I hated feeling so uneasy and uncertain. Lost within my own heart. If only I knew what was making my emotions so wobbly. If only I could name it. Then I could figure out what to do about it. One morning, Jesus whispered it’s name in the quiet of my heart. It was doubt. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t worry. Self-doubt was making me question everything I thought, felt and said. Naming it helped me know how to pray. Naming it led me to confessions I needed to make and promises I could claim. Naming it made me feel like I could finally stand up to it. Two summers ago, I got to visit the Farm and sit on the porch with my friend, Ann Voskamp. We talked about the power of naming things- the hard and the holy everyday grace things. How essential it is to our healing. We shared how doubt and fear had overshadowed our lives for so long, but how we both found hope and freedom once we learned to name them. Would you join us on the porch? {Be sure to turn up the volume. A tractor passes by and it gets kind of loud.} If you’re reading this via email, click here to view the video on my website.
“When you don’t have a name for something, you’re haunted by it’s shadows…But when you can name something… It loses it’s mask and you can find a strategy to deal with it.” (One Thousand Gifts)
Just days after Ann and I chatted on the porch, I received these two notes. “Renee, I just finished reading the first chapter of A Confident Heart . Thank you so much for writing a book like this and knowing exactly what it’s called that I’m going and have gone through all my life and didn’t know what it was called. ~ Sharon “I’ve always doubted myself, but like you I called mine different names. It felt so good to know and hear that I am not alone and that I can find my God-Confidence. ~ Megin
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Lord, thank you for showing us just how much we need to name that doubt, that fear, that worry – so we can find a strategy to overcome it with You! There is power in Your Name, and power in naming the things that hold us captive. Give us wisdom and insight to name them, and courage to claim and walk in the overcoming power that is ours in Christ. In Jesus Name Amen! Join Us On The Porch Slip a note in the comments below this post by clicking “Share your thoughts.” As a special gift, each of you who join Ann and my conversation will be entered for a chance win one of three copies of A Confident Heart and one copy of Ann Voskamp’s New York Times Best-Seller, One Thousand Gifts. 
Meet Us On the Porch Again This Week? Ann and I kept talking, and we’d love for you to join us on the porch again on Thursday, when we’ll share more. If you’d like a little reminder, enter your email in the box in my sidebar that says
RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES and I’ll slip a note in your inbox when it’s posted.
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I have always prayed about my fears and lack of self confidence in myself and my daughter in general terms but have never fully put a specific name to each one of these. Thank you for the thought and insight you have allowed me to grasp through your talk. I will take a turn on that self discovery road to try to pray in more specific terms to receive the healing I am always praying for.
Naming things makes them clearer, more visible. Thanks to God who gives us those names- the good and the bad, so we are able to recognize them and make them smaller than they first appear
Renee and Ann thank you so much for this video. I read A Confident Heart and did the study, and it blew me away at times, I have grown so much since doing the study, not only as a person, but in God, in Chapter Four, I remembered something from my past, a molestation by a relative as a child. It was buried in my mind, yet when I saw this person, something in me was uneasy, my stomach would tie in knots, but I didnt know why. I started to have dreams during the study of a room, a closet, a shadow. One morning I awoke and saw the shadows face, and instantly knew what had happened to me. In the video you both talk about naming, I now know that my shadow is fear. I am reading Wendy’s book Hidden Joy, I have cried out to God to help me forgive, I cried until I almost choked. I read about Wendy’s struggle with fear, and see how God has helped her and spoken to her, and it just makes me realize God is in control of all, and He will guide us through anything in life. I’m learning to be still and listen for Him to speak. I love Psalm 46:10 Be still and know I am God. God allowed me to remember, and I am healing with His help. Ann you are right “beauty does come out of the ashes”….Through all of the things I have remembered and learned I know that the Lord has called me to forgive. He has whispered two words to me through all of this “grace” and “forgive”. I continue on my journey with my Lord and Savior and love to read His word, I continue to write in my journal, and memorize scripture…I keep my Confident Heart near for reference, prayers and scripture (thanks Renee), I am looking forward to reading your book Ann…One Thousand Gifts……I am truly blessed to walk this journey with my “El Sali” God of my strength….God Bless Anna
Naming it can definitely be a scary thing to do!
