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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These next few weeks I am going to cut back on watching tv and spending time with God first thing in the morning.
I am so excited for this study and so thankful for it also. I have been receiving the Proverbs 31 Ministries daily devotionals for months now.
As many of the women have stated, this came at the perfect time in my life. God’s timing is perfect! I have been struggling with self-doubt and insecurity for a long time but most recently it has really, really hard and I have felt alone in this. It’s nice to see that I’m not alone. I am excited to learn and see how God will continue to use Renee and the ladies in the study to bring me out of the shadows of doubt. have shared this bible study with friends, a co-worker and bought my mom a book for her to participate.
One of the (many) things that stood out from me in this chapter was, “In the shadow of doubt, insecurity paralyzes us with statements like: “I can’t do this;” “Things will never change;” “My life isn’t gong to get better;” “I’ll never have the confidence I need.” Now I know that when these thoughts arise its because i’m in the shadow of doubt and I need to turn back toward the light – Jesus!
I praise God that Jody you followed God’s leading to do the study!
I’m giving up sleep to do this study. I know it will pay off! I thank God for Renee and all my sisters participating in this study! May God bless us !
I am thrilled to be doing this study with a great group of girls. This is actually my second time doing it, last time as a participant and this time as a facilitator. I am so excited about what God is going to do in the lives of the women in my small group and how this book is going to help transform them into women with confident hearts.
One passage is chapter 1 that spoke to me said this: “I mean, if God calls you to do something, shouldn’t you feel confident about it? Shouldn’t you want to do it? Shouldn’t self-assurance be part of God’s equipping?” I have definitely asked these questions and experienced this kind of doubt before. I am learning that yes, i should feel confident and that God wants me to be self-assured.
The sentences that stick out the most to me are the section in the beginning of Ch 1 where you realize that your shadow is bigger than you and that you need to turn toward the light. It was like a WOW moment for me definitely in more than one area of my life.
The line from Chaper 1, But I’ve found that when I chose to swell in the assurnace of Whose I am and who I am in Him, I have a confident heart…..All I can say is Amen. Blessings…Diana
Jeremiah 17:7 is what stuck out to me among other things in chapter one. Through this scripture God showed me that I must put Him ahead of everything. I must trust and hope in God. Mercy Lord! I often hear that verse in Proverbs that says, Trust in the Lord with all that heart and lean not unto you own understanding. I fail at this all thet time! I allow my though life to take me places and come to conclusions that are so off from what God is doing. Why doubt, No confidence and who know what else. Lord I need you!
The sentence that stuck out for me the most is “Yet, doubt and hope cannot live in our hearts at the same time.” I want to spend more of my life looking at the “light” instead of being in the shadow of my doubts. Even as I am sitting here I am wondering whether or not I should even post anything, I shouldn’t be doing this, I will never change.. ENOUGH!! Please, dear LORD help my not to throw away my confidence; for I know it will be richly rewarded!! I will be using my quiet time more effectively, studying the word and building my confidence.
The sentences that stood out to me were: “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.”
I’m reading my book on my kindle and nearly every page has a highlight on it! I think Renee is saying that we ned to have hope.
I’m going to use my time wisely. No more wasting time on things that aren’t important like some e-mails and watching tv.
Like the others, I am thrilled to be a part of this study right now. A few things that stood out to me as I read in ch. 1:
1. Uncertainty and self-doubt are feelings, not facts! I need to rely on God’s words which are all true.
2. God’s calling may not automatically come with a dose of self confidence. Look at Moses. But his calling does come with His assurance, if we will believe Him and trust Him.
3. Renee wrote that “self-doubt blocks the promise of God’s power and truth to change us.” Jesus loved to heal and help those who asked him in faith.
4. Renee is teaching us to believe God by relying on the power of His words. This reminds me of conversations I have had with my 11 yr old son. There are times I just want him to take me at my word and trust me completely, even though I don’t explain the whole big picture to him. That is sometimes what God wants from me as his daughter, too.
I got to start reading this about a month ago, then set it down for a while. Re-reading it a 2nd time and taking time to write my notes and answers as I go is a good thing. I am ready for a new attitude about what God can do in me!
Really insightful, thank you for sharing. You made very good points.
The sentence in chapter one that stood out to me was “…let His Word change the way you think, which will determine the way you feel, and eventually transform the way you live”. To change the way you live you have to start with changing the way you think – for me this means hiding Bible verses in my heart to have ready for the thinking otherwise I can’t change the way I live. I am always telling my daughters that it is important to memorize Bible verses so that God can remind us of those verses throughout the day so we know how we are to act and be. I am hoping this Bible study can help me change the way I think so I can be confident in Christ and change the way I live.
