Sometimes I’ll be thinking about something I want to do or something I sense God calling me to, and all of a sudden a feeling of doubt washes over me and whispers to my heart, “You can’t do that. You’re not good enough.”
Out of the blue. I’ll just get that awful, insecure sense of not being good enough. Or smart enough. Or _______ enough. Does that ever happen to you?
For the longest time, I thought I was the only one who struggled with doubt. And I didn’t want anyone to know because I figured they might start doubting me, too.
Now, I didn’t always call it doubt. Maybe you don’t either. I sometimes called it fear. Fear that I’d fail. Fear that I wouldn’t measure up. Fear that I’d look stupid. Or fear that I’d look prideful thinking I could do something special for God.
Other times I’d call it worry. Worry that I was going to disappoint someone. Worry that I might make a mistake and get criticized for it. Worry that I might get started but not be able to finish.
What I’ve realized over the past few years is that these may end up as fear or worry, but they stem from a source of doubt: self-doubt.
I think oftentimes we find ourselves standing in the shadow of doubt because we’re really good at focusing on all that is wrong with us (real or perceived), instead of anything that is right with us. It’s like someone’s telling us we can’t measure up and we believe it. We agree with it. And we live like it’s true.
Rarely do we stop to ask, “Who is saying these things?” Who is causing me to doubt myself? Is it me? Is it someone from my past? Or is it the enemy of my soul disguising his voice as my own?
The Bible opens with the story of a woman who had everything she could want but somehow it wasn’t enough. I think Satan knew Eve’s weakness and tapped into her insecurity of not feeling like she was all that she could be, or should be. His questions and suggestions implied that she lacked what she needed to measure up. He told her she could “be” more and “have” more if she’d just seek after what God told her to stay away from.
Satan convinced Eve that her good enough could come from something other than what God had promised and provided. By believing Satan’s lies her heart revealed that she didn’t believe God’s truth.
Jesus was tempted like Eve, and like you and me. Tempted to find His “good enough” in possessions, position and power – a false promise offered by the devil himself. Yet Jesus’ response was different.
He really believed His Father’s promises. He knew Who He was and Whose He was. His identity and confidence came from the Words spoken by His father. It was the only thing that could defeat the power of Satan’s lies.
You and I have the same power to overcome our enemy of doubt and live confidently in who we are in Christ. But it doesn’t just happen because we know it’s possible. The first thing I’ve learned to do is listen to my thoughts and compare them to God’s Word to see if they match His thoughts towards me. If they don’t, then I start looking for truth to replace the lies that have filled my heart with doubt.
When doubt tells me I’m not good enough, God’s Word tells me I’m wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
When doubt whispers that I am going to let others down and they may give up on me. God’s Word tells me He will never leave me and He knows the plans He has for me that include purpose and hope. Deuteronomy 31:6, Jeremiah 29:11
When doubt whispers that I have nothing to offer. God’s Word tells me that I’m His gift to the world and that I was created in His image. Psalm 127:3, Genesis 1:26
I wish I could share more, and eventually I will…
Because this is the topic of my book (title TBD) that will be released March 2011! I’ve been in Michigan for two days meeting with the publishing/marketing team at Baker/Revell and it was truly amazing. I am so excited to be working with them. And I want you to be part of the process! It will be such a better book with your thoughts and wisdom (and prayers)!
- Will you first let God use you to bless and encourage those who read this (and me) by sharing a doubt you have and a promise from God’s Word that helps you overcome it?
- Can I quote you in my book? This is the message God has called pour out from the pages of my heart to the pages of a book. A book I pray will set the captive free and release many prisoners (everyday women like us), from living in doubt, discouragement or defeat so they can become all that God has created them to be!
Please click the word “comments” below, type in the white box and publish. If you don’t have a blog, click anonymous. Or if you just want to be anonymous, that is fine, too. And I’ll do a drawing for some kind of gift card just to get you all talking. I know you love to win stuff and I love to give it away :-).
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Ooops…forgot a verse: Luke 1:37, "For nothing is impossible with God."
Also, Romans 8:37, "…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
These truths SHOULD remove all doubt.
Ah…doubts! You just want one? 🙂
I never doubt that God can…but I sometimes doubt that He will. I find it so easy to believe He will provide the seemingly impossible for others, but not necessarily for me. I know that draws back to an insecurity issue and realizing who I am in Christ. (Beth Moore has a new book, "So Long Insecurity" coming out in a week and I can't wait to read it!)
