Hi friends! I am so excited to start this “Confident Heart” journey with you!
We have just about 3500, 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 for us!
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 others who have to share theirs — so that we can see again and again that we are not alone in this journey and struggle towards a confident heart.
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.
So, what’s my best advice?? Each time I do something new like this, I ask the Lord what I need to give up – so I can give more to Him. And this time is no different. I’m cutting back on checking emails all throughout my day (which I love to do) and saying no to some fun projects and other time-consumers so I can give more of me TO HIM and to you (for the next 10 weeks)!
Will you pray and block out at least 5 to 10 to 15 minutes every day to let HIM give you all that He has for you?! You are worth it….but more than anything…. JESUS is worth it, right? Are you ready? Here we go:
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(Day 1) Assignment
Please Read the Acknowledgements. This will just give you a peak into more of my current personal life. I think that’s an important part of building community and I’ll be asking you to share more about you later this week 🙂
Please Read Chapter 1. Please highlight verses and sentences that grab your attention or tug on your heart. What is God saying to you though this chapter? Write down what you sense God speaking to your heart in the margins of your book and/or in a journal/notebook that you’ll use throughout this study.
Let’s Connect: What sentences in Chapter 1 connect with you or resonate with your heart? What might you cut back on to make time for Him and yourself these next several weeks?
Click “Share Your Thoughts” below and do just that. {If you’re reading this via email, click here to return to my website/blog and connect with us in community.
Please Check Your Inbox: Our first Online Study Email was sent and in it I explain how our online study will work. Just want to make sure you know it’s there. If you can’t find it, here’s a link to it online.
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This is a great study. I really am enjoying your 7-Day Doubt Diet too. This study has gotten me to recognize when I have negative thoughts, and try to replace them with positive, biblical ones. I am still working on the 2nd part. Just yesterday, I was thinking I commented on the confident study blog, and only one person responded. Thoughts started pouring through my mind and heart that no one likes you, what you posted was not good, etc. I am also struggling to let go of a friendship. It has been 2 years since the person decided she doesn’t want to be close anymore, but I still have to interact with her on a daily basis so it is really hard. To go from telling deep secrets to now just saying hello, and that is it. I am also in seminary, and feel God is leading me to get my Master’s in Biblical Studies, but the classes are really hard, and I am not doing as well as I usually do. I am almost failing my greek class, and the final will determine if I fail the class. I have noise in my head and from other’s about why am I doing everything that I am doing, and that it is not what I should be doing. I did not choose to do this degree on my own, but I believe it was the prompting of God, but now I am not sure. I am trying to stay focused on God, but I don’t even know what to pray about anymore. I feel like why even pray for myself, b/c I can’t usually hear God’s response anyway. I can pray for others, and I do see him moving in other’s lives. I just don’t see him moving in mine, but that is probably b/c I am too focused on praying for other’s, comparing myself with others, and listening to others instead of God. Hope you are blessed through this study as well.
Hi Jessica ~
I can so relate to your story. I am/have been in your situation. I sympathize with the friend situation you are in. I had almost the same experience except I do not have to see my friend anymore. I still hurt from our parting, but it makes it so much easier not to have to see her….especially every day.
I studied for my master’s degree recently and received it in Theological Studies in 2009.
I believe God called me to study and yes, I found it very difficult as well. Just because it is difficult and challenging, doesn’t mean God doesn’t want you to complete it…usually the opposite. Keep plugging away you are learning the most important material in life.
As far as what others say to you; stop telling them anything. Tell God instead. He is and wil continue to move in your life. It will not always be evident to you, but try spending more time with him in prayer. Listen; talk and listen….each day. I know it is hard to do with studies, but it is crucial. Studying about God does not replace time with God.
And definitely stop comparing your self with others. That is very dangerous…as Renee’s study will show you.
God made you to be you….you are unique…you are wonderfully made and there is no one else like you on this planet.
