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?
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I have been lost and just exisiting for the last 3 years. I am thankful to Renee for writing this book.I feel like things are never going to change in my life and that I don’t have anything to hope for any more. I keep wondering what’s the matter with me? I am really good at hiding how I feel from others , heck, even from myself. The self doubt, panic, and no confidence in myself is robbing me of any happiness, joy , and peace.I set goals make some progress, then I quit, I don’t understand why I do this! So I guess I have j quit for good, I give up! The pain inside of me hurts so bad. My mother never wanted me and abused me in many ways. My husband has hurt me with lies, porn, and touching women at work. I just wonder why I wasn’t enough for either one of them?!
The sentence that struck me was about being good at hiding my doubts and no one knows the PARALYZING POWER they have on my life. I suffer from what I like to call “death by recliner”. I function day to day seemingly fine. I go to school everyday, teach my children, write my lessons, interact and laugh with my colleagues and no one knows that when I get home I plop into my recliner and am overcome with sadness, loneliness, and a great sense of inadequacy which make it difficult to rise up both physically and emotionally. It is exhausting living a double life! I am active in my church and my church family doesn’t know the real me either. Part of me doesn’t want them to and part of me longs for someone to recognize that I am struggling and offer to help me through it. I have begun recently to experience an awakening (a gift fro God I am sure) to things in my life that have contributed to what I am feeling and I am truly working hard to find healing. This study being one step in that direction. I feel blessed to be on this journey!
I could remember having self-doubt as early as 6-7 years old. There are so many things I wanted to do but never tried or followed through with because I thought I would just fail. Now that I am an adult woman and have been ministering to other women for the past 3-4 yrs, the statement on page 16 of the book, really made me realized I’m not the only one: “I wondered if perhaps my self-doubt was a sign I was in the wrong calling. I mean, if God calls you to do something, shouldn’t you feel confident about it?” That has been my struggle for the entire time, even though the blessings are there, I still didn’t see them or acknowledged them.
My prayer is that during these weeks, I will surrender all that I am and put all my trust and hope in Him. I know in my heart that God has called me into ministering to women and I pray I will not spend another day not doing God’s work because my lack of confidence. I will be made anew!!
Hi Renee,
This study group is a complete God send. I feel the way I grew up learning about God has shaped the way I approach Him. I am trying desperately to hear him and to BELIEVE what He says, not just believe in Him. My husband of 20 years (I’m 40 so that is half my life) walked out on me and my three children. He spent yesterday at Easter services with his mistress while never once trying to see his wife or children (although we were not at the same church, I cannot for the life of me understand how he thinks it is okay to stand in the house of the Lord with the woman he is cheating on me with). I have been having daily panic attacks and trying so hard to become confident and not ask “why am I not good enough”. Thank you for writing this book and organizing this study, I am praying I will be changed and become secure in God’s promises…not just believe them, but believe IN them.
Big hugs to you, Meg! Keep praying and reaching for God because he adores you and wants you engaged with him. May he bless you and comfort you on this journey!
Thank you so much Cyndy 🙂
My dear sisters you are not alone, I have struggled with these issues my whole entire life, I have always asked myself “what was wrong with me, why am I so insecure with myself?” I have been through so many challenges in life and struggles of feeling unworthy, unloved, alone, scared, not good enough, not strong enough, just plain self doubt all the way around. God has been working through me my whole entire life but it just has been the past few years I have put the pieces together. My biggest challenge right now is God has led me in a direction of seeing how strong I really am. Several years ago I was a liturgical dance instructor for a church I use to belong to, and about a 2 years ago I started working out and went to a dance fitness class. since I was so unhappy where my life was going, a year ago I became certified to teach, but the music didn’t inspire me as much as uplifting Christian music, God started working in me as I started to choreograph my own routines, I wanted to encourage others around me in my new church and community, that through all things if we put our full focus on what really matters in life everything else will fall into place. But as I was doing my classes I heard a voice of self doubt come over me, a voice of I”ll never be good enough, it is very hard to overcome these feelings when you don’t have support from family, but as I’m reading this I am learning it doesn’t matter what others think of you, I am doing this because this is the direction the Lord has asked me to follow, I think the biggest challenge is going out in the community to spread the word to others about Christ, I could be completely booed and shunned and am I strong enough for this?? Since in my area I’m the only fitness instructor that turned to all Christian music, people have laughed at me, called me crazy, I’m good when I do the routines for my class at church, it’s other places I just seize up and it over powers me.
Rom 8:28 speaks volumes to me, I must trust that whatever obstacle that have been placed in my way. God knows my path since he has already laid the foundation for me to follow, I just need to focus on him and ask for his help and strength.