I wish your new book was going to be published by next January so we could anticipate purchasing it when you come to my church next year. Oh well, you'll be whetting our apetite for it I'm sure.
It's been said that any belief worth having must survive doubt. Doubt is the beginning and not the end of wisdom. Paul Tillich said that "Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith."
I don't think doubting is necessarily a bad thing. It was a year of questions and doubts that brought me to a fuller understanding of how much God loves me.
So excited for all you are doing my friend.
Love ya,
Joy
Renee,
The topic of your book sounds great! I, too, struggle with worry, fear, anxiety, etc. My younger daughter has Down syndrome, I'm going through menopause (you've prayed for my sleep before – thanks!), among other things.
One of my favorite Scripture verses is 2 Corinthians 4:7: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves" (NASB).
Love, Andrea
Renee, I love this message the Lord has given you. My struggle is more with fear than doubt, and it has stemmed from fear of criticism or failure. Especially with those in authority over me. I ran circles around my dad when I was growing up so as not to invoke his criticism. I shriveled at his disapproval.
So this fear has mostly translated into speaking in front of groups, and oddly, I heard the Lord tell me a long time ago that "I would be doing that one day"
So here I am, I have taken every opportunity to speak in front of groups~detirmined never to let a fear keep me from something.
Sunday I gave testimony in church about the value of attending women's confrences, and promoted one coming up. That normal anxiety was haunting me the hour before, I went to be quiet before the Lord, and He graciously reminded me of the two verses that He has used to give me freedom:
Galatians 2:20
Zechariah 4:6~Victory!
Hi Renee. I have really enjoyed your blog and reading you journey with you new baby!!
Here's my story…
I grew up as an overweight child/teenager. My family treated me great. However, children can be cruel to someone who is "different". So for many years I lived with the name calling, bullying, etc. If you hear those kinds of negative comments enough, you start beliving them and that's what I did.
For such a long time I knew that God loved me and had called me to some sort of music ministry. I was even part of a southern gospel singing group that traveled locally around North/South Carolina. Even though I would get up and sing with them and see God minister through us and our music, I would still wonder if I was good enough! As I would get back on the van to travel home nights the messages would start playing in my head. "You are not good enough to get up and sing like you are doing… look at all those other groups… they are better than you are…" and so on!
Then about two years ago God tapped me on the shoulder to take over as choir director for my local church. I knew that this was God because there were different people who confirmed it. I had always sung in choirs but never directed one. Of course the doubts were there. "You don't know what you are doing… You are going to fall flat on your face… You will make a fool of yourself in front of your church family." When I was praying and seeking God for this decision I ended up in Esther one night. I read the scripture Esther 4:14 "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" It was just like God was in the room with me saying, "This is your time".
So in spite of the doubts, I took the position. I have never been more pleasantly surprised. I am enjoying this more that I could have imagined and the choir members and church family are being blessed as well! God has been so good to me. I'm the last person who I would have picked to do this. The only answer I have to that is "His ways are higher than mine".
I always felt like the only type of job I could do was to answer phones for someone because I'm blind. I got a job in 2001 answering the phones for a small business. After working for a few months my boss gave me more responsibilities like opening the business and getting things started for the day. She even made me supervisor over the other employees because I was always there. I had to come up with ways to do some of the things she gave me to do. She never let me use being blind as an excuse for not doing something that she felt I could do. Sometimes I have doubts about being able to do something because I'm blind but I know if I can find a way to do something I can do it.
The Scripture that was given to me to live by is Philipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV)
You may quote me if you'd like.
Renee, I often hear that little voice of doubt whispering in my ear concerning getting a book published. I'm not talking curriculum, but a real book with a publisher.
I've seen so many people that I know personally get books published (you and about 20 others!) and in one respect that's awesome because it gives me hope that ordinary people can do great things for God. On the other hand, it also leaves me wondering, "What's wrong with me? I must not be good enough."
The verse I stand on for my lifelong dream of having a book/s published is Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Not if you do everything perfectly. Not because you have stellar qualities. But because you delight in Him. I also know, though, that when we delight in the Lord He will cause our hearts to line up with what He desires for us. We may find that "our" desires change to "his" desires for us.
I absolutely love what the first commenter said about putting on your royal robes and remembering who you are. That's totally awesome!