Continue to pray for others…also vital. Keep your mind off yourself. Have faith in you and above all, have faith in God.
I will pray for you. I hope you haven’t minded my “butting in.” I just feel we are so similar.
Hope I have helped in some small way.
God bless you as you continue to study His Word. And if you fail Greek, maybe you took on too much at once, maybe Greek is going to be a difficult subject for you. Maybe once you catch on….you will find it easier. Whatever the reason….He is listening to you and He knows what you are going through. Stay close to Him. He is right with you.
Judi,
Thank you so much. Your reply was perfect. Thanks for allowing God to use you to minister to me. You have a lot of great points. Don’t feel bad for “butting in. ” I didn’t see it that way at all. I am grateful for your comment. Hope you are being blessed by the study as well. 🙂
Jessica, I think many women can relate to you with what you are saying. What a trap so many of us fall into on these ‘social networking’ type sites where we equate a lack of response to a lack of caring from others or lack on value in ourselves. But it is a LIE. As far as your difficulties with a friend, I have a good friend who is most definitely one of the most godly, grace-filled women I know. And yet she has gone through that same situation, where her best friend distanced herself and semi-ended the friendship. So PLEASE don’t think it reflects on you that your friend made that choice. This woman I am friends with is a wonderful friend, and I firmly believe that her friend just had issues in her life she didn’t want to be vulnerable about and shut everyone out. I will pray for you and Kyrie E. (I always wanted to name a daughter that!) regarding learning to open yourselves up again and trust. It takes time, and there is nothing wrong with you working through the process.
Thank you so much. I just saw your response. 🙂
What spoke to me most in this chapter is the power the doubt/insecurity has, how loud the whispering actually is to me, and the “paralyzing” effect it can have on me.
I’m committing to an earlier bedtime with my final moments of the day spent reading either my Bible or something nurturing and quiet conversation with God.
I am trying so hard to give up TV and internet time to draw closer to God. The statement that made me sit up and take notice was God whispering to Renee’s: You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light. That is what I need to do…turn back toward the light.
To Someone in Turmoil:
Protecting your son and getting out of an abusive situation is doing the right thing. God does not want you to suffer. You might consider making a fresh start at a new church. This will allow you to surround yourself with a new chosen family who has not been fooled by your husband about his character. I will pray for you right now. Blessings to you. You can do this!
My struggle is having confidence and trust in God. Yes I know he cares for me, loves, will never leave nor forsake me. I need to get this head knowledge into a heart knowledge. I have been living in the shadow of doubt long enough. This shadow is not only distorting my image, but also the image of God. My prayer is that I will remain in the God’s light.
Hi Terri
I know what you mean about knowing a thing in your head but not making it to your heart. I always felt like there was something wrong with me b/c I felt that way. My prayer is that we will both come to integrate our heads and our hearts where God is concerned.
I have seen this book available for some time now, and have been reading your posts on FB, now that it’s available on Kindle, I have purchased your book and am already so enjoying your thoughts and the truths that come from the Word of God:-) my family and I are missionaries in the City of Prague, C.R. books like this are simply not available in any book stores, Thank God for kindle!
I look forward what God will teach me about the confidence I can have because of his promises!
I am so thankful to the Lord for obedient servants like yourself Renee, and so thankful for HIS HOLY SPIRIT to minister to us.
Anticipating much growth.
I’m really enjoying this book. I think one of the best things about this study is knowing I’m not alone in this struggle. Its beautiful to read other women’s posts and know that the Lord is bringing us together and planning on redeeming past hurts and insecurities that have robbed us form knowing Him more fully.
The line that stuck out to me the most during chapter one was the verse in Hebrews at the very beginning. “So don’t throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” -Hebrews 10:35-36-
This past year, I’ve been working at a job that has really shook my confidence to the core. I find myself worrying about what my colleagues think about me and worrying about whether or not I’m doing a good job. The past couple of weeks, I feel like I’ve heard God say “Don’t throw your confidence away.” My worth is from God, not the opinions of others. I just wish I could take that from a head level to a heart level.
