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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God said, “Trust ME”
The Lord has brought me through some amazing things. I know that He is trust worth and that He keeps his promises. He took my dreams and turned them into reality. I know He can do anything, that nothing is impossible for him. But that doesn’t mean that I’m confident, fear and doubt mess with my confidence more often than I’d like to admit. I’ve often wondered how to change this; I do trust Him, but sometimes thoughts of s of fear and doubt sneak in, just a little at first and before I know it they are spinning around and around in my head. I want to trust Him so completely that doubt can’t even find a crack to enter my mind. I take him at his word, “Trust Me” and am holding on to his promise that, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13
Thank you Diane for sharing what God has spoken to you. I too heard God say “Trust Me” when my world came crashing down, when I thought all hope was gone. I’ve had to work on developing a relationship with Him as a loving God and not as a punishing God. I’m so glad that He reached down to me and that He cares to see me grow into the woman He has created me to be. This is an ongoing journey but I know that nothing is impossible for God.
“take me beyond believing in you to believing You. Help me to rely on the power of your promises and live like they are true…”
This was confirmation for me this morning! I have always felt confident I knew and believed in Jesus Christ but if honest depending on how serious my problem was I was praying for decided if I beleived God would do what He said He would! I have had many modern day miracles throughout my life and witnessed His promises firsthand. I do not know why when I face adversity I choose to hear the voice in my head say,” your need is not that important, He only answers those types of prayers for other people, or how dare you ask God for help, you haven’t done what He’s asked!!! Today I choose to believe we have a Jesus that is not keeping score, we have a Jesus that through grace and truth asks us to believe Him when he says “Oh my sweet daughter, believe and trust what I say, because I won’t disappoint you!”
I pray for those of you that read this and will also choose to hear our Heavenly Father’s voice and His promises……Renee, thank you for being His appointed messenger today!
Renee thank you for your obedience and leading yet another online study. After reading chapter one what stuck with me was the scripture verse Mark 9:23, which states “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Doubt over powers my belief many times but now I have my sword of the spirit to combat doubt everytime. I am looking forward to completing this study and I will be giving up TV to spend more time in the Word.
Doubt is one of the things I am finding that I struggle the most with – I want to trust that things will be okay in a certain situation (and they usually are), but I find myself getting caught up in the doubts and what-ifs instead! I am excited to begin this study – recommended by my sister, who loaned me her copy of “A Confident Heart,” complete with underlining and highlight marks, which I love 🙂 – and I’m ready to get started! 🙂
One sentence that resonated with me in chapter one is “I’ve found that when i choose to dwell in the assurance of Whose I am and who I am in Him, I have a confident heart.” I’m going to apply that on my job. I often doubt myself when it comes to the task of my new position……Can I do this? Do I have what it takes? Do I have enough knowledge. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!
“Doubt and hope cannot live in our hearts at the same time. ” p.23 stood out to me because I feel as though I have given myself over to doubt most of the time. Although, God puts little rays of sunshiny hope in my heart, I tend to let doubt rule. Thank you for showing me this does not need to be the case and encouraging me to let God’s light overwhelm the darkness.
I have just finished my writing course and this has freed up a lot of time for me but I also plan to cut back on my facebook time.
I’m soo excited about this study. I’ve been good at hiding my doubts, I’ve been paralyzed by my fears and worries!!! Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. I’m giving up some computer and tv time during this study. God bless you all 🙂
I’m so thankful that God has orchestrated this opportunity to study A Confident Heart with all of you! With the free Ebook coming available and the timing of this Bible Study, I believe this is the direction in which God is nudging me. Having had a verbally abusive and manipulative father, I have struggled with self-doubt all my life. God has been merciful and taught me a lot over the years but I still find myself struggling with nagging self-doubts about my worth and usefulness. I’m so thankful for another opportunity to learn something from the Word that could change my life. My favorite quote from Chapter One: “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 especially like the sound of the phrase “God’s girls”, having never felt loved like a daddy’s girl.
Oh Barbara, I can so relate to your story…I pray that through this study you find your self confidence and realize how much you are loved, valued and loved by your Daddy – you are His precious girl!! I will be praying for you through out the study.
