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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There are so many things that spoke to me in this first chapter. In my head I know and understand
these things. My biggest obstacle is the blockage between my head and my heart.
I see Gods promises at work in others and desperately want to see and feel them active in my own but I feel this whole painful thing of being unworthy. I know the things that happened in the past were not about me but the other people’s limitations The war that goes on between my head and heart causes a roller coaster of faith, emotion, fear and confidence. Believing that through this study God will help me find some balance and consistency in my emotional nightmare, self worth, faith, trust and confidence in him. Many thanks Renee for putting your experiences to paper so many of us can benefit from your journey. God Bless you, your family and team 🙂
I completely am in the same boat.. Sure I have head knowledge. It’s just not getting to my heart.
I am so intrigued about your book, you could easily be talking about me in this first chapter, I am so meek and shy and insecure, and no confidence in any way shape or form, and have such a sensitive heart that I cry at the drop of a hat, which sometimes is frustrating for me, but I really feel like this class will help me to grow and be a better person.
Felicia Hepburn,
I’ve been divorced also Thank God he helped
me through it . Am glad your on this journey
with me.
This study is so on time for me…I am currently experiencing a “winter” season and all of my insecurities and self-doubts are resonating loudly in my ear. I am in a city of unfamiliar people – no family and no friends. I feel so along…the truth is I am waddling in self-pity and God is right here – waiti g for me to “turn back to the light”. For me, that was powerful – I am looking in the shadow – looking at what is not of God and forgetting He is where is light, hope and truth!! I am ready to conquer my doubts – celebrating the new thing God s about to do…thank you for reminding me to turn around and looked to Him – from we’re my help comes from!
There were two sentences that strongly spoke to me in Chapter 1, page 21; (1) “…maybe you’ve sensed God calling to serve Him in a way that requires steps of faith, but insecurity has convinced you that you’re not smart enough or gifted enough”, and (2) that my doubts have been “distorting my thoughts and overpowering my emotions with confusion and questions”.
In reading Renee’s personal story, I can definitely relate to her struggles with self-doubt.
In reading and studying the Bible verses and reading Chapter 1, there were a couple of things that spoke to me. “The memory of past victories should inspire present endurance.” As well as Isaiah 49:23, “…those who hope in me will NOT be disappointed.” Those two thoughts have spoke to and uplifted me today.
The “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” section, really hit home for me. Renee wrote that “Doubt and hope cannot live in our hearts at the same time. God doesn’t want us stuck in a cycle of defeat or living in the shadows of doubt.” (pg 23) God knows us intimately, and knows whats in and on our hearts. Many times I find myself thinking that the way my life is (currently) is not what I thought it would be. According to my sinful human ways, my life should be going along according to MY way. I strive to take my eyes off my circumstances, and focus them on Him. Scripture tells us our ways are not His ways, just like His thoughts are not our thoughts. God is in control and I need to continually focus and put my confidence in Him. I LOVE the Scripture Renee opened with, Hebrews 10:35-36. “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 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.” (NLT)
My prayer is that through this study, and prayer that my confidence will grow in Him (therefore shrinking my doubt), so that I can be used to glorify Him.
Thanks Abagail u too God is amazing
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me, Philippians 4:13 – As this scripture hangs over my window, I read it and ask God to allow this scripture to mediate on my heart. Sometimes I will allow the doubt, fear and negative thoughts to overwhelm my mind and I can not focus at work. I have to pray and God for intercession and remove any thoughts in my mind that is not pleasing to Him. I want to be confident in what is calling me to do and do it according to His will. I want to be able to step out in faith, knowing that what I have done whether it is at church, my place of employment, my business or at home that it was done in confident and pleasing unto God.
The sentence that spoke to me was “All things work together for good to those who love God according to his purpose”. These words give me confidence and His words I need to pray to my God daily!
Lana S,
You are worthy and a valuable person.
