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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When friends and coworkers see me, they see a strong, confident woman. On the inside, I’m a mess. Naming this mess, self doubt and insecurity now makes so much sense. Naming it means I know what to give to God, what I need to pray about, specifically. Naming it makes it real and sometimes all we need to do is know is that what we’re feeling is real, and that it has a name, and that others feel this way too. Thank you!
I have also dealt with anxiety in various forms which has greatly caused doubt to creep in often without me realizing it. When God shows me my fears and the lies behind them, it brings freedom because then I can lay down that fear by name and cast doubt out from my heart and mind. It is a daily practice, but brings such joy and peace that enables me to find the freedom that can only be found in trustin The Lord.
Looking forward to Thursday’s conversation. I now will be looking forward to reading Renee’s book and Ann’s challenge to list my own 1000gifts. Thank you both.
WOW! The very thing I have been struggling with. Thank you for sharing it. Such a timely message.
I seem to struggle with this exact thing. I would love to read both of these books! This is a great giveaway! Thank you so much!
Just found your blog on proverbs 31 ministries. Love this conversation. Reminds me of conversations with a dear friend of mine a few years back when I was struggling with issues. Would love the book and I will be signing up the updates.
Ann’s book and counting all that Christ is has transformed my life. I am thankful for her passion for Jesus and His gifting me with a bit of her heart through One Thousand Gifts. The battle goes on and as I have taken a path not travelled in the church as I know it, doubt and fear have both reared their ugly head. Naming fear was easier, doubt more sly… both named and claimed and now the daily walk in the comfort of His presence. The pain of the journey has drawn me to Him in a way I can only marvel at. This is the first I’ve seen of Renee’s book. Looks like one I need to get!
You have my attention! I have named it (doubt), now I need the next step. I want the promises from The Lord and to tell this mountain to jump in the sea.
This was something I needed to hear right now. We’ve got the possibility of something very good coming for our family, and I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. My husband and I keep wondering, well, is this really going to happen, we aren’t getting any red flags, but is a roadblock going to come up at the last minute? God, do you really mean for us to have *this*? Perhaps it’s not so much that God isn’t speaking to us as it is that we need to name what’s keeping us from hearing Him. Thank you for sharing!
Two women with a beautiful heart for God and such encouraging words for all.
Thank you.
My, what good timing of this interview. It reminded me again of naming things. So many times the Lord has said to me: “Take this thing in your hands – which looks like a stone – and proclaim it to be bread. Wait until it transforms into bread, and you can even smell the aroma. I’m the Bread of Life; I’m the One who will turn it into what I designed it to be. I promised I would not give you a stone. Trust Me.” As a pastor, I fight self-doubts when a trusted member of the flock displays disloyalty. Someone so close. How that hurts so deeply. Then I remember how His flock turns on Him relentlessly. Lord, help me to name this pain, so I can give it to You to heal.
So true!!!
I am having a really hard time naming my emotions lately which is causing great problems in my marriage and family life. Nice to know I’m not the only one experiencing this.
I would love to learn to do this.
Thank you for this and the opportunity to learn more about it.
I know reading these books would help me in my walk with God.
Both of you are such great blessings. I hope that I am lucky enough to win.
Would love to read both of these books.
Would love to read these books.
It’s most always self doubt for me. I usually don’t call it self doubt when speaking of the turmoil it can cause. I usually refer to my struggle as fear or anxiety of sorts. But truly the bottom line is, and has been, self doubt….self doubt about my body changing, my age, my younger husband, my social awkwardness etc. Well maybe naming it can help. Lord Jesus, I pray.