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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

{week 1} A Confident Heart Online Study (April 2013)


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.

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(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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Comments

  1. I am struggling with debilitating anxiety, worry, fear ~ I am so looking forward to this study and the community of like minded folks to be connected with as we study together.
    Thank you Renee for offering this study!

    • Crystal, praying for you that God will help to release the hold that anxiety, worry and fear have on your life. Looking forward to studying and learning together through this journey.

  2. I think that the sentence that resonated with me is that if God calls you to do something shouldn’t you be confident about it.

    When i first i started out in my career, it thought i could change the world and love doing this forever. Years later, somedays it is such a struggle to go into work due to my anxiety.

    I feel God calling me to something new, but I am too nervous to take the leap as one sentence said although you may be miserable at least the misery is familiar.

    I am encouraged by Romans 8:28 and praying that God will use this study to develop a heart change

  3. I love it when a book speaks right to my heart, and I can find comfort in knowing that I am not alone in mynstruggles. Fr as much of mynlife as I can remember I have struggled with self-doubt. I have been the young girl who did not participate in things others did for fear that I wasn’t good enough, or wouldn’t say or do the right things, I was the college studen’t who had a panic attack and almost changed my major when things got tough, because I thught I couldn’t do it. I am the woman who waited two years to fulfill my calling to bring a womans group to my church only to still struggle with am I enough for these women and what are they thinking about me. I love when Renee wrote that she heard Hod say that she could only see the shadow because she had turned away from the light! That really hit home for me. I know I need to immerse myself in his word and his truths and stop all these worry thoughts that run through my mind that come from the enemy. I am really lloking forward to the rest of this study! Thank you Renee!

  4. What really resonated strongly when I read Chapter 1 was when you mentioned the statements that paralyzes us when doubt rears it’s ugly head. I can readily identify with everything that is written. Insecurity plays a big part in allowing doubt to rule…questioning my adequacy. I am really trying to get past this phase in my life. I am learning to speak and apply the Word of God in everything that I am faced with on a daily basis. 1 John 5: 14-15 has been a stabilizer for me; and I am grateful to God for directing me to becoming a part of this study. There is so much I desire to do in Kingdom work; and by faith in God and His directing my path, I am so confident that this shall come to pass. Thank you for writing this amazing book! I am so looking forward to Growing in God!

  5. I know God is working in my life he has helped me through sexual,physical,emotional and mental abuse. He has also helped me conquer my addiction to drugs and alcohol. So why then do I still sometimes struggle with whats going to happen. I have to remember that Gods not going to let anything bad happen to me. I worry about my husbands job and whats going to happen. If hes going to get another job. I have to realize God knows whats best for us. I have a mental problem also I finally realized after watching a movie on Spiritual Warfare that it’s the devil trying to put lies and voices in my head. Am truly excited to be able to read A Confident Heart and let God keeping working miracles in my life. Am going to keep on reading God’s Promises and have faith everything will be ok. Mark 9:23 “What do you mean, ” If I can”? Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Am truly blessed and grateful that I can be on this journey so I can be the best person God intented me to be. Don’t wish I can be someone else just be myself and quit comparing. Best of luck to everyone on this wonderful journey and Godbless. We’re truly children of God and He loves each and everyone of us. Thank you to all my sisters in Christ and thank you so much Renee this is just what I need. No more fear just Let Go and Let God.

    • Shelley, thank you for the wonderful reminder – we are all children on God and He loves each one of us very much. We need to find our confidence in Him and replace all those lies floating around in our heads with God’s Truth.

  6. The things that resonate with me is the fact that even reading the verses, I was thinking.. that is for someone else. UGG I never realized how doubting I am. I want to be confident in God’s Word not just in God. How can I say I believe Him when I don’t believe His Words? I mean I believe them just not for… me. Wow how sad.. I am going to work on feeling good about me because I am made in His image so I am important

    • I did the same thing while I was reading those. They sounded nice, but meant for someone who really deserved them.

      • I know…what is with that? You read them, and you know in your mind that it’s right, but it doesn’t quite connect all the way THROUGH you. It’s not like I sit and consciously think, “Oh that’s for someone else” per se, but I’m definitely disconnected.
        The good news is, we have many chapters to go! Read and repeat verses to self, repeat to self, wash, spin, rinse….. 😀

    • I penned those very thoughts in my journal last night. I wrongly tell myself that’s for the people God really loves and wants to use to make a difference in the world. May we all let the mind of Christ dwell in us.