What you say does count. We should
not be afraid to speak our minds. I love
what you have to say. Keep talking God
wants to know whats on your heart and so
do I. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I underlined so many things in the first chapter but can sum everything up with the very first two words I underlined, “What if….?” Those two words have haunted me my entire life. I have been shaped by the “what if” question. My fears and self-doubts have always began with ‘what if?” Before I do anything I as “what if?” I think if I could get beyond those two words, I might see some improvement in my life. I have lived filled with self-doubt and low self-esteem for 48 years. At this point, it is hard to believe that anything can change. However, I am trying not to give up. I am a new Christian and am trying to find some of the peace I seek through God’s word and getting to know fellow Christians. Finding this bible study was fortuitous. I am really hoping that I can learn something that will help me. I am a bit intimidated by it because I am not used to this type of a forum but I am going to give it a try. Without going into a lengthy backstory, the most pertinent thing in my life right now is that fact that I suffer from chronic depression and am just coming out of another major depression. I am really hoping to find some peace and maybe even some understanding by learning God’s word and the effect it can have on my life.
I look forward to reading more comments and getting further into this study.
In my doubts and lack of confidence I have missed out on so many opportunities just because the thoughts, “I’m not good enough,” “There’s someone better,” or “No one will want me to” float through my head when opportunities arise. It keeps me from volunteering at my church, fearing that it’s really not the are I’m being called to. I volunteer when others specifically ask me. It’s as thought I need them to ask so that I can feel my self worth.
“He 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.” I struggle with this and would love to one day quote this and truly mean it about myself. I read the Word, and at times it sinks in, but to hold onto it is difficult. Promises made. I know they’re for me, but I feel there are others who deserve them more.
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him” Jer 17:7. It’s not that I don’t trust God, but when He speaks to me in prayer I tend to doubt that these words are His. I feel as though I’m making them up myself, though at times the power behind them should be unmistakable as God’s. I have things to work through, and in my walk this week I have chosen to make sure I am doing everything prayerfully as I know I should. I am going to listen – to really listen – for Him in my quiet times and not doubt. I’m on vacation this week with my husband and three children (9, 8 and 5), and I’m relying on Him to use this time together and my commitment to Him and His Word to work something amazing in my life and in my family. I have already been presented with a challenge today that I will not be able to overcome without Him. After all, through God all things truly are possible.
WOW! I”ve been reading and skimming over all the posts. I fit right into this group. I have a lot of doubt from father issues to driving directions to wondering “Why me?”. I know I have missed many things in life because I took the safe route. I was afraid to try for fear of failing! I am a terrible decision maker because I am afraid to make the wrong decision and pay the price for that decision. I often argue with myself. When life is tough due to a string of events that are hard, I often feel that God is out to get me. My head knows better but my heart takes over. My first thought is to wonder what I did wrong this time to deserve this. When I come back around to rational thinking, I know it is a lesson to be learned. There is a reason for the events. Learn from them! That doubt often sneaks back in. I am tired of missing out on things in life. I am tired of worrying about every decision and questioning my self-confidence. I doubt when I think I feel God’s leading. I don’t always follow because I doubt it is His will especially when it coincides with what I want. I think it can’t be true. I often ask HIM to hit me over the head with a huge sign so I know for sure it is His will. It does’t always happen. I need to get passed this. My head needs to rule more often.
The part that struck me was the mention of changing jobs on page 21. This is something I’ve recently started praying about. I need to follow what He wants for me in this area. I am just not sure what that is. Again, I don’t want to make the wrong decision. Again, hit me over the head so I know. I want HIS best not my best. I am afraid I will make a mistake and be sorry.
Like others the statement on p. 22 about self-doubt blocking God’s promises struck me. Along with p.23 the quote about “Doubt keeps us from believing things can get better.”, etc. I know He will answer when we ask but why is it I have trouble with doubting what the answer is? Why can’t I just “know”? How did I get this way? These are things I hope to figure out and become a stronger God girl!