Hello Everyone!
I am so happy to be doing this study with you. I look forward to the interaction with you and the knowledge I will gain over the next few weeks.
This study could not have come at a more opportune time! When I learned about it I was in the process of booking an appointment with a clinical psychologist because my confidence and self-esteem have been at an all time low recently. I decided to put that on hold and do this study instead and already God has been revealing so much to me, not only through Renee’s work, but also through so many other avenues. It is simply amazing. We serve a magnificent God!
One of the major themes that stood out for me in chapter 1 was doubt. I live my life in defeat thinking that this low feeling might be all there is to life; that this self-doubt will haunt me forever; that nothing will ever fill me up and I absolutely hate the thought of living like this for the rest of my life. My doubt makes me question my faith. I pray hoping that things will change but I say “amen” and still… nothing. That’s one of the reasons I am reading this book: in the hope that as my confidence builds so will my faith. I am leaving myself open to all the possibilities that God has in store for me. One other avenue reminded me yesterday to “Take captive every thought and make it obedient unto Christ” 2 Cor 10:5. In an effort to rid myself of this doubt, instead of downing myself and focusing on the negatives in a situation, I have resolved to acknowledge what I could have done differently and be proud of and focus what I did right.
I am depending on God to fill mine and your hearts with confidence as we study, dialogue and pray together and as we open up and surrender completely to Him
Kelita
I am so excited to see God work through this book & bible study for all of us! It’s crazy to see how many of us struggle with the same issues. I never thought of myself as controlling, but oh have I learned over the last few years that I am just that. Even though it hurts, Praise God for opening my eyes! One of the first sentences that got my attention was “doubt was distorting my thoughts & overpowering my emotions…” I have let my emotions run way too much in my life. I’m just learning this as well – your emotions are will change in an instant & they are not to be trusted. The only constant that I can count on is my Abba Father. I’m not sure why it has taken this long for this truth to sink in, probably that control thing again! Another point that hit home was “He’s led me beyond believing in Him to really believing Him…” …wow!!! I have sat back & thought about how much I really believe His promises. I’ve read over many, but how many have settled deep within me that can carry me through…how much have I really believed what I read? Please Lord help me with trusting you in it all!
Thanks so much Renee for your book and this study! So excited to go on this journey with so many of God’s Girls! The part that struck me was “you can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light”. This reminds me that I am most doubtful when I don’t go to God as often and aren’t looking to the light as often as I should. I’m hoping this study will kick start me to having that quiet time with God and his word each day. I had done this years before but have gotten out of the habit. I’ve been doubting myself for years but am excited for the equipping process to begin!
Walking toward the light!
That line about not looking at the light resonated with me too. Like when Peter took his eyes off Jesus and looking at the waves began to sink, that is me when my focus is on things or circumstances rather than on God. I sink into doubt and worry. God’s promises from his word calm my shaken heart.
The sentences in Chp. 1 that really resonated in my heart were, “God doesn’t want us stuck in a cycle of defeat or living in the shadow of doubt” and “He’s led me beiyond 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.”
It is so easy to get caught up in the cycle of life and forget who can calm our fears and take on our “mess”! As I continue studying God’s word and really realizing His promises for me, I’m finding it easier to cast my fears upon Him in ALL things (big & small). When I release these issues/concerns and lay them @ His feet, I experience such peace! This doesn’t mean that I don’t have ongoing moments of doubt or defeat, but thank God I am learning to believe Him and His promises.
This leads me to Romans 8:28, sums it up for me! I’m looking forward to growing in this study.
