom 12:2 “the way you think, will determine the way you feel and eventually transform the way you live”
My grandfather was a pastor and i always remember him telling me that we dont go by what we feel. I thought it was such an odd concept but as i’ve gotten older i understand what he was trying to tell me. Feelings can at times be paralyzing.
This is the very first time that I have ever taken part in an online study… And of course, my insecurities told me “This isn’t for you… These women are spiritual women. You are mediocre at best!” Then God spoke to me and said, “this is exactly what you need.” So here I am.
The sentence that really touched my heart was this: “As God’s girls, we need to know and believe that change is possible.” I believe change is possible and I believe this study is my starting point.
I really enjoyed the first chapter, and it really sang out! I was once very trapped in self doubt, stuck in criticism, and it was faith in God, a great husband that brought out the “sunshine” and the fact that we can just NIKE it… just do it! I look forward to the next chapters.
What really resonated with me were the thoughts of “I can’t do this. It’s too hard.” I must say these things to myself a zillion times a day, often from the moment I wake up.
Expecting God to do a ‘New’ thing! Yes, I am so ready to let God’s Word change the way I think, which will determine the way I feel and eventually change the way I live! (pg. 24). I am extremely excited to be part of this study! Thank you Renee for your obedience to God, and allowing Him to use you in such a monumental way!
I realize as I read these comments that I am not alone! Hallelujah! I have felt like God’s promises and blessings were for everyone but me. I’m not important enough, I don’t do enough, why would God notice a loser like me? I don’t even know why I think that way, since I have a pretty darn good life. But I pray that this study helps me realize these negative thoughts are not God’s thoughts. I plan to pray the prayer from chapter one at least twice a day until the next week. I need to engrave God’s promises in my heart so I don’t forget that I am very precious to God (Daniel 10:19).
I love the words and assurance from the prayer: “my confidence is in Christ and I am no longer one who shrinks back and is destroyed, but one who believes and is saved.”
I am going to “dwell in the assurance of Whose I am and who I am in Him”.
Thank you.
“You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light.. Turn back to the light ” This speaks to me when doubt, insecurities etc fill me. Which seems to be a lot lately.
Reading this chapter reminded e of two key things my mother said to me when I was a teenager that sort of governed the way I look at myself the rest of my life. The first thing she said was in response to a question ,y older brother posed to her when the three of us were in our kitchen. My mother and I were working on a cake or something like that at the counter next to the stove. Mom was criticizing something I was doing and my brother said ‘mom, do you ever praise Stephanie for anything?”. Mom’s response was ‘when she does something worth praising I am sure I will.” The other time was when I was about 17 and not very slim. She said to me ‘it’s no wonder you don’t have a boyfriend. You don’t have a very pleasing package.” This was mom’s way of encouraging us to fix a flaw. Hurt my feelings but mom did’t care. There was a problem and it had to be worked on.
I thank you for writing this book and am very excited about this bible study. I can really relate to you saying that you were needing someone to “fill your cup.” This book came to me at the best time it could have. I really need to reconnect with God and need to gain a lot of confidence. I am currently a single mom of three children. I am going through a divorce from an abusive husband. I am very broken and torn to shreds as are my children. I am really looking forward to moving along in this book and already feel after reading the first chapter that this is truly a blessing.
I relate to your story, Renee, first hand, especially when you spoke about newlywed marriage and trust issues. This was a big struggle for us initially. But with God’s help we have been able to address this concern and move forward into a more rewarding marriage.
More recently, God has been speaking to me and calling towards a new line of work, but as much as I want to persue His calling, I get so far and then let doubt and the “negative energy” pull me down and tell me I can’t do it because I’m not god enough. This first chapter has already given me a boost of confidence to turn back towards the light and forge ahead because He will be there to help me every step of the way.
I’m already being encouraged! On page 24, I love your statement “…when I choose to dwell in the assurance of Whose I am and who I am in Him, I have a confident heart.” I also love that you included a verse that has a very special meaning for me – “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Is 43:19). I am grateful to be reminded of His promise that even in the darkest valleys where we can feel so alone and feel like we aren’t doing anything right, God is right there with us, making something new out of the waste. Love it!!
one of the many phrases that resonated w/ me was ‘doubt will win every time and our hearts will be eroded by attitudes and emotions of defeat’…growing up w/ a teen mother and a bio-father who abandoned us…trust was not something I even had a concept of. I had so many moments where I would cry & ask God ‘why’…those moments carried over into my marriage and adult relationships. The only thing I had confidence in was my ability to take care of myself & not rely on anyone. I grew up feeling defeated, cheated, rejected, abandoned, unworthy, unloved. It took me 13 years and a lot of therapy to surrender to my sweet husband’s love…I could not be confident it was sincere.