  7. As I read the acknowledgements and the first chapter I thought to myself “God means this for everyone else except me.”

    Each inspirational Bible Scripture seems to written for the lady next door, the woman down the street but, not for me. I’ve struggled so much throughout my life to have a tiny bit of confidence that it just doesn’t seem possible.

    Except, as I read and answered the questions and after I prayed the first chapter prayer out loud, I felt compelled to go outside and walk my dog. I met up with a new woman who lives in our campground and invited her in for prayer. My prayer was “Help me believe that you mean this for me too, God.” I feel a glimmer of hope and dawning belief that maybe, just maybe, God means his promises for me too. Thank you, Renee.

    • Andrea, I pray that God will open your heart and mind and see how this study applies directly to your life. Looking forward to studying together.

  8. I am so excited to have found this book. I feel like it was written just for me and that God led it to me at the exact right moment in my life. I don’t think that I was ready to hear these words two months ago, but now my heart and mind are open and I am learning and growing in my relationship with Christ. Thank you!

    • Alicia, I am thrilled that you will be joining this journey. God’s timing is always perfect.

  9. I have started many different bible studies hoping that a change will happen instantly. When the change does not I quit. I hear something tell me that ill never learn or something is wrong on my life and I dont deserve it. In the first chapter I saw me. Like I was the one you were speaking about. I want to stay with study, god says he had begun a new thing.

    • Mary, I am praying that with God’s help you will be able to stick with the study to the very last page. Renee does an incredible job of speaking directly to the reader.

  10. I am so ready to get rid of this doubt (not good enough, body image) that has had a hold on my life for way to long. I am blessed to be a part of this online study. Thank you Renee!
    God, I pray all the women on here will be released and have the confidence we are looking for in every area of our lives, You gave us a sound mind. Open the eyes of our hearts to see your truth and that it will penitrate our hearts, mind and spirits, bless Renee as she leads us and give her the words you want spoken, the heart that is sensitive to our needs and the strength to do this and all the other things she has going on in her life. Help us to be VICTORIOUS in this study, In Jesus’ most powerful name I pray, Amen!

  11. For me the second half of a line “… my doubt was distorting my thoughts and overpowering my emotions with confusion and questions.” really talked to me! I am ALWAYS second guessing myself! Did I make the right decision or what if are phrases that I hear in my head after every decision that I make! Even the tiniest decision I will second guess myself on! Like most of the women taking this bible study I struggle with my self-esteem, if I am a good parent, and just being confident in anything!

  12. I love it when Renee stated, when I CHOOSE to dwell in the assurance is Whose I am and Who I am in Him! I so long to truly rest in this truth, so I can be free from trying to please man- which only leads me to fear.

  13. I know this is kind of long, but in line with what so many have been talking about in regards to speaking the TRUTH out loud. I thought that I would share this:

    NEVER AGAIN

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on “I can’t,” because the Word says: “I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on fear, because the Word says: “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on doubt and a lack of faith, because the Word says: “God has dealt to each one [every person] a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on weakness, because the Word says: “The Lord is the strength of My life” (Psalm 27:1) and “The people that know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on the supremacy of Satan over my life, because the Word says: “Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on defeat, because the Word says: “God always causes me to triumph in Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on a lack of wisdom, because the Word says: “Christ Jesus has become for me wisdom from God.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on sickness, because the Word says: “With His stripes I am healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) and Jesus “Himself took my infirmities and bore my sickness.” (Matthew 8:17)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on bondage, because the Word says: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) and “My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on worries and frustration, because the Word says: I am “Casting all my cares upon Him who cares for me.” (1 Peter 5:7)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on condemnation, because the Word says: “There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) I am in Christ, so therefore I am free from condemnation!