Thanks so much, Veronica. I know this study is going to be very good for me. I appreciate your prayers.
I also downloaded the book on my kindle free from amazon. Then I saw the post from prov31 about the online Bible study last night. I jumped on it quickly. I believe God had his hand in this.
What jumped out for me today was the verse from Isaiah 49…I am the Lord, those who hope in me won’t be disappointed. Wow…that just makes me excited. Not that there won’t be times of conflict, but that we won’t be disappointed with what God does in our lives.
My first time reading this book, I read that verse (Isaiah 49:23) and felt such a peace come over me. What a powerful promise! At the same time I thought “why have I NEVER noticed that verse before?!” A new life verse for me for certain.
One of my weakeness is comparing myself with others. I know we are created by God with individually gifts designed by Him. I know I shouldn’t care what other people think of me because those who may have everything, may not be happy. Also, one of the verses is Romans 10:17 is that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Chirst. In addition, from Joyce Meyer Ministries thought of the day is If you truly love the Word of God—if you hear it, receive it, and obey it—you will have freedom and live “at ease.”
Shanon I love Joyce Myers! I really sense God speaking to my heart through her words! I struggle with self doubt and worry and Renee thank youso muchy for providing this study! Thank you!
The more I seek God’s word, the more exposed I become.
The sentences in Chapter 1 that most resonates with me are…”When we pray God’s words out loud, and hear them, the Holy Spirit engraves them on our hearts and writes them in our thoughts. We internalize God’s truth as our faith grows and we are transformed from the inside out!”
I do not tweet or facebook but I will redirect the time spent on the computer towards this study and become a better steward of my time. I am so thankful to God for providing the avenue in which to participate in this study and Renee for responding to your heart to reach so many with His truths!
In His richest blessings…
Kandise, I thought of the attached song as I read your post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ-fghqc8Oo
Thanks for sharing!
I am limiting my time on the computer to focus more on prayer, and Gods Presence. This chapter spoke to me in the sense I feel God calling me to be bold for Him, yet I let my insecurities get to me and keep me from doing the things I know He wants me to do, I need to choose to focus on “whose I am and who I am in Him” so that I can have that confidence!!!!! Thank you Renee for doing this study, and I look forward to growing in my faith and confidence IN HIM …..and all the blessings that will come too! Praying for all who are on this journey with us!
I am so looking forward to walking through this book with y’all! I actually had purchased the kindle version and was halfway through it when I saw the study getting ready to start! So I am going to go back and start over and dig deeper! Self Doubt is a HUGE struggle for me and has been for a very long time; but it is a private battle! All my life I’ve been a leader, on fire for God, willing to serve, successful, blessed with various talents and giftings; family, friends and church memembers have looked up to me! And all I could think is “If they only knew!” They don’t know the times that I’ve felt I’ve just not been good enough, and how crushing that can be. I think the very first verse you shared was most powerful…Heb. 10:35-36 Especially the phrase “So do not throw away your confidence…” So many times, I know what God want me to do, I know He’s equipped me, I know His heart on the matter…and then one person’s differing opinion (including my own) comes along and I”throw away my confidence”. Well I am ready for some security, steadiness…for confidence in Him!
He HAS equipped you! Love that you are not throwing it away. 🙂
This is my second time going through this study. I am so thankful you are offering it again. I learned a lot the first time, I want to see how much I have grown so far. I realize that the “shadow of doubt” can come upon me like a lead balloon. I want to be able to look at my notes that I have taken often, to know really know that I can have a “Confident Heart”. Thank you Renee!
Dear Lord I will persevere so that when I have done Your Will, I can receive what You have promised (Heb:35-36) In Jesus’ name. Amen.