With the help of extensive therapy, loving spouse, loving safe friends, I was able to do a lot of healing. This book came at right time after almost a year of my therapist walking me thru Search for Significance…I have been praying for my heart to believe & have confidence in His love for me. I am looking forward to buliding on the truths I learned in Search for Significance, however geared towards my female heart. Always room to grow & stretch in my relationship w/ the Lord…and gaining God-confidence in my heart to finally have rest in Him.
I am so excited to start this Bible study. For a long while, I have been living in the shadows of doubt and hopelessness. I am ready to allow God to light my path into freedom and confidence! I will also be sharing my journey on my Facebook. I know there are some who are in the same place as I am and I want to encourage those to trust in our LORD!!!
I can’t wait to see what God has in store! I am ready to have a Confident Heart, I am so tired of Lu ing in the shadows of my doubt, it is something I struggle with not just daily but hourly! I am to really believe Him and relying and praying His words. I pray that I will be able to cast away the shadows and always look toward the light!!
Oh sweet friends, how I wish I could leave a comment and a prayer on each of your notes. My heart is bursting with so much emotion – joy that you’re hear, sadness for your hurts, hope for you healing, thankfulness for this time together.
He is up to something big. Jesus came to set you free!! It’s time for the enemy to be defeated. Can you imagine the power of this many women shutting down our doubts and letting God replace every single lie and insecurity with confidence and truth. Oh my goodness, generations can be changed. The world can be changed.
You are so much more than you think. You are chosen, called, pursued, valuable and loved. And you are about to be redeemed from all that has held you back. Let Jesus have His way my friends – give HIM your WHOLE heart tonight. Invite HIM to erase what was and make room for what is – He’s come for you!! He wants to love you into a place of beauty from the ashes. I can’t wait to watch His glory increase in each of your lives!!!
All for HIM!
Renee
Thank you for this study! I was a little hesitant doing a study online because I wasn’t sure how it would work out, but I am enjoying it so far and reading what all the ladies are posting. I feel like I am in a rut right now and suffering from “stinkin thinkin.” I know it is because I am not consistently in His Word and I love the reminder from Ch 1 to pray scripture out loud. It’s nice to know someone is in my (our) corner and praying for us ladies out here who need some encouragement. It’s time for a change in my way of doing life and I’m hoping and praying to turn a corner soon!
I am a notorious people pleaser, and i always put way too much pressure on myself for fear of letting others down or not living up to expectations. I am overly critical of myself and constantly doubt my abilities to ” measure up”. Ive always searched for approval and praise and am quickly disappointed when the same is not done for me in return or if what i do is overlooked. My self-doubt and insecurities makes it hard to live life to it ffullest. Reading through so many posts helps me realize that God places certain situations in your path to build you up, make you stronger, and provide comfort in knowing we are never alone. Looking forward to some breakthroughs and changes in the way i think about myself…and shifting that to how God views me: perfectand complete! Thankful for this study already. Thanks to all who shared their stories!!
Wow, meggen,
Reading your post was like reading something I had written about myself….We are so much alike….although I take up a notch further by including God in the pleasing …I want to make him smile but I feel like I am always letting him down…I feel like no matter how many times he brings me to something I never learn it without screwing it up first! I am hoping that I learn through this study to let go of all this pleasing stuff and just start living out his will for my life!
its hard for me to put my thoughts down on paper, its really hard for me, so i will try to explain this the best i can, i am in a season right now where i have noone to encourage me , that i hear from God that i know what He said, i still have those doubts, even after i have obeyed things He has told me and seen it come to fruition. I want to have a confident heart so i dont have to suffer with these doubts anymore, im sick of them. God bless all.
Lisa, I pray that God works through this study to help you to release your doubts and fears. I also pray that this online community will be a great source of help and encouragement for you.
John 12:13
They took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed
is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
I am very excited about this online study. I realized after reading chapter 1 that I do struggle with self doubt even though most people would say I am a very confident person. I too seem to second guess myself and my self worth. I find myself saying, you could never do that or I will never have the confidence I need to get there. What spoke to me most was page 22 ” you can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light”. I also loved the ” It’s not supposed to be this way” paragraph. I am going to start praying God’s word out loud! I love the statement “When we pray God’s words out loud and hear them, the Holy Spirit engraves them on our hearts and writes them in our thoughts.”
Thank you to everyone and Renee! I have spent hours reading over your comments and already know that God is working through this study!
Renee, I first heard the story you shared about the ‘shadow of doubt’ on Women’s Ministry.net, when you did a guest video. That story made a tremendous impression on me! And it was also my introduction to you!
The timing of this Bible study with the current events in my life couldn’t have been more appropriate. My husband submitted his paperwork for a May 1 retirement so we can go into full time ministry. It’s a huge leap of faith!