I highlighted that sentence too. Browsing through several of the comments this week has challenged me to think about how and where I can surround myself with those key verses so I am constantly reminded of them.
The shadows of doubt haunt me. I love Renee’s example of looking at the shadows instead of looking at Jesus. I have lived in insecurity since early childhood. I am ready to have God restore my confidence in and through Him. My battle verse this week will be – Isaiah 49:23. “Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” Come, Lord Jesus into my insecurities and doubt.
Hello ladies. what ministered to me the most were the scriptures that were in chapt. 1.
I love the lord and try to live according to his word, but doubt does stick his ulgy head
in when situations get rough, or I feel like there is nothing I can do in my own strenght.
The when you call on the lord not letting waiting on the Lord distract you.
I’m so excited about Renee’s take on the Samaritan woman in Chapter 1. It’s as if I have fresh eyes to see see new things that I’ve never noticed or thought about in the countless times I’ve read this story before!
Perhaps Sam did not want just want to be around people for fear of their judgements and condemnation, but more specifically she did not join the women during their travels to the well. God is certainly stirring both conviction about my attitudes and judgements toward others, specifically women while setting me free from worrying about other’s attitudes and judgements about me.
Also, I loved Renee’s thoughts on the topic of “Surface Level.” I love how Jesus always took the conversation deeper, to the level of Sam’s hurts and where she needed healing, but she wanted to keep it surface level. That is so much like Jesus, getting to the core of who we are.
Lots and lots of fresh, new thoughts and it is only Chapter One!
I am so excited about this online Bible/Book Study! This is just what I need right now! At first I was a little hesitant because just as it is said in the book, I was thinking ” Maybe this isn’t for me, maybe I shouldn’t.” But I am so glad that I went against those thoughts of doubt and have decided to do this.
After reading the first chapter last night, I knew that God was in this 🙂 of course He is! After reading the key verse for this chapter Hebrews 10:35-36, I watched a preaching and can you believe that the key verse was the exact same one?! Tell me that isn’t God! Both the book and the preaching ministered to me lastnight!
I have been really struggling with doubts and lack of confidence these past few weeks. I just moved to Texas 3 weeks ago on what I believe is the Will of God and I have been having a battle in m mind as to whether or not this was the right decision for myself and my children. It was bad… But I know that God is speaking and I know that He is doing a new thing for us. I thought about this when I read on page 21″ The unknown is too scary. Although you’ve been miserable, at least the misery is familiar where you are now.” Thats how I was before moving to Texas. I was tired of going in the same cycle for so many years dealing with the same issues, the same drama from the same people and just wanted OUT!! But then here I am and I wanted to return to that. Being out of my comfort zone was not settling in too great for me. But after talking about it with a sister of mine and praying about it, I know that I am to stay in course and allow God to lead me. Because I know the promises and the Word He has given me and so I know that once I have done the Will of the Father, I will receive what He has promised! Wha a REVELATION!!
I could also relate with what is said on Page 23: “Don’t listen to those thoughts, my friend. God doesn’t want us stuck in a cycle of defeat or living in the shadows of doubt (I was stuck in a cycle! Self doubt, disappointments, broken dreams, broken promises…BUT NO MORE!) He reminds us in Isaiah 49:23 ” Then you will know that I am the Lord. Those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” Also that the scriptures on this page which state that God is working ALL THINGS together for good, because you (we) love Him! and are called according to His purpose.” and “ALL THINGS are possible to (her) who believes.” Hallelujah!! I am super excited! I thank God for this wonderful oppurtunity and CANNOT WAIT to see what He is doing for me….FOR US ALL! God Bless!
Denisse I can relate. My family had a house fire in last sept. I try to find God hand in everything that happens to me. I heard the Lord tell me once call those things that are not as though they were. Well I started looking arount as I was vaccuming my living room and thought to myself what could he be talking
about. Well it was the house, but it wasnt that house. We are now in a house that I feel the ways things happened for us to get it was of the Lord. I thnk we are being tested at this moment
(my husband and I) because we both are out of work with rent that is three times what we were paying.
although we both are receiving unemloyment God has still provided for us. I tell my husband as encouragement that we really need to just and obey God and He will get us through. He has blessed my family much in our lives.
Germaine and Denisse, I am praying for you both tonight! As for God, His plans are perfect! Hold tight to His love and provision for you in the uncertain circumstances you find yourselves in.
The part that struck me was about how the voices of insecurity stop us from being the women God created us to be.
Yes I agree, its llike it gives us a spirit of fear
Renee,
Everything in the first chapter resonated with me but the story of what God told you when you saw the shadow, “look at the light,” resonated the most with me because with me too doubts lead to distortion. I should remember to look at the light.