It’s my third time around with the study, I enjoy it that much, plus I find some new “nugget” each time that I missed before b/c I was so focused on a different issue at that time. I love to go back and see my notes and how different of a person I am on the inside and out. Enjoy your 2nd go around 🙂
I am so thankful for this Bible study and am so excited to see what God has planned! On April 1 I turned my disordered eating over to God and am recovering. Through the process of recovery I am learning that confidence is something I have been lacking for several years. I have tried to be what I thought everyone wanted me to be – rather than who God designed me to be. I haven’t even had confidence in God’s design and plan for my life – I thought I did, but when it comes down to it I didn’t. I “stumbled” upon the free book & the Bible study sign up….I think I can safely say God lead me it! I believe that God is transforming me right now & am so blessed!
Page 23 really stuck out to me when it says “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 will be cutting back on facebook during these next 10 weeks. I look so forward to this time with Him and all of you!!!
Anna, I am so glad you found your way to this study and pray that through the next ten weeks you will find your confidence in who God made you to be – you are His beloved, His PRINCESS, His treasure!!! At the end of the study I pray that you will believe that!!!!
I echo the prayers and comments of my sisters in Christ. I am so thankful for God giving Renee the strength, perseverence, and obedience to Him to write this book. One theme that I have noticed in this book and throughout my life is that Satan wants us to think that we are along on this journey and that we are the only ones who are facing certain issues. I praise God that first of all HE is ALWAYS there. He will never leave us or forsake us. I am also thankful for the godly community of women that God has placed in my life and during this study.
The sentence that really resonated with me was You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light. Swope, Renee (2011-08-01). Confident Heart, A (Kindle Locations 228-229). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition. For me the shadow represents Satan’s lies and my lack of confidence in myself and trust in God. I focus everything that is wrong instead of the truth. The shadow represents fear, lack of trust, disbelief. The light is God and His truth. His light of life and salvation can overpower any darkness. You just have to turn towards it.
In addition to completing this study, I would recommend Renee’s 7 day – Doubt Diet. It is an amazing book, and truly spoke to my heart. May God continue to bless and grow each of you throughout this study.
Jessica, that is SO true- about women struggling because we think we are alone, or think we are ‘crazy’ for having these negative self-talk patterns going on in our minds. We struggle, and then ‘pretend’ as Renee says that everything is fine. We don’t open up to others, and miss out on opportunities to realize we are not alone in our struggles!
Thanks for the comment. 🙂
My husband and I were talking about my doubts and lack of contentment this weekend. Then this morning I have a facebook update this morning from a friend referencing this book and study. So I down loaded it to my kindle and read the first week. Wow, is all I can say! Will post more after I finish my journal about chapter 1.
AWESOME, I am so glad you are here and will be journeying with us through the next 10 weeks. It’s an amazing study. Praying for you.
I read the chapter earlier and then again yesterday! Today I was rereading and what popped out for me was on p. 22 at the top. “God whispering to my heart: You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.”.
That is so powerful. If we are focused on the shadows then how can we do what we need to do ? How can we be who God wants us to be?I need to stay focused in God’s word moving toward the light. I have been lurking in the shadows too long. Thank you for the opportunity to share in this awesome study.
I, too, read the chapter yesterday and again today and the same sentence got to me about the shadow. When I visualize this and see the shadow, I realized it doesn’t have a hold on me. I do have a choice to turn around and focus on the light.
The other was a group of statements. ” I can’t do this. It’s too hard. I might as well quit.” I have lived by these “mottos” for too many years and have missed so much. These printed words make me feel determined to break free (turn around) and seek the freedom God has promised.
I will make time for this by getting up earlier, when all is quiet, before the day starts.
Thank you so much, Renee, for the study and for offering the study free.
I agree with what Kathy says about not letting the shadow take over but to turn to the light and focus on it. I have had a lot of depression and I realize now that a lot of it is from ME letting others stand between me and the light. My problem is not so much that I think that i can’t do things but having other people put me down and tell me that I can’t do things. i have found that I have put too much trust in other people and their opinions throughout my life and I have gotten to the point that I have no faith in myself or trust in other people. I have had people that I thought were my ‘friends’ But i found out they were the furtherest thing from a friend. Also, have some family members like that too. I have learned that giving my problems to God and believe in Him but sometimes I guess I want things done in my time and not His so I start worry and tryting to fix things and then have to remember that my taking back the problem is getting in God’s way!! I thank God that I was able to get a Kindle and for the free copy of this book and the opportunity to be involved with this study and the other free Christian books that I have been able to get. I am learning that I was looking for the love and approval of man and I already have what I really neded – God’s love!! I am seeing changes in my life eveyday and even though I do backslide, I praise God for the change that He is making in my life!
