Our word for the week: CONQUEROR
Be sure to print it and post it everywhere! You can download in a PDF or in MSWord.
God’s WORD for US this week:
“No, in all these things you are more than [a] conqueror through Him who loved you.” Romans 8:37
Connecting in Community: As you read Chapter 7, let’s talk about sentences and/or verses we underline or highlight. Do you have any yet? Click “Share Your Thoughts” below to do just that. {And if you’re reading this via email, click here to return to my website to comment.”
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God bringing “gold to the surface” stood out to me due to a dream I had several years ago. In it, I was having “strands” of gold, like the density of a small paper clip, growing on my arms, but each time one would appear, out of concern, my husband would pull it out. Until, they started coming so fast my arm was becoming covered by them! (???)
While reading Ch 7, I think I may be realizing that I feel like a failure concerning my job and/or any of the jobs I’ve ever had. I am never happy and usually quite miserable at most jobs I have had since I had my children. I don’t think I am looking for the job to fulfill me since I don’t want to be working full time, away from home like I have had to do, but nothing I do brings contentment. I feel like I am wasting my life, like I am missing out on something else I was created for, but not sure what that is. Maybe, I am feeling like a failure because I don’t know what I am supposed to do. IDK…rambling a bit here.
Maybe, I need to revisit the chapter and come back later…hope that is ok. 🙂
Maybe the feeling of failure comes from not being able to be content “in whatever situation”….
Hi renee,
I love the section on page 119 where God said to you that He is the gold miner. God sees “the gold of His image woven into” (can I paraphrase it to mean each of our) “hearts” when He created us. It is so awesome that He said to you that He wants to bring “gold to the surface so others can see it too.” I completely believe that He is saying that to each one of us. In us He sees gold and He wants to bring it to the surface.
I have heard this song by contemperory christian artist Britt Nicole. The title of the song is Gold. One of the lines goes like this. “whatever you’ve been told, you’re more than gold. So hold your head up high it is time to shine. From the inside out it shows you’re worth more than gold. gold, gold, you’re gold……….” It is a lovely song that resonated with the idea in this chapter that God is a gold miner who see gold in us and not the dirt.
I also liked the section in page 130 where you say “Although it sounds contradictory, failure can help us become the confident women God created us to be. It can make us become stronger and better –if we go to God for help. Failure produces wisdom when we ask for it and maturity when we learn from it. Failure pushes us to do more than we think we can and try other methods of doing things when one way does not work. Failure can be hurtful but it can also be beneficial.”
I love that section coz I have never heard failure being described as helpful or beneficial in any way. I used to think that at best God will help us overcome failure but I never heard of how God will not only help us overcome but also cause the whole failure experience to benefit us. That is really powerful teaching.
I also loved the section where you described the Mining fr Gold in the heart of your child character chart. I am going to pray about how I can implement it in my home.
This chapter, and this whole book is very very rich. I don’t think we can finish studying this chapter in one week coz there is a lot of good stuff to learn from.
Thanks,
Anna
This week I’ve underlined Revelations 12:10. Psalms 18:35. Romans 8:11. I love that we DO sin. but in Jesus we are NOT sin. Shame says you ARE Bad. Conviction says you DO bad…but God will forgive and cleanse repentant HEARTS! PTL!
What a deceptive enemy we have!!
I, too have been caught in the trap of feeling like there is a part of me that is seriously defective. Too often I feel like a failure as a mom, step-mom, wife, friend, the list can go on and on in my head some days!
Each chapter of this book has been so revealing, and I wish I had more time in my day to spend meditating on them. I know this book will become a daily reference for me. I’ve read many books, but this one is the first that I feel I am really ‘working’ through and I want to thank this entire community for the encouragement I get by reading all your posts.
Chapter 7 is almost entirely underlined, sometimes twice!
Like many of you have already shared, getting a fresh new understanding of the difference between conviction and condemnation was awesome! I pray that God will continue to nudge us with loving conviction so that we can refute the condemnation we get from the enemy!
There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!!! Rom 8:1 (I have that scripture written on my wall in my closet so that I can read it frequently when I am changing!!)
The words that spoke to me from your book Renee, were on page 125…. that “God wants to give us a new starting place”. I had to add (again) to the end of that sentence, I hope that is ok!
I have been given so many chances to start over, Jesus has been so gracious, forgiving, patient and loving towards me when I have been consumed by doubt (fear, guilt, shame, self-loathing…) I totally believe HE wants us all to have Confident HEARTS and I am so thankful HE led me to find this resource on-line.
Have a blessed day
Karen
Something else about this weeks quote stuck out to me. We are more than conquerers THROUGH HIM who loved us. We are conquerers “through him.” I am learning this means that I can relax a bit more and trust Him to do the work. I am especially starting to practice this in the work place by letting go, not staying late and trusting God to help me complete all my assignments within an appropriate time frame.
