fbpx Top

Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

When You Need A New Script

 

If there’s one thing that throws me into a ditch of self-doubt and discouragement, it’s when I act ugly with the ones I love. 

Today, I’ve asked my amazing friend Lysa, who is also president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, to share how “losing it” with her loved ones effects her. It’s something she talks about in her New York Times Best-selling book, Unglued,

__________________

I’m sad because of the way I acted today. Disappointed in my lack of self-control. And the more I relive my emotionally driven tirade, the more my brain refuses sleep.

I have to figure this out. What is my problem? Why can’t I seem to control my reactions?

I stuff. I explode. And I don’t know how to get a handle on this. But God help me if I don’t get a handle on this. I will destroy the relationships I value most and weave into my life permanent threads of short-temperedness, shame, fear, and frustration.

Is that what I really want? Do I want my headstone to read, “Well, on the days she was nice she was really nice. But on the days she wasn’t, rest assured, hell hath no fury like the woman who lies beneath the ground right here”?

No. That’s not what I want. Not at all. I don’t want the script of my life to be written that way.

So, at 2:08 a.m., I vow to do better tomorrow. But better proves illusive and my vows wear thin in the face of daily annoyances and other unpleasant realities. Tears slip, and I’m worn out from trying. Always trying.

I feel broken. Unglued, actually. I have vowed to do better at 2:08 a.m. and 8:14 a.m. and 3:37 p.m. and 9:49 p.m. and many other minutes in between. So why aren’t things getting better? Why aren’t my reactions tamer?

I know what it’s like to praise God one minute and in the next minute yell and scream at my child—and then to feel both the burden of my destructive behavior and the shame of my powerlessness to stop it.

The emotional demands keep on coming. Unrelenting insecurity. Wondering if anyone appreciates me. Feeling tired, stressed, and hormonal.

 Feeling unglued is really all I’ve ever known. And I’m starting to wonder if maybe it’s all I’ll ever be.

Those were the defeating thoughts I couldn’t escape. Maybe you can relate. If you relate to my hurt, I pray you will also relate to my hope.

While unglued is all I’ve really known, I believe that with God’s help, today my life can be different. That’s my personal revelation of hope.

Today, I’d like to invite you to take the you the “Unglued Challenge” for the next 5 days {you can find out more below and enter Renee’s giveaway}. In my 5-days To Better Reactions challenge, you’ll find encouragement and a safe place to talk about our tendencies to stuff, explode, or react somewhere in between.

I am both a stuffer and an exploder. And I’ve experienced God’s tender mercies and grace given so many times it almost seems scandalous. How can our God be so patient? I don’t know. But He is.

Today, He’s offering us the fresh start our souls desperately need. Isaiah 41:13 promises He will help us. We can be different. A slate wiped clean. A page crisp-white. A chance to start rewriting the old scripts of past failures.

For me. For you. Together. We can do this.

Prayer: God, thank You that this is a new twenty-four hours. Today, I want to believe I can start writing a new script for my life. Help me to overcome the disbelief I have from my past failures. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thought for the Day: While feeling unglued is all I’ve really known, today my life can be different.

__________________

Today’ post is from Day 1 of Lysa TerKeurst’s 5-day Unglued Challenge that includes FREE devotions from Unglued- Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions. If you want to learn how to respond with no regrets by managing your tendencies to stuff, explode, or react somewhere in between get Unglued, for 25% OFF through Proverbs31 Ministries today. 

 THE UNGLUED GIVEAWAY
Just do ONE or ALL of the following:

For EACH thing you do, leave a different comment. You’ll be entered to win each time!

Purchase the book for 25% off {or any Unglued resource}

Sign up for the 5-day Challenge {see right sidebar}.

Share this post via email, Facebook or Twitter {see buttons below}

Watch Lysa TerKeurst on The Today Show {Yes, The Today SHOW! We’re so excited!!} She’ll be on Monday (9am segment) and Tues (10am segment) Eastern Standard Time.

Click “Share Your Thoughts” to tell me which ones you did and why you want to win!


Grand Prize Winner  will receive 2 books
+ 1 DVD curriculum and participants guide.
And I’ll give away 3 more books to 3 more winners!