Hey everyone. I’m still trying to figure out what to give up…I’m going through a tough time right now so giving up TV seems too difficult. But, Jeremiah 17:7-9 really spoke to me. Cursed we are if we trust in our fellow men, and , oh yeah, I guess that applies to trusting in myself, or even my husband too. Trust and confidence is in God alone. How humbling when I realize how much trust I still put in myself (with God’s help of course) instead of solely on Him. Confidence is my boys running at me and jumping even when I’m not looking, expecting me to catch them. I want to be that way with God.
I think I was born doubting myself. I too have wondered if I am good enough, have allowed my feelings of doubt to rob me of joy, and I don’t want to pass this legacy on to my children. I am so looking forward to learning how to really believe God instead of just believing in Him!!!
Ya’ll are amazing – seriously amazing!! It’s 9:30 Tues night and I’m reading through all your comments and praying. Once again wanting to send a hug and a little note to each of you but then how do I choose. As your shepherd/leader/friend I am writing this to each of you but want you to feel like it’s just to you – that I’m pausing and looking you in the eyes and saying : I am so glad you are here!!
Do you know how thrilled Jesus is that you are doing this?? That you are identifying what is going on – that you are letting HIM show you the destruction of the enemy’s lies and giving HIM room in your thoughts to speak of HIS Love for you – to banish the doubts and fears and remind you that YOU ARE REDEEMED. And in time as you trust HIM your hope will be RESTORED!!!
I’ll be back tomorrow (Weds) with our word of the week and a REALLY IMPORTANT video message I don’t want you to miss. See you then. LOVE YOU SO!!!
Thank you so much for doing this online. It is great that I can follow along, comment and be a part of it at my conveniece. Praying!!
The following quotes are the sentences that spoke the most to me in chapter 1:
These are the 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. 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.
As God’s girls, we need to know and believe that change is possible. We 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.
God declares with confidence that things can change— “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 [her] who believes” (Isa. 43:19, Rom. 8:28; Mark 9:23 NASB).
These verses really spoke to me because:
I have battled depression and self-esteem issues since childhood, I have one ex-husband (who was verbally, emotionally and sexually abusive…no children with this marriage) and I am going through a divorce (one child with this marriage) currently due to verbal and emotional abuse that was on the verge of turning physical on me and had turned physical on my child.
I am battling feelings of worthlessness and feeling judged by friends and church members for my decision to get a divorce yet again. My first marriage no one questioned my decision because the signs of abusive when impossible to ignore. This time my husband is willing to give the shirt off his back to help anyone, goes to church and overall acts like a decent person in public. It’s the behind closed doors and in intimate setting with family and close friends so it seems that most people aren’t understanding my decision. The state I live in doesn’t have legal separation or I would have gone that route but I have to do what I am doing to protect me and my son. I keep praying that God will heal me, my son and my husband. I can’t concentrate at work, home or church. I find myself forgetting things and making excuses to not do things that I used to enjoy. I don’t feel like I can worship God or ask him for help because I am going to be divorced yet again. I know that I am not perfect and that somethings that were wrong in our marriage are my fault…but I can’t keep living with being told I’m stupid, ugly, dumb, unimportant, and worse that I will not post hear. I can’t keep living with my son being told the same things and getting slapped around. I feel like a failure though because I don’t feel like I protect my son or my marriage.
Reading those quotes from the book above and going through the prayer, bible verses and chapter one questions has helped to see that all those things are just Satan trying to keep me from having a confident heart. As I was going through them I finally cried and truly asked God to help me overcome these feelings and to show me His will for my life.
I thank you for your prayers and support in advance as we go through this study.
To Someone in Turmoil,
I’m praying for you and your family.
I’m glad to begin this Bible Study. The sentence in chapter 1 about the paralyzing power that doubt can have, really resonated with me. It’s funny how I can be confident in many of the other areas of my life, but when it comes to God and His plan for my life, I just get stuck, blank out…almost like I need a script on how to live my life in God, instead of trusting what I is in my heart, what I have learned from God. I’m looking forward to journeying through this and maturing from the process.