My earliest memory of feeling insecure is from when I was between 8-10. Long story. And it’s definitely kept me from stepping out before. What doubt whispers to me is, “You’re not good enough; you can’t be good enough — you’re broken inside.” When I read Scriptures like Isaiah 49:23 and 43:19 and Romans 8:28, it makes my heart flutter. It’s weird. And I’m not sure I can explain this … I know how those Words apply to my current life and try to live in belief … but with regard to past events … they still have a stronghold. So, full circle, the thing that most hinders me from living with God-confidence is that whisper, “You’re not good enough.”
A woman with a confident heart … she’s humble–secure in and quick to acknowledge God’s provision and direction.
Somehow I accidentally read the foreword and I now realize it was no accident at all. I don’t think I’ve ever spent an hour and a half really STUDYING God’s Word! But the TRUTH just jumped out over and over again – as if to say HEY YOU – YEAH, you say you can’t really get into my Word, well, let me put it to you another way! I bought my book, my journal, had my Bible ready and even bought a keychain that you can write your own scriptures on! I wrote every scripture listed and on the back of each card I wrote the “TRUTH” that it was speaking directly to me! I didn’t realize God DOES want to speak to me! I’ve been paralyzed for so long, that it’s become my identity. I’ve owned fear so much that I can’t imagine freedom. I’ve hidden behind my facade for so long, that I can’t even fathom what living breathing promises in my life will even look like! But, tonight, I lay it all down. I will no longer simply “go through the motions” – I will be vulnerable even to the point of embarrassment. I’ve been “operating as a Christian” for almost 19 years now, but just now feel like I’m going to actually encounter Christ. He hasn’t been lost….I have. I’m ready to take this on…with everything I am!
I was very glad to read that God says with confidence that things can change on page 23. “See I am doing a new thing!” “I am working all things together for good, because you love me and are called according to my purpose.” ” All things are possible to them who believes.” Those verses gave me such comfort and power to know that God is there and He can change things for the good. Blessed to be a part of this study!!!!
The sentence that spoke to me in a personal way was “The God of hope is calling you out of the shadow of your doubts so you can live with a condifent heart!” I know God is calliing me to a higher level in Him but everytime I move forward, the doubt or fear paralyze me from being all God has called me to be.
Renee, I could so relate to your story. I have an assignment at my church this week and I am trying not to allow doubt to come in and hinder what God would have me to do for His glory! I thank you for sharing because it opened my eyes to see what it really is that is causing this roller coaster ride in my christian journey. I am excited about what God is going to do in all of our lives during this online study. Be blessed ladies and let’s keep each other lifted in prayer.
The sentence that stood out to me was “perhaps you are good at hiding your doubts and no one but you knows the paralyzingly power they have on your life.”. I struggle with having to appear to always have it together when the reality is I definitely do not. Natalie Grant’s song “The Real Me” pretty much sums it up! I want to be confident enough in myself that I can be real with those around me.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, for the Lord will be his confidence…..I have prayed this many times throughout the day today & feel it has helped me manage my insecurities and self doubt. Thank you for making it easier to “stand in the light” on this day!
As I was reading the chapter, I was thinking about when I lost my confidence. I have had it so many times in my life, and had to regain it many times also. Obviously, I haven’t mastered it. After the breakup of my first marriage, I was completely broken … but God was so faithful to put people in my life to encourage me along the way, and I rediscovered strength and confidence in Him. Then he put an amazing man in my path, and my life changed completely. As much as I love him, it has been a tremendous adjustment to move out of state with my husband and leave behind friends, family, job, and a tremendous church family that supported me through so much before. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am where God wants me to be, doing the work that He had planned for me when we moved. So why do I feel such a lack of confidence in so many areas? I am looking forward to what God has in store for this journey.
Two things stuck out to me when starting to dive into this devotion in chapter 1:
“Doubt robs of us joy”. This is SO true and I’ve seen this in so many areas of my life over the years and I’m DONE. Jesus said, ‘it is finished” and I need to cling to that promise!! I want joy and I want it for myself and for my family. Just as Renee pointed out, that “self doubt blocks the promise of God”, I need to meet this issue head on and make it a part of my daily life because it’s no longer welcome to rob me of any of Jesus’s love for me and HIs plans for me.
The 2nd point I felt impressed on me was that this, like anything, is a process. Today is step 1 in the right direction. This is me moving out of the shadow and into the light. I’m glad to have someone to go through it with!
The statement that stood out to me was, “Just like my shadow on the wall was distorting my shape, my doubt was distorting my thoughts and overpowering my emotions with confusion and questions.” My head knowledge knows that God loves me and I am living in His will to the best of my ability, but Satan works full-time sending doubts as I constantly compare myself to others, and fall into those shadows. If I can just recognize when I’m looking at shadow so I can turn back around!