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on loneliness, because the Word says: Jesus said, “I am with you always, even till the end of the age [forever].” (Matthew 28:20) and “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on curses or bad luck, because the Word says: “Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for me: that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the gentiles [that’s me] through Jesus Christ: That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on discontent, because the Word says: “I have learned in whatever state (circumstances) I am, to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on unworthiness, because the Word says: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on confusion, because the Word says: “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) and “We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on persecution, because the Word says: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on the domination of sin over my life, because the Word says: “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on insecurity, because the Word says: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:24-26)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on failure, because the Word says: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on frustration, because the Word says: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on fear of the future, because the Word says: “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)

    NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on troubles, because the Word says: Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

  14. There was so much in the first chapter that seemed to have my name written all over it. Insecurity has caused me to doubt myself so many times when God has called me into a ministry. I think the one thing that said it best was I only see the shadow of my doubt when I turn away from the light. As long as I keep my focus in my Heavenly Father I can walk with more courage and confidence. When I take my eyes off of Him I fear that I will fail so I don’t do what God is calling me to do. Really excited about this study. I have read the book before but looking forward to studying it now.

  15. I read the 1st chapter and really need this Bible Study. I didn’t realize how insecure I really was until I read Chapter 1, read the prayer and answered the questions. I realize that what I think about me is more important than I thought. I know I will be able to get through to the other side of this. I just didn’t know I needed this much help. Thank you for having this Bible Study.

  16. What spoke to me was on page 25…”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”. Encouragement to start reading scripture out loud to have HIS words come to me whenever I am doubting myself

  17. “You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.” This statement really stuck out for me. Some other reading I have been doing talked about praying God’s Word. I’ve know this… but am not consistent in doing this… so this part of the chapter really stood out as well. I find when I am doubting,overwhelmed, tired, on overload… I slip back into habits that aren’t as productive. I almost put the book down, when I was reading during my lunch time today… but then had to give my thoughts back to the Lord. This study really grabbed me and I believe it was a prompting of the Holy Spirit. I could relate to you story … when you talked about the whispering doubts and It’s not supposed to be this way. Self talk can really mess with a person’s mind and keeping scripture in front of me really helps. Thank you. I look forward to the rest of this study together.

  18. “All of a sudden, it dawned on me. My uncertainty had created a huge shadow of doubt. 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. The shadow of doubt had become bigger than what I doubted – myself.”

    Loved this quote, Renee. Since being laid off late last fall, I have had moments of total doubt that I would ever continue in ministry or that my calling was somehow in question now. And when I focus on the doubts, they loom larger and larger in my mind. I love your emphasis on reading and praying God’s word in this chapter. I believe that is what has helped me the most over the last few months as I’ve worked to combat attacks from the enemy and battled anxiety over whether I will ever be employed again! I am clinging to the promise in Isaiah 49 that “those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”

    Thanks for a great start to this study!

    • Amen Holly!! Im praying for you too!! Oh how I wish we could hire you full time and answer that big ole prayer. We love you and you are such a blessing to us at the office. You are highly favored, dearly loved and a valuable tool in the hand of our GOD!!!

      SO glad you are doing the study with me/us!! <>

  19. I am excited to be part of this study. The last few years have been one of constanct self doubt. My daughter is bi-polar and when she is off her meds, her father and I are evil. When she does go off, I am constantly tearing myself up for not being good enough for her. She’s off her meds again. I am struggling again. But this time, this time it’s going to be different. Doubt and hope can not live in the same heart. I am so tired of doubting myself, trying to please everyone and feeling like I am not pleasing anyone. I try so hard and always feel like I come up short. It starts new today, today I will begin anew. Thank you Lord for all you do! For your mercies, your grace, your unconditional love. I love you Lord!

  20. I am excited to be doing this study with so many women who like me have experienced a lack of confidence. While going through my divorce I totally fell apart. My husband made sure that I knew I was worthless and messed up everything I touched. Funny that God didn’t feel the same way and He began to pick me up and put me back together again. I read Renee’s book a couple of months ago and it spoke deeply to me,so I was excited when I found she was going to be conducting a study for us here online. Since the time I read the book, my life has been turned upside down once again. A year after my divorce I began dating again and fell in love with a man I thought was wonderful. What a shock to find out recently that I was just one of many women in his life and this wonderful relationship was all a lie. What confidence I had built was totally broken down when I discovered his cheating and lies. I am so very thankful to have this study right now. I desperately need to hear from God and need the support of other women who are feeling discouragement and fear like I am right now.

    • Rene,
      I’ve been where you are and my heart goes out to you. You are not alone in how you feel, please know there are plenty of us out there. I’ll be praying that God does some wonderful things in our lives.