Another thing that resonated with me was the sentence
“One way God tells us that confidence will come is when we ask Him what is already part of His will.” That tells me that I just have to find promises in the Bible for the things I want God to do in my life and then ask for the fulfillment of those promises.
I am planning to cut back on sleep so I can connect with God.
May God bless you.
Anna
“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.”
Oh my goodness Jessica! I thought I was the only one who felt that way on boards like this, or in life in general when people didn’t respond right away, or I didn’t get a post! Seriously, I have become so insecure due to past friendships that I think I will never have any friends who don’t leave or betray me. I have so little trust in people now 🙁 It makes me sad to think that way, and I think it makes God sad too. I am just starting to see through Renee’s book how much more the Bible is in my life, and how much more personal the word of God is than I ever made it though.
I confess I envy you to be able to study for the ministry. I have always wanted to know more about God, and the languages, etc. To devote myself to study like you. I don’t feel called though, at least not yet, it’s just a desire to learn about Him I think. I think that is why I am here really. To learn about Him and help get to a place where I trust in Him more.
I can see how hard seminary is on you right now though. I am sure you were right about God calling you to it though. I feel most often when people think they hear the call of God after prayer, they are right. Also, even though you may not feel like you were right about the call sometimes, or have other doubts, just remember this. “God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.” So even if you feel you are not doing well in your studies, or doubting yourself, God will give you all you need! It is just that horrible doubt we are all suffering with that nags at us, and tells us something untrue! It’s ironic though that I can tell you all of this, and be so positive, but in my own life I have the very same doubt problem, and I can’t get myself to do what I am telling you to do 🙁 So just know I am not one of those Christians that has it all together, although I wish I did! Please know I am a broken vessel, but as one person here kindly reminded me, God uses broken vessels .
I understand your friend situation too. I had a friend for 15 years that I am no longer friends with. It was never a healthy friendship though, and I should have been as thoughtful about it as you are, and seen that much earlier on. However, the way it ended (I tried for a positive ending, but sadly she was angered beyond where I could even say anymore to her as to why it was ended, but I think inside herself, she knew) still makes me sad. I know though that she wasn’t a positive influence on my life in Christ, or my self-esteem. I tried to tell her many times how things hurt me, but it was ignored, and she was fading out of my life as well, just like your friend. I feel your pain, and although I can’t say it will be easy to end your friendship, in the end God will be your comfort, your strength, and the friend you really need. He was there for me during that very sad time in my life, and will be there for you too! I still miss my friend, but I think in all honesty what I really miss is just trusting in a friend. I had trusted in her, and she hurt me, and now I don’t trust 🙁
I will be praying for you about school, your friend, and trust. Please pray for me too. Take care. I am here if you need to talk (that goes for the ladies who have already befriended me here, and anyone that needs a shoulder too!). God is with you today, remember that, and let it give you peace.
Kyrie, this is a response to one of your comments above, but I couldn’t find it. AMEN on the ‘spiritual’ comments regarding depression. Although I will freely admit that it can be a facet of the issue, depression has so many aspects that it can hardly ever be pinned down to one thing. Know that I, for one, think no less of you as a Christian because you admit to being depressed. I think that Christian women in general have a hard time being open about depression, and as a result I am sure it is far more prevalent within the church than anyone knows. One of the MOST godly women I know has struggled with it. Prayer can help, yes, but sometimes you need counseling and medication to get you over a hump. I struggled in college and I remember my counselor telling me that medication helps to make the mountain a molehill, so you can deal with what’s really there. Sort of like Renee talking about the shadow being bigger than the object. I hope that some of the spiritual truths in this book lift you spiritually, and that you also will not listen to voices discouraging you from pursuing other avenues of healing if you need them (meds or counseling.) Praying for you!