This is so true. How many of us have sat by the phone and worried over medical test results, not knowing what to expect because the diagnosis is unknown. Then when the phone call comes and you finally know what is causing your health issues, it’s like a sense of relief, even if it’s bad. But at that point, at least you begin to have direction. You know what to expect. You know there is an answer. We, as humans, are so afraid of the unknown. And that’s why some of us have a hard time accepting God.
Thank you for sharing this powerful message. For me, I can name much of where my self-doubt comes from these days: adjusting to a life that has been completely changed (and limited) by chronic illness – or really, the inability to adjust to it. Overcoming doubt, fear and worry is a daily battle for me… as well as fighting off frustration.
Focusing on the many things I can still be thankful for is a good ‘strategy’ for winning the war against self-doubt…. AND self-pity.
Thank you both.
Thank you for sharing this segment. When we name something it becomes real and we have to face it!
I have never thought about it that way…..maybe that is why I am still struggling with all of my “unnamed worries”. Thanks once again for a great read.
This is so true! I have always struggled with doubting my salvation and the devil knows how to use it to really bring me down! It causes fear, worry, and anxiety! As a wife, and mother to 3 children under the age of 3, it can be a struggle to get through each day with those emotions. Thanks for your ministry!
Thanks Carolyn a light just went on in my head when I read your post, I too have struggled with doubting my salvation for too many years. I will name it and claim God’s promise that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) will not perish but shall have everlasting life. John 3v16
We shall overcome I clung to this verse from Isaiah when my 3 children were young
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
I think it is Isaiah 41
They are just so precious
I have been in a difficult ‘refining’ period this past year…and Satan is constantly trying to fill my thought with fear, worry and doubt! I am leading a Summer Study of Lysa Terkeurst’s ‘Say Yes to God’ at this time…and the two books that you are giving away would be a wonderful follow up! Thank you for your encouragement today…it was needed!
What a GIFT to listen to two of my favorite inspirations. Renee your book came to me at a time when I was struggling with so much darkness and I didn’t understand what it was that was happening. I was literally in a fight for my life. A battle against addiction which I know now stemmed from lies I was believing. I am an overcomer. I am a child of the one true King, I am redeemed, i am blessed, I am chosen. I’m learning and learning how to believe who i am in Christ. Ann, I’m so thankful for the Joy Dare, to look at every little thing and see the gift in it. We have a bluebird nest in our pump. What a wonderful gift that they chose to take up residence in our garden. There’s so much joy in observing them. I’m learning to thank the Lord for all of our circumstances, even the really tough one’s. Thank you ladies for sharing your hearts. Maybe, as my God-confidence grows and I continue to heal, I’ll be able to share my story.
I to have battled these things. But I really live the concept of the Joy Dare- going to teach a session on finding our Joy in Jesus in a month. Gratitude rocks for healing!
“I hated feeling so uneasy and uncertain. Lost within my own heart.” This is me at times. Would love to read your book!
I just love your book A Confident Heart. I like it so much – I bought one for my daughter and mailed it to her two weeks ago. I will have to get us both One thousand gifts too! Hope you both have a great day!
Sue Tingle
Thank you for this message Renee. And thank you for introducing us to Ann’s book. I’ve struggled with doubt for many years. I am learning to release the things that have held me captive. What a wonderful feeling to name them and let them go!
Thank you both for allowing the Lord to use you mightily to help us name those things that would try to steal our joy. I thank the Lord for replacing my doubt with assurance, my fear with boldness, my depression with His joy, my weakness with His strength! Thank you for reminding me to be specific with my prayers & my praise!
thank you. Praying about these very issues of doubt and fear today. Thank you for insight and hope
Naming your doubt or fear makes it real. Then you can take the first step to overcoming it. The power comes the Lord.
What a great little talk – thanks so much.
Being able to name things has helped me to be able to focus on what it is and how to proceed from that point to being set free,
I’ve had so many situations in my life, where naming it really set me free!
And I love how she talks about naming the good as well, it’s so wonderful 🙂