I am excited to read this chapter. One thing I learned this weekend is the power of perseverance. Specifically in terms of praying God’s Truths and promises out loud and repeatedly throughout the day, even and especially when I don’t feel like it. Praise God! This is changing my heart.
“Some of us feel like we are too…old to make a difference.” This book is helping me realize that I shouldn’t question where life has led me all these years and in my eyes its been an unexceptional life, but to keep trusting God that He has me in His hands. It is because of Him that I am great! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 18:35, “You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great” (NLT). God wants to give us a new starting place. He sees beyond who we are to who we are becoming.
Swope, Renee (2011-08-01). Confident Heart, A (p. 125). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.
I compare myself to others all the time why am I not that courageous or why don’t they like me but I know that God loves me and i we were all the same it would be an interesting world.
I like when you said when God whispered to you that I am that gold mine. You are the one who is so critical of yourself. You are the one who focuses on your mistakes and beats yourself up with accussation and condmenation. Those are not My not thoughts. I see the gold of My image, woven into your heart when I created you. I want to bring it to the surface so others can see it too.
I like that part too
This is my second x through this study! This morning I felt God’s hand and tonight I bombed in the feeling inadequate for anybody, anywhere! I trust God caught me and I can regain that knowledge that I am enough! Thank you Renee for this study! I could have changed your name to mine and tweaked a few of your circumstances and we would be soul sisters! I’m holding on that God lifted you OUT and He has to do the same for me!
Debra in Arkansas
I’m with a few of you, I have a lot highlighted in this chapter. My favorites:
“God wants to give us a new starting place. He sees beyond who we are to who we are becoming.”
“Although you may condemn yourself fo ryour failures, Jesus never will.”
Loved the entire section on conviction vs. condemnation as well as the Failing Forward. “Failure produces wisdom when we ask for it and maturity when we learn from it.”
And I love that you ended this chapter with the realistic reminder that we will continue to have failures. “Every time you fail to eb the woman God calls you to be, or the woman you expect yourself to be, let God remind you of theprogress you’ve made.”
“Even though you may not be quite who you want to be, you are not who you used to be! You get that much cloer to who you are meanto to be every time you fail forward.”
This chapter made me cringe (If I was going to “throw my book away” this is the chapter that I probably would’ve done it). One of the many sentences (well, it’s a whole paragraph!) I underlined is: “In Christ, you are a woman who is becoming all God created you to be. Trusting in His power and relying on His promises, you are a woman who is growing – a woman who is becoming more like Jesus each day. A woman who is not perfect, but who is surrendering to God’s Perfect power and love at work in her.”
God whispered, “Renee, write these words for Jessica” because I am still a work in progress and perfection is my enemy. My shame of failing and/or the possibility of failing has caused me to run away from God when I should reach for His hand/run towards Him and rely on His promises. This study has strengthened my relationship with God and this chapter helped me to realize that my sin/failures doesn’t define who God sees me as. Instead, He sees me as who I am becoming.
This was exactly what I needed today. Was feeling like a failure as wife, mother, and with a lack of career. I’m so thankful for the words of truth in this book. It’s changing my perspective daily.
Hi Stephanie, same here. I was feeling like a failure today @ work. God had plans for me to begin chapter 7 tonight. I really did not feel like it, kept trying to put it off. The enemy was defeated, praise God.
This book has brought me so much healing and a much deeper relationship with God. I also love these forums where I get so much comfort in seeing that I’m not alone in my struggles. I battle with feeling like an outsider looking in and that I’m defective somehow; this is the enemy. It is wonderful to have victory through Jesus!
I love the dog Marni!.
Chapter 7 sentences that spoke to me:
Even whe she falls, she doesn’t stay down. Instead, she reaches for God’s hand and rises again. Proverbs 24:16
I’m never going to not fall, because I’m not perfect. But falling forward knowing God will catch me and lift me back up is a great comfort. Falling backwards, I would stay flat on my back, but falling forwards I fall on my knees which leads me to prayer for forgiveness from the Father and making ammends with other’s if necessary, and continued prayer to keep me moving forward with God’s help!
Conviction vs Condemnation: I need to stop condemning (to be declared unfit) myself for any misdeeds and be convicted (establish an awareness of my sins, especially those which may be habitual) so I can be on the lookout for those times sin may be lurking at my doorstep!
Cool idea about falling forward on your knees. Innever thought about it like that. Thanks
Hey renee thank you so much for the verses that come with those beautiful pictures. I just wanted to say thanks.