I feel like this is the book & Bible study that I’ve been searching for & needing for a very long time. I can’t put the book down, & even though we’re only supposed to read chapter one (1) for now, I’ve moved on to chapter three (3). I have always wondered why even though in the midst of all the goodness in my life that I still always felt empty inside & that nothing was or is ever enough for me. I’m extremely insecure, & codependent in my relationships with men. I have always felt like I need a man to complete me, but all I need to complete me is God. None of my relationships have ever worked out & I’ve lost a few really good friends by being so needy & clingy. It’s draining for most & they eventually have to walk away to safeguard themselves. Everyone says why can’t I see the goodness in myself (what others see in me), after reading just the 1st three (3) chapters, I’m finally beginning to see what I’ve truly been missing & have needed so desparately in my life & in my heart. God is the only answer to my emptiness. He loves me unconditionally, & does not pass judgement on me like so many others have & still do. I’m truly looking forward to this Bible study in hopes that it can free me in a sense. I have always believed in God but never had the close relationship that I’ve always needed to have with Him. I’m hoping that this study will teach me how to develop that relationship to it’s fullest. God Bless all of you taking this Bible Study, feels good to know that I’m not alone.
I really enjoyed chapter 1. Something that stuck out to me was when it talks about self-doubt blocks the promise of Gods power and truth to change us from the inside out so that we can live with a confident heart. I was 14 when my dad died and since then i have really struggled with self doubt. Not having a positive father figure growing up in the most important times in my life to really tell me who I am and to have a dad who really loved me.
My confidence has been shaken a lot recently with a move to a new town where I don’t know many people, being newly married and in a new job where some of my beliefs are being called into question. This study comes at a good time for me that way! I liked Hebrews 10: 35, 36 and 39. What a great command from God, a promise as well and a reminder of who I am and the confidence I can have in standing as one who believes and is saved!
Resonated thoughts:
1. Doubt and hope cannot live in our hearts at the same time. pg.23 (spiritual warfare)
We live in a fallen world. We believe people’s comments good and bad! However it seem the bad out weight the good. We believe satan’s lies rather than GOD”S TRUTH. Each and everyone of us is here for a reason, fighting against satan lies so that we can learn to live in the God’s truth. Satan does not want us to do God’s will, so he tries to fill us with doubt. But God’s words can set up free. I have lived in doubt so much of my life, and have been a people pleaser rather than a God pleaser.
2. When we pray God’s word out loud, and hear them, the Holy Spirit engraves them on our hearts and writes them in our thoughts. Which then give me the confidence that God’s is who HE says HE is. Loved all the bible verses to look up at the end of the chapter. Hebrews 10:35-36- Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. PATIENTS PATIENTS I know that is God’s will for me so that I can become mature seeking God’s will for my life.
Thank you Renee for this bible Study. I can’t wait for the next step.
On page 23 it said that God doesnt want us stuck in a cycle of defeat or living in the shadows of doubt. Isaiah 49:23 tells us that when we hope in the Lord we will not be disappointed. This was a wonderful thing for me. I reread it many times, as I have been stuck in that bad cycle. I love later on when she writes that God declares with confedence that things CAN change. Praise God for wonderful words of encouragemen!!!!!
The sentence that really stuck out for me was, “Self- Doubt blocks the promise of God’s power and truth to change us from the inside out so that we can live with a confident heart.” I am a new Christian. I have always know about God and Jesus, but this is the first time I am actually serious about it. Out of all of my family and friends only three people are actually excited for me in following Jesus. So I am constantly doubting if I am making the right decision. But I know I am and I can feel God being beside me and helping me. I will cut back on tv and on facebook. I will also go to bed earlier to get up earlier to do this bible study and read my bible.
I am very excited to start this bible study, because this is my first bible study and my aunt and I are doing this together and on here with all you ladies and Renee.
I have always had self-doubt. I don’t remember not having it. It has mirrored my entire life. I know that God does not want me to live with self-doubt,but I have never allowed Him to help me conquer it. My prayer is that through this study I can open my heart to be transformed and renewed to be a confident woman of God. The line on page 23, “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”, really spoke to me. I am so bad about reacting and living according to how I feel. I am ready to be changed.
I feel the exact same way, Tina ~ let’s be changed!
“You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.”
I love this line, because it really visually demonstrates what is going on in my head when I doubt God’s promises or get overwhelmed in circumstances. Renee’s story captures themany scenario’s in my life when God is asking me to do something outside my comfort zone or NOT to do something as I am tempted to focus on the what-ifs instead of His promises.
Reading the promises of God out loud, and even having someone read it to you is more powerful than anything else – it is like listening to the most powerful piece of music that truly does move the soul and secures it on the foundation that it needs to be set on. Learning to not be “shaken”.
In the shadow of doubt, insecurity paralyzes us…… so true. I have fought this battle for so long. I am so ready to let His Word change the way I think, which will determine the way I feel and eventually transform the way I live!!!! Thankful for this opportunity to take this journey and know that I am not alone with these struggles.
I can relate doubt keeping you from trying things. It has kept me from so much and I don’t think I realized it until I thought about it in this book. I believe doubt and fear are compatriots in the war against my mind and keep me from having that confident heart that you talk about.