Renee, I love reading your blog as it so inspires me!! My biggest doubt would be how God can ever use me as a divorced/single woman/parent. There are times when I thought my life was over but God promises me that I am still valuable to Him. There is always a story before the glory!! Jeremiah 29:11 is the verse that I cling to. Because of the journey I have been on for three years now, I have a desire to help other divorced women. There are many times I have felt alone and left out but have to remind myself that there are others who have gone and are going through this also. God never wastes anything we go through. He only uses it to grow us and mold us!! Thank you for all you do and I pray God will continue to use you mightily. Thanks, Deena Wilson
God must know exactly what I need to know today. I just read another blog from proverbs31.org, and now yours! And both hit straight to my heart in battles I'm having today. About doubt…I have been feeling that all week. And it is time I find a stop to it. Thank you for the encouragement! 😀
Great topic Renee!
I have been struggling with a lot of health issues lately as well as stress. I find myself often anxious. Recently the Lord directed me to Psalm 4:8 "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." So each day I am claiming His peace in my life.
Blessings,
Pearls
I have been on a journey for about a year now. I have had a lot to overcome, move past and try to understand.
During this time I have read a lot of things relating to my needs and how others have overcome and moved past their struggles. One common phrase I heard over and over was "have faith." I thought I knew what it meant to have faith.
I recently read someone's explanation of the kind of faith I had…"dead" faith. I wasn't putting to work what I knew He was telling me to do. And all during this time I continued to hear "You can't do that!" from Satan.
I guess I thought everything would eventually change if I gave it enough of time. I even prayed to have more faith but when I realized what was expected of me, I was waiting for that "magical" moment that it would all be just fine.
Well one day He could not have been more clear to me. I read Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Not only was I "dead" in my faith, I was being disobedient and not pleasing Him.
I can't change everything all at once and I realize now that it is a growing process. I am stepping out of each comfort zone one at a time. I am taking one baby step at a time. Some are harder than others but each time I feel Him tell me…."Now that wasn't that hard, was it?" And there have even been times I wanted to shout to Satan…"Yes I did do it!"
God also has laid on my heart two years ago to write a book. I kept hearing that small, quiet voice telling me to write it down. I argued with Him that I was not a writer, I had never gone to college, I had never written anything except to journal for my own eyes. I just kept hearing,
"write it down. I finally started and have written now for the last two years. Not only did start that first book, but I have three in the works and have joined a blog with other christian women. I don't know what the future holds for my writing, but I can say it has helped me to grow, I have been encouraged with it, have grown even closer to the Lord through this process, and have made some wonderful friends through my blogging journey. I say when you hear that whisper, "You're not good enough", shout back, "Oh yes I am, I am a daughter of the King and with Him, I can do all things!"
Kris Bridgman
I think this topic will hit home with alot of us, especially women. I find the devil likes to constantly attack my mind with self doubt, worry, fear. I am homeschooling mom with no formal education and he likes to tell me I am not good enough to teach my kids. So thankful God comes and calms that self doubt and tells me He has called me to do this. There are so many more…just not enough space. Look forward to reading your book.
Oh Renee, Reading this really has me thinking, in a good way!! I have often heard those whispers, sometimes even screams of doubt! They can be paralyzing and often lead to more doubts and lies. This last year I feel God has helped me combat this more and it is amazing. I have consumed myself with most doubts that are out there, but the last year it seems the focus has been on the "You don't deserve this or You're not worthy" line of thinking. Last year after one of our initial Rise and Shine meetings and a visit on the phone with you, I remember telling my husband "I don't deserve to be doing any of this." There was plenty of reason to doubt – I knew it was all beyond me, but I trusted God could make it happen, but my hang up wasn't centered on my ability but instead my worth – I really didn't think I was good enough. After sharing my thoughts Job says to me, "How do you think Mary felt?" He had me there and her story has been one I continually go back to, neat how she was the focus of one of your talks at Rise and Shine. A few verses that jump out at me – Luke 1:28, "Greetings favored woman! The Lord is with you!" 30 "Don't be frightened Mary (Jill) the Lord has decided to bless you." 35 – "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." His power is bigger than me, even my weaknesses and doubts. I could go on but you know the story…
The study of Mary went full circle this year as I played her part in our Christmas program – her story literally came to life for me. I posted more about that here – http://titus24u.blogspot.com/2010/01/me-mary.html But as the year came to end and I reflected on the previous 12 months I was humbled to see how in a way her story was mine.
Doubts and the lies they create can truly keep us, me from truly receiving the blessings He wants to give. Like Mary I must believe, let go of fear and trust it will be as He says. Do I deserve what He offers? No. Am I worthy to be a child of the King? According to my doing, no, but because of His doing, yes!! For me, moving past (or trying to) the doubts I have about my worth has helped in the battle with other doubts as well. I guess it comes down to believing who God says I am, a servant girl like Mary, who is favored and one He wants to bless.