I have felt like a failure many times. Some of it. Was true, some of it was Satan’s. Lies. I have felt like a horrible mom most of my children’s lives. I never completed college, I was angry with my parent’s for several reasons, I still feel like I don’t fit in anywhere. This is my second time going through this book and I am eternally thankful for God giving you the words to those of us that have felt this way. I carry the real book and the e-book with me and am constantly making notes, seeing g something new, something meaningful. Mmost of the anger that took my life is gone and I am trying to learn that its ok to be mad but need to handle it differently. Thank you for all of your honesty and willingness to share your thoughts with us!
I want to agree with you and I am running this Study again because there is so much information and areas that I need to spend more time soaking in. Some areas are painful but healing at the same time.
Thank you Renee.
Ellen, sounds like we have a lot in common! This book has been life changing for me. Renee’s word are speaking straight into my heart and my mind is finally grasping and understanding. I have been such a failure and sinner for so long and for so many things I have never truly believed God loves. Why would He as awful as I am? Renee has written out what condemnation vs conviction really is and I finally understand. (ADD runs in the family). I have still so much to learn and understand, but thanks to the Holy Spirit workin through Renee, I know that I belong to Him, and I am going to heaven. I want to live my life for Christ, and maybe I’m over analyzing, but I want to know exactly what He wants me to do for Him. I also must remind myself His mercy is new everyday, so if I messed up yesterday, I have a new day to try again. I just have to keep reminding myself of His truths. We are so blesses Renee has written out the 7 day doubt diet. THANK YOU RENEE!
This chapter is great. There are so many things I underlined, I can’t possibly share them all. The first life changer is my sin is not who I am, it is what I have done AND God wants to come to my rescue and give me victory. This is taking me to a more personal relationship with God. I can finally get how different it is to have the knowledge in my head about God and feeling His presence in my heart. Thank you Renee for sharing your relationship with God in such a personal way.
The second idea is the difference between condemnation and conviction. This is a totally new concept for me. It is a simple yet profound way to distinguish the Holy Spirit from the devil. I can’t begin to tell you how this knowledge will change my outlook. I am so thankful God brought me to your bible study, Renee.
Hey Christine! I agree with you about the difference between condemnation and conviction – gave me a new perspective!
Love hearing how God is working in your life too Jessica.
Hi Christine, Happy Monday! Ditto, you are speaking verbatim for me. Praying that we are drawn closer to the Lover of our souls during this study.
Praying that for you too, Martha!
Hi Martha, Happy Monday to you too. You know, it amazes me how we are all so similar inside and try to cover it up by dressing up our outsides. It’s actually very comforting to know we are learning the same same concepts in our walk with Jesus. Looking forward to hearing more from my sisters in Christ.
Blessings to you Martha
Oh Christine, I love reading how God is speaking to you so personally and giving you new perspectives that are deepening your relationship with HIM. Those two truths changed my life, too, and helped me overcome the power of Satans accusations and condemnation. Walk in those truths sweet friend – I pray you will take them like tools and use them in your life this week 🙂
Amen Sistah Renee & and thank you for sharing what you are learning about conviction vs condemnation Christine. satan has such a good time trying to trip up those of us who love Jesus and Romans 8:37 reminds us of our power in Christ ♥.
I have not read the chapter yet…. but, the verse says everything I need today. I have been struggling with “fitting in ” with people at church and not being good enough this weekend. This morning I believe God spoke to me that I was not made to fit in, but stand out for Him. This verse confined I can accomplish anything God calls me to because He loves me.
Yes Angel you can do anything HE calls you to. I have been in that place where I was new and felt like I didn’t fit in. Everyone already had lots of friends and didn’t need another. God challenged me to be the friend I wish I had. To reach out instead of trying to fit in. To invite a visitor to lunch instead of waiting to be invited by someone in the “in” crowd. It wasn’t always easy but it made me feel like I had purpose — and it was to give instead of getting. I was really blessed in the end and I pray your will be too!
Thank you so much for this encouragement. I am starting to step out of my comfort zone and seek out people to be friendly to. Again as long as I follow God’s will and be who He wants me to be then He will provide those who will be friends to me as well. I will rely on Him to protect my heart and not get hurt. I will rely only on him to fill me and give me confidence. Thanks again.
I cried so much answering the questions in the back of this chapter! I know that it’s so painful, but it’s doing a lot of healing in my heart in not listening to the lies that my failures define me. I am more than a conqueror!
Yes you are Song!! I’m praying for the truths of this chapter to sink deep into your heart. Please take time to read it again and pray the end-of-chapter prayer each morning out loud so that your faith can be strengthened and your heart can be renewed by the power of God’s truth. You are loved and your failures DO NOT get the final say – JESUS does!! Just like the story of the woman caught in adultery – He wants to dismiss your accuser and help you realize He is the only one you stand before. Forgive, redeemed and set free!!