I have participated in A Confident Heart online study twice- the first time with Melissa Taylor, and the second time with Renee Swope. I am even starting to read through this book a third time, I love it so much. I was having an insecure week last week for whatever reason, and when I checked my email, my daily devotion from Proverbs 31 Ministries was written by Renee that day… The verse that was in it was Hebrews 10:39: “We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” This was exactly what I needed to hear and be reminded of… I wrote this verse down and have carried it with me as a reminder that I am a confident woman in and only through Jesus Christ who gives me strength every day. Thank you Renee for teaching me how to live in the security of God’s promises every day!!
I love the part of turning towards / away from the light. I got such a visual on that. I am seeking God to find places to pull a little more time out each day for Him. He is way more mportant and worth anything else I could be doing.
Lynn, I share the same thought about the turning toward/away from the light section. So often we can remain in the familiar darkness and never warm our faces with the light of God’s love. It is sooo beneficial for us to make time to pray and seek God.
It has been a long time since I have been in a bible study. I didn’t figure I would get much out of it. Boy Chapter 1 hit me like a brick!!! I will begin by answer the questions that were asked.
1) Earliest Memory of doubting yourself or feeling insecure? ANSWER: I suppose when I had to (with my brothers help) make all the Thanksgiving meal when I was a young teenager because my mother was drunk. (I had to call long distance to my oldest sister for advice on how to cook the turkey)
2) Has Insecurity ever kept you from doing something? ANSWER: All the time. I always feel not good enough. I always see myself as have failed before I even try to do what ever it is.
3) Describe How it makes you feel when doubt whispers:
“I can’t do this” ANSWER: I won’t do it right. I am not qualified. I must have been crazy to say I could.
“Things will never change” ANSWER: Aint that the truth!
“My life isn’t going to get any better” ANSWER: I made my bed, now I got to lay in it.
“It’s too hard” ANSWER: I don’t want to try
“I might as well quit” ANSWER: I deserve it anyway. (to not do it to begin with)
4) Describe what happens in your heart when you read Gods Words:
“Those who hope in me will not be disappointed” Isa 49:23 ANSWER: Not talking to me
“See I am doing a new thing” Isa 43:19 ANSWER: For someone else.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Rom 8:28 ANSWER: I know this is the truth, but somewhere in my mind, this promise is set aside for an elite group of people that I am not a part of.
“All things are possible to (her) who believes” Mark 9:23NASB ANSWER: I know this to be truth also, but sometimes I feel that my mountains are SO BIG that God just doesn’t have time to help me or that He expects me to do more for myself before He helps.
5a) What do you think hinders you most from living with God-confidence on a constant basis? ANSWER: Personal trials that are with me on a daily basis.
5b) Is there a promise listed above that speaks to your greatest need right now? ANSWER: Not really. I’ve had so many needs for so many years, that I feel it is just my lot in life to struggle. Then I went back and re read those verses and the following touched me. Hebrews 10:39
6)How would you describe a woman with a confident heart? ANSWER: Extremely Blessed and Loved. (small amount of envy on my part, realizing that it is wrong to envy, but all the same, I am trying to be honest with my feelings, even if they are not in line with a Christ like spirit)
7a) Read Jeremiah 17:7 What does this verse promise and encourage you to do?
7b) Think of one situation where you could live in the power of this promise and describe what that would look like his week. ANSWER: I don’t know why I wrote this down but this is what I wrote, “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.”
The portion of Chapter 1 that spoke to me most strongly was God’s command to Renee to turn back toward the light, to focus on Him – it reminds me of the times in the Bible and times in my life when I turned my focus away from Him and was completely unable to keep going in a way that honored Him. I’m just not able in my own strength. But I can do all things in His strength — Abba, please change me and guide me to be focused on You and Your perfect will for my life – one baby step at a time. I have a game that I’m easily obsessed by on my ipad, and I commit to minimizing my time on it to make time to spend on this study, working hard to build a confident heart that honors Him. Thanks, Renee! 🙂