Thanks for stirring my thoughts today Renee! I will continue to pray for you and the writing process!! Blessings, Jill
Hello Renee: Wow, you are on to something really deep here girl. Who doesn't feel like this at some point in their life and journey. Unfortuntely doubt, fear, worry,stops us from progressing in what God has in store for us. The enemy knows it and we know it so why do we continue to give into these feels that can be paralyzing to not only our spiritual walk but also our lives as women. Then the feeling that now that we realize it, it's to late to do anything about it…I'm in my 40s, 50s,60s so I have wasted so much time…more feelings of failure start to creep up and take over our mind and soul.
Renee, thank you so much for sharing your topic with us. I look forward to hearing and reading more about it.
This is such a timely topic!!
I have struggled with all the self-doubt, fears and worries that you mentioned at one time or another. However, it seems the one that has been slapping me around over and over again recently is “the fear of looking prideful.” Almost two years ago God called me to begin speaking and teacher to woman. I have my first event this March and it is at my own church. I have been so reluctant to tell others (outside my circle of prayer partners) about this calling because of the fear of looking prideful. Yet God has so gentle reminded me that I will not be booked for speaking events if no one knows I am speaking. He has confirmed in my heart and to others so many times that I just can’t ignore it. I will be praying for you as you continue to walk in your calling.
Hello Renee: Wow, you are on to something really deep here girl. Who doesn't feel like this at some point in their life and journey. Unfortuntely doubt, fear, worry,stops us from progressing in what God has in store for us. The enemy knows it and we know it so why do we continue to give into these feels that can be paralyzing to not only our spiritual walk but also our lives as women. Then the feeling that now that we realize it, it's to late to do anything about it…I'm in my 40s, 50s,60s so I have wasted so much time…more feelings of failure start to creep up and take over our mind and soul.
Renee, thank you so much for sharing your topic with us. I look forward to hearing and reading more about it.
Silvia
It is rather interesting for me to read the article. Thank you for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read a bit more on that blog soon.
Hey Renee;
God has laid a women's ministry on my heart that just won't go away. There are days when I am so overcome with fear and doubt, especially that I will fail because I don't know enough or am not certified or officially trained for this ministry even though I am in seminary and have years of experience in certain fields.
Just the other day I was so overcome with gratitude and love for my Lord because in spite of my real and perceived shortcomings, He has called me to this ministry. It is not of my choosing. I am not my own, but solely His. As I basked in His presence, I realized that my fear is not only about failure, but also about success. This ministry is so much bigger than I am and there is no way in the world I can do it on my own. A huge responsibility is attached to this vision and I don't want to disappoint my heavenly Father.
Last summer I won your DVD on doubt. Unfortunately, my schedule has been so hectic that I have not had time to sit with it, but everytime I look at or think of it, I remember that you did it for those of us who doubt as encouragement towards taking the step to believe we are called and can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. When I am overcome with doubt I often think of the fact that you made that DVD for His purpose and if you ever wonder if you are qualified, look over the Proverbs 31 Ministry and see all of those whom you have touched. And if that doesn't convince you, look at Aster.
We serve a mighty God who will bless those who are obedient and faithful in spite of their unbelief, self-doubt and fear. He is there to help carry the load. It is good to have someone to lean on.
Be blessed.
Monica
Hi, Renee! Great topic. I am finding found that God often chooses the most unlikely individuals for His greatest works. This is comforting because the is hope for me, too!
When God was calling me to write my first book I had many doubts. I had no money to self-publish, an autistic child at home, and by the way, who am I to write a book anyway? You don't have to answer because I know that answer: Alone, no one special at all. But with God…I can do "all things!"
I remember thinking about the impossibility of getting a book published but even more importantly, what would I say to others in it? I had no gift of conversation. And yet, I felt strongly that He was calling me to write it.
The story that got me moving was found in Esther. God wall calling her to approach a most-powerful king (who had not even called for her for quite some time) in order to save an entire race. There are so many reasons why Esther could feel she was no match for such an incredible task. But she went… and you know the rest of the story.
But here is the thing I MOST REMEMBER about that story: Before she walked into the king's presence, she put on her royal robes. She REMEMBERED WHO SHE WAS.
God wants us to put on our own royal robes, spiritually, and REMEMBER WHO WE ARE. We are children of the MOST HIGH. Apart from God, we can do nothing, but with Him….anything. When doubt whispers…we need to remember WHOSE we are, and like Esther, put on that royal robe!