Wow, talk about not opening up. You have done a lot of that on here. 🙂 One thing that I have learned is to pray that God will bring godly friends into my life and friendships that will bring him glory. I also pray that He will give me discernment of when to open up to people and when to not. Not everyone is safe to open up to. I have also been learning that it is important not to force friendships because it is very stressful on both parties. Something else I learned from doing all these posts and commenting on here is that it is very hard to comment on everyone’s comments. Another thing is that our worth does not depend on what man says. Our worth depends on what God says. 🙂
I think you have some very valid, especially in my life, points. I am far too trusting. Right away I think, Oh, we are getting along so well, and she goes to my church, she must be a Christian, surely I can trust her with this. So we talk about our lives and share things, and I think things are going well, the beginning of a new friendship. Then boom! I get hit with gossip, or it is used against me 🙁 I do need to remember not all are safe to open up to. I love being on here because I am using another name (I felt safer that way, well really it is a Latin phrase meaning, “God have mercy”), and can really be myself and open up. I so wish ‘real life’ friendships were that way. They never have been that way for me. I also want to do all things for the glory of Christ, so you had another good perspective on friendship there. I need to allow God to bring people to me, and not seek them out as much. Of course in a bible study setting, or something like that, you are always hopeful, and while not seeking people out, having hope that a good friend will come out of the mix. I confess though that I do move too fast sometimes, and that people may feel like I am “forcing friendships”. So it is good for me to hear all of these things. I don’t mean to do any of these things of course. I am just so excited when I click with someone that perhaps I allow myself to do all of those things which push people away 🙁 I like that you ended your post with reminding me of what God thinks of us as being most important, a wise thing to remember. Thanks for the great post Jessica 🙂
Kyrie,
Hi. How are you? When I was doing my devos this morning, they both stood out to me, and I immediately thought of you. I just wanted to share them with you. Here is the websites to each of them. Hope they bless you. 🙂
Jessica
http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=e6f74640ce89877127ec34b889baf90553389eb0286e349da2527aa00789794b
http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=eb41436f773b0cc5303cf61e07555e11a72b6149380db661a65c0b262b16dddc
@Jessica April 25, 2012 at 1:32 am, thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to me, on your phone even! All of the support and comments here are so wonderful. I only hope I can be as supportive and helpful to each of you! I think the idea of saying God’s promises over and over is a great one. I want to start praying those promises. Yesterday I took the prayer from chapter one in Renee’s book, and said it, and will probably say it everyday this week, and eventually I hope to remember verses and make up my own prayers as well! I also want to get a book called The Power of Praying Through the Bible by Stormie Omartian. A girl at church was talking about how praying through verses changed how she prays, and how she looked at God’s will for her. I know Renee’s book is already doing this for me too! Thank you for being honest about how you struggle with God’s promises. It helps me feel less alone in that area of my walk. I hope all of you who have responded to me will keep in touch (I know I’ll try 🙂 throughout this study. It would be nice to see how far each of us comes 🙂 Oh, and thanks for the recommendation of Renee’s other book! I got it free too! I haven’t read it yet sadly. I was afraid to, to be honest. I think this study, and people like you, and of course most of all Our Lord Jesus, will give me the courage to make it my next book though! Thanks for your e-mail too! That is so supportive and kind of you! God bless you!
Kyrie,,
You are so welcome. I have come a long way with God’s help. I have been reading a lot of books about finding my confidence in Christ. I have struggled to really believe the truths of God are for me too. The doubt diet book is super short. lol 🙂 It is only 7 days long. I have started doing it over again. Yes, only God’s word and truth can set us free. 🙂
The sentences that jumped out at me was ” You can only see the shadow because you turned away from the light. Turn back towards the light.” This is extremely powerful and so very true. I am hoping that through reading this book and doing this online study, I will re-train myself to only look towards the light and to overcome the shadow. I am excited to see how God uses this book and online study to draw me closer to Him and show me the confidence I have in Him.
yes that spoke load for me as well. Oh i cant count the times that i have turned away for God thinking I could do it my self.
good morning….this morning I answered the question,”What keeps me from living with a God confidence on a consistent basis?” honestly I can go to bed with God confidence and feel like tomorrow will be a new day. Then I wake up to a sassy teenager, demands that change my plan for the day or the phone ringing with some emergency only I can handle and my God confidence goes right out the door along with my attitude!!! Then I just kick into (what my family calls(cindi-drive) and start leaning on my own understandings. Before I know it it’s the end of the week and I’ve spent most of my days taking care of everything on my own… Can anyone relate?
Well this morning once again, God revealed His promise, of course after forgiving me for the 1000th + time:
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. There is hope for us all!!!! I choose to believe today that those who hope in (Him) will not be disappointed. Praying for a God confidence to be part of your day too!
Amen!! I could have written this post! I’m praying that God will stop us in the middle of our chaos & remind us to lean on Him, not ourselves!!
I’ll second the Amen!! I always joke that I know He’s at work in my life; if I’d just step out of the way and let Him work!…instead I try to step in and take over! Reading the words by Renee about looking in the mirror and things becoming so distorted. Life can get so busy and hectic. I love those moments when I stop and really listen…because he DOES reveal himself if I would just be still.
I’m working on taking a step back so that my focus in the mirror is not distorted. I’m trying to get to bed at a decent hour so that I can get up and do my devotion time in the quiet of the early morning. (I’m terrible about staying up too late after everyone has gone to bed, thinking that I’ll get so much done and I never do.)