Some of the things that stood out to me from this chapter were…
~”Sometimes we agree with them and they become our own.” -talking about insecurity thoughts
~”Self-doubt blocks the promise of God’s power and truth to change us from the inside out so that we can live with a confident heart.”
~”Perhaps you are so good at hiding your doubts and no one but you knows the paralyzing power they have on your life.”
~”Doubt keeps us from believing things can get better. Doubt convinces us that it’s not worth the effort.”
~”God doesn’t want us stuck in a cycle of defeat or living in the shadow of doubt.”
~Wee need to hope that life can be different. Otherwise, doubt will win every time and our hearts will be eroded by attitudes and emotions of defeat–but it is not supposed to be this way.”
~”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.”
~”The God of all hope is calling you out of the shadow of your doubts so you can live with a confident heart!”
~We’ll learn how to live beyond the shadows of doubt by holding each of our insecurities up to the light of God’s Word.”
These are a few of the things that have spoken to me from this chapter and I pray that the Lord will use them to mold my heart and my thinking so that I won’t continue to walk in my doubt and insecurities, but will instead walk in His confidence and value.
I love the remark someone said about not running away from things, but running to HIM, thanks, good instruction!
Yes! In church on Easter Sunday, the words on the screen said–” It’s not what you are running from, it’s Who you are running TO that matters!” I need to remember that. As I look at decisions about possible job changes, possibly staying home instead of working part-time, I need to remember to look UP rather than at all of the options, decisions. I wrestle in my mind with loving some things about my part-time job, but knowing my boss doesn’t treat me the way I deserve to be treated…but, there are lots of good things about it, too, so do I stay and push through it, or look for an opportunity elsewhere?? I need to run to HIM instead.
Shanny,
Thanks for sharing and yes always look up and quit wanting more he knows whats happening.
I love the hope in this 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. We internalize God’s truths as our faith grows and we are transformed from the inside out!” – We can all pray God’s words and hear them. This is actually possible by everyone.. it’s not too expensive, it’s not too time consuming, we don’t have to drive 100 miles to do it! Praise God for meeting us right where we are!
My ultimate goal – each time I have uncertainty I will choose hope instead of doubt. (transformation)
My goal for this week is to give myself the tools to help this become a reality. ” Read God’s word, Pray God’s word, allow the Holy Spirit to engrave them on my heart and write them in my thoughts”.
It’s wonderful to be participating in an online bible study with all of you beautiful, godly women sharing your struggles and encouraging your sisters in Christ with wise and uplifting biblical counsel!
What resonated with me was: “His truth waters us, sustains us, breathes new life into us and remakes us into the women He always intended us to be.” Many times my daily busyness of work, housework, errands, emails, internet, etc. take priority over spending time reading the Bible (the Truth, His Word). It makes sense now why during those times I feel parched, tired, empty and not who I was intended to be. Like a plant, I need his Truth to “water” me so I can grow and flourish. I need to work on consistency – making time in the Word and with Him my first and highest priority, and not allowing the “cares of this world” to distract/sidetrack me. My prayer is that the Lord will use this online study to help me develop the consistency I so desperately need, as I feel I am an easily distracted person in this area. Praying for all of us to be victorious over every struggle and to enjoy God’s richest blessings!
Thank u Renee. I’ve come 2 a point in my life where I need 2 start healing & break free of the doubts & unworthiness that I have let people & the devil put in me. This is just the Bible study I need. God’s blessed me with the opportunity 2 go back 2 school at my age. The old devil puts all those doubts back in there. My life started out with sexual abuse & my family making me feel like I was not worthy of the right kind of love. My parents gave my brothers & me away @ an early age. So I always felt unloved. Have always tried 2 please & take care of everyone else. Always thought God didn’t love me either cause if He did where was He when all that bad stuff happened. About 3yrs. ago I found a church that has taught me bout God. I study every day. I pray all the time. But still feel like I’m not worthy of something good 2 happen 2 me.I really want 2 know & feel that verse Romans 8:28. I pray with this study & everyone’s prayers & feedback those doubts will disappear. God Bless u all.!
Pretty much everything in this first chapter I could relate to in your story….even down to putting on my mascara with mouth wide opened….lolol. What resonated with my heart the most were the things you spoke about on pgs 21-23….the things that doubt whispers to us and how it causes our thoughts to be distorted with confusion and questions. As far back as I can remember, I’ve listened to these whispers and have come to believe them to be true. This is going to be a long hard road to travel to change this area in my life (my thought patterns) but I’m determined to do it as I know these whispers are only lies straight from the pit of hell. And I know, according to God’s Word, that my perseverance will be rewarded! I have trust issues as a result of listening to the whispers of doubt and this has affected my trust in the Lord as well. My desire to achieve through this study is knowing that I can trust God completely…..even with the little things in my life. I am a graduate of a Bible College so I know Gods Word pretty well….having said that, the one thing I’ve never put into practice is reading his Word “out loud” and that is something that I am starting to do….especially with verses that speak directly to my heart….so my ears can hear His Word and drown out the lies that satan keeps trying to feed me!