Thak you Renee for providing the book for free online and also for taking your time to provide this study for all of us! I have read through the book once but things do not always stick the first reading so I am so glad to be doing this study!
These sentences really touched me too. “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.” and “Yet, doubt and hope cannot live in our hearts at the same time.”
I know that God answers prayers and I have believed in God as long as I can remember but Now I am learning to believe God. I have learned that there is a differencce in the two. Stress can really bring on the doubt and destroy my confidence. There are times that a phone call or someone saying something when I am eating will make my throat close up and my food will hang in my throat and I will not be able to swallow it and I throw it up. I have turned this over to God but then I still have this doubt down inside because everytime I go into a new place to eat, I have to find out where the restrooms are in case I get choked instead of believing that God will get me through the meal without me throwing up.
I will give up other computer time, other reading, TV and just wasted time to put my whole heart and mind into this study and into praying and praising God!
I have also realized that I have control over what I let people do to me and if I let them hurt me! I have to take that control and not allow them the power over me. God is my strength now. I will be confident in what I can do because of Him! I praise God for each new baby step or giant step that I take toward Him and with Him!!
Jan, my heart hurts for you. I too have had far too many ‘friends’, and family let me down too. I too have, “no faith in myself or trust in other people”. I need to give more to God, and trust in His timing too. You are also not alone in your suffering from depression, I do too.
On a side note, and to no one in particular, may I please ask that those who feel that depression is a lack of faith, or a spiritual condition not comment on that? It really hurts to feel even more poorly about myself due to such comments. I feel God will eventually even use my depression, if I let Him, to do good things. I’m not trying to be negative in anyway in asking this. I have just been hurt by those types of statements in the past, and am already hurting enough 🙁 Thanks in advance for being understanding of this in my case everyone.
Kyrie, thank you for your understanding. It seems like a lot of the time people that have not been through some of the same problems do not understand and do make judgements. But they should realize that their judging is not what God wants them to do. I believe that God will take everything that we have been through and let us use it to help other people and ourselves. thanks again for your words of understanding!
Kyrie,
Thank you so much for opening up ad taking the risk of being hurt again. I pray that this would be a safe space for you to share your thoughts and concerns. I pray that it would be an encouragement as well. I am grateful for all the support that has been showwn to you this far.. I wanted to let you know that I also struggle with God’s promises for me. Something I have learned is that you haven’t to keep saying what God says about you over and over again until it becomes truth for you. In addition,ly helped me. Sorry for all the tp I would recommend doing Renee ‘s 7 day doubt diet. It is alit is free on amazon.. Well, the ehook version is. It has greatly. Sorry for all the typos. I am responding using my phone. Please let me know if there is anything else I fcan do to hel. My email is [email protected]. PRAYING FOR U.
Kathy,
I too have the same thoughts, “too hard, I can’t” but I have to believe that I can. One of the things that has resonated with me is that I need to change my thoughts, words & actions not just for my benefit but also for my daughter. She is not even two yet but she has already started to say “I can’t” I don’t want her to go throughout life not believing in herself. I see her parrot me in so many ways. I don’t want her to learn to self doubt. I want her to grow up knowing she CAN with God’s help.
Jenna,
I have seen so many of my same self-doubts in my daughter and my granddaughter! I wish that I had changed my way of believing before I passed this on to them! One of the thngs that all three of us do is saying i’m sorry when we did not do anything wrong!!
It is wonderful that with God you can help change the way your daughter’s thoughts, words and actions before the self-doubt and low self-esteem can be learned!
Jenna, What a sobering and truthful reflection- I have a daughter who is just one. Thank you for giving me yet another motivation to stick with this study and not give up if I get a little behind (what happened the first time around).