I don’t know where to begin. Wow. I happened upon this Online Study through a friends facebook page. It couldn’t have happened at a better time. I have done a lot of soul searching in the last few years. I have been sober over 3 years, have gone back to college, graduated, and I will take my liscensing test in 1 week. And, am I ever lacking the confidence!! I have come to the point where I am more scared to pass my test than I am to fail it. I have all the feelings mentioned in Ch. 1. My doubts are not whispering, theyare screaming! But, I keep going. I have always kept going, but now I feel like I might actually have some tools and support to help me. I am looking forward to this journey and pray that I can do more than just go through the motions. I have worked very hard over the last 3 years and hate the fact that I am scared to death. I want to be confident!! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this journey. It is absolutely inspiring. God Bless!
You will be confident. God has an amazing path for you that you have already begun to walk.
Erica, congrats on your accomplishments!! I too managed to go back to grad school and graduate, and landed a job here while I was still IN school. Now that I’m staring down the barrel of having to move on to another job, I’m terrified too!! There’s nothing scarier than the unknown……but that’s why we’re here–to reinforce our faith. Someone posted earlier about “remember Jeremiah 29:11…”. I’m by no means an expert on verses, but that one helps me a LOT. You can do it!! (with Him, naturally! 😉 )
Thank you Abigail and Pam! I hope my book gets here soon. I am a very hands on person and know that will help me with journaling and really getting into reading His word. I knew I was in trouble when I started feeling more scared to pass than I did to fail. But, you are right. WE can do this with Him! 🙂
Fear and insecurity will rob you of so much joy in life. I am grateful to have been led to this group to learn we are all in this together and we will overcome with help fro God.
I have been searching for this type of Bible study for quite some time. I attend Sunday school and church weekly but have found myself wanting to learn more. We have had women’s Bible stuidies in our church but I am involved in several activities in church that have kept me from doing them. Right away after reading the first chapter I realized that this was describing the same thoughts and feelings that I have been experiencing. God has called me to step out of my comfort zone and I feel as if I am holding myself back because of my doubt and insecurity. Deep down I know that God has fully equipped me to serve him as He has called me to do. There is this nagging part of my that will not let me go. I am a quiet individual who usually does not say much at all I just seem to listen to what others are saying unless I am spoken to. There is so much that I would like to communicate but I have a tendency to just sit and not say a word. I view this as one of my insecurities or doubts. I seem to be worried about what people will think of what I say. This usually happens to me in group settings especially Sunday school and Bible studies. I am excited about this online study and what doors it may open for me in response to what God has called me to do.
Felicia Hepburn,
Thank you God wants to know what’s on
Your heart. I want to know too your voice
does matter. Don’t believe the lies trust in
Gods word. Am proud of you for speaking
your mind 🙂
Thanks for the study Renee. I have always struggled with self-doubt telling me things that is not good for my spiritual walk with the Lord. I love the prayer at the end of chapter one; Praying God’s Promises. I pray that God will bless us all in this journey as we study. I also pray that God will bless me to continue this study this year. I have struggled with starting something and not finishing it, and then I found myself living in self-doubt of who I am in Christ Jesus. The scripture “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me is my scripture that keep me going when this happen. God bless you all. I shall return soon. My job want allow me to come every day. Love you.
The sentence that spoke to me was, “doubt and hope cannot live in our hearts at the same time.” Doubt means that we hesitate to believe, which is totally opposite of what hope is: to believe, desire, or trust. I have doubted so many times but now my hope is built on nothing less then Jesus Blood and Righteousness. And with Him all things are possible. Praise Jesus
The sentence that stood out to me the most was about letting God’s Word change my mind and that that would eventually change the way I think and transform the way I live. It’s something I definitely need to learn how to do. I need to hold on to God’s promises and learn to see myself the way He sees me. And I could relate to your story when you said that fear and doubt kept you from doing a lot of things. That is something I’ve always struggled with. I’m afraid of trying new things or going beyond my comfort zone. I’m also afraid to do something when I “know” that it won’t turn our as good as I expect it to be. But I am confident that, through this journey, God will transform my life and that I will learn to trust in Him and live with a confident heart.