Lydia,
Lydia is my daughters middle name. 🙂 Even if you get behind God will use what you have learned. I know it is a challenge to even find time to breathe with a little one. Lets make a plan to stick together & learn a lot for our daughters.
Blessings, Jenna
Lydia,
I found this blog today and I thought it had great ideas on how to teach our little ones more about God.
http://www.momlifetoday.com/2012/02/five-ways-to-draw-your-little-one-closer-to-god/
Thank you Jenna! I occasionally look at MomLife, but I had missed this one. I also have a three year old son, and I just this week started scripture memorization with him (Deut. 6:5). Oh, praying for yourself throughout the day… HUGE. Thank you for the encouragement! I am looking forward to interacting with you more throughout the study.
The same phrase struck me and made me realize how something so small looks so big as a shadow. It’s completely distorted and we need to turn back to the light.
Cathy and all, this is my second time through the first few chapters of the book, and that sentence about turning towards the light struck me deeply the first time. Looking back it is always so apparent to me that when I am spending time in God’s Word and meditating on things of him, I do not struggle as much with my many insecurities. However, when I am in the middle of them, it is so hard to see/remember the simple answer: “turn back toward the LIGHT.”
I liked that imagery as well. I don’t always look at it that way. I have lately felt like there was a shadow over me. While I know that I have not been as faithful in my prayer time or study time, I never really thought about the darkness coming from not turning towards the light.
Last year I was called into mission work. I’ve quit my full time teaching position and am now struggling month to month. While I don’t doubt this decision, it’s been more challenging than I anticipated. It can be a bit disheartening, and I know I need to turn to God for a bit of a confidence booster. That is why I chose this study. He gives me confidence, and I am lacking that right now. I so desperately need to rely on Him for everything in my life.
The parts of chapter 1 that spoke to me were to many to put here. LOL. The part that spoke the most was we have to stay in God’s word. That is what we have to have on our hearts day and night. When I don’t read my Bible I struggle more then when I do. When we dig down deep in his word we learn more about him and his promises. At this time in my life I know i am meant to be here because he has called me to change my job and do a Women’s bible study at my church in the evening. I am scared to death but I do trust him that if he is leading me to it he will lead me through it.
I will be giving up time on my computer. I am in several groups in my email so I left some good things so I can get the best things that are offered in this study.
Beth- I’m learning that we do have to stay in the word. A lady at church has shared from the scriptures that we suffer from the lack of knowledge, That resonated with me along with “it doesn’t have to be this way”. I’m also using the scripture in Jer “But let him that glory-glory in this-that he understandeth and knoweth me.
I have such a problem with worry, trusting and believing that God is in control. I dwell on issues.The thing that hinders me is Faith & Trust/. What I need to do this week is Believe
Mary Ann
I so understand your feelings. I am in the same place. Although I realize I need to move from this place to letting God handle the issues in my life. I long to be completely confident in God. Thanks for sharing.
I agree, I am struggling with self image and struggling knowing that God should be all that matters with these types of issues. It’s a tough place to get out of..
I am there with you Mary Ann, hopefully we both leave this study trusting and believing He is in control and surrender ourselves to Him.
Mary Ann,
I just wanted to say that I too struggle with the same things. I recently finished a bible study and during that I opened my eyes and God showed me how he is in control and even things we don’t like are proven to be part of his plan. So I suggest keeping your eyes open for improve in situations. And remember prayer for God’s will not your own. The greatest thing I have learned is patience. And with this study I hope to continue trusting in God’s will.
Hi Mary Ann,
I know exactly what you are talking about. Several years ago all I had was anxiety that was making me physically ill. I realized the negative thoughts were from Satan and I could stop them with prayer and imagining armor going up around my mind and those thoughts bouncing off. I wrote Ephesians 6:10-20 on an index card and carried it around with me. I learned that with God’s help I could fend off the negative thoughts. Another great book to read on battling negative thoughts is Joyce Meyers “Battlefield of the Mind.” We can take control and don’t have to be victims of our thoughts. I’m praying for you Mary Ann. You are on the right path.