Comments

  1. This book sounds like so many of us need it. We all have our days like Lisa but with Gods help we can all over come our weak spots. Fast, pray and believe without doubting.

  4. I signed up for the challenge – very excited. I NEED this book…just ask my husband and kids! : )

  6. I would really love to win your book! A few weeks ago I turned 50 years old and I had a long conversation with The Lord telling him how tired I was with not loving myself. My thoughts consisted of self doubt, and low self worth. Then a friend of mine sent me your 5 day challenge. I’ve been reading it faithfully and ask The Lord for his help to change my thoughts now that I’m starting the next half of my life. I want to help other ladies love themselves and with your book and Gods faithfulness I can do all things!!

  7. I have been this “Unglued” woman for most of my life. I am 59 years old and the mother of 7 children and 4 grandchildren. I have prayed and prayed so many times about this. I would love to win the book and the dvd and teaching series so that I can use it with the women of my church. (I am the pastors wife.)

  10. I also got to watch Lysa on the Today Show this morning!! Definitely tuning in tomorrow morning too! 🙂

  14. I am already signed up for the challenge 🙂
    WOW, I always feel so awful when I come apart and show my “ugly” to my loved ones.
    So need God to step in when it starts to happen. I have gotten better, but still need work <3
    Thank you for the chance 🙂

  15. I would love to win! This really spoke to me because I have been in a slump all week. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, sIster, friend, employee, daughter, daughter-In-Law, you catch my drift! I am the sole caregiver to my 86 year old Mama (with dementia). It’s just difficult sometimes to be all to everyone! 🙂

  16. One thing that is not on my list is remembering what I signed up for and what I didn’t. I rest assured in the system that when I tried to sign up for the 5 day Challenge….I am already on the list. Too much going on in my life to become un-glued. Resting that God is in control and letting HIM be in control of my reactions too.

  17. I wasn’t finished reading this post when I saw Lisa on the Today show. Lol! I told my husband, “Look, I’m reading her post right now!” Ha ha! Good read. Both my husband and I are stuffers, but a lot of times I’m an exploder towards my children and I’ve had to work very hard everyday to control my emotions and outbursts towards them. I do apologize to them, which is huge. Parenting is daily, minute by minute, always full of grace and mercy. Thank you, Lord!

  19. I bought the book for my new Kindle, I’m going to sign up for the 5day challenge and I would love to win the books, dvd and guide so that I can do this study with a few friends… we so need this right now and my budget is very tight… which made the Kindle deal a couple weeks ago even sweeter for me!!!

  20. I shared this post on facebook. I alsoI signed up for the challenge and then got a double treat . I was able to then signed up for the No More Unglued Momma Challenge. Being that I homeschool and surround myself with 5 childen on my best and worst days, I could really use the Grand Prize. Alot of times it’s the ones closest to me that get the blunt of my frustrations when I become flustered with life situations. It like living an unbalanced life and you are a ticking time bomb. My family walks around on egg shells because they never know what might be the trigger to my next outburst. I don’t want my children to mimic my current reactions. So I am expecting the Favour of God to be in full manifestation for this giveaway.

    Be blessed,
    Tiffany

  24. So excited that you will be on the Today show to share your book and God’s word. I can’t wait to watch!

  25. Wow! It looks like I was not the only one that needed to read this devotional (or who wants to win the book ;). Lysa thank you for your honesty and insight into the ugly subject of becoming Unglued. I say this with a smile but it really is anything but funny to “lose it”. The fall out hurts everyone and it feels so defeating as a wife and wife. I prayerfully look forward to the 5 day challange.

  26. Oh, my gosh. When I read your post today it was like Lysa had glimplse into my life. I have wondered these things for a while now. How is it that I can go to church and Praise God and feel Him so strongly and then when I get home the least little thing sets me off.

    i feel like such a hyprocrite sometimes. I don’t like to scream at my kids, but it’s like I can’t help it, the more i try to stop, the more i do it.

    What can I do to stop this vicious cycle.

  29. I’ve got the DVR set for the Today Show today and tomorrow. Looking forward to her segments.

  31. I feel Unglued and don’t like that about myself. I know my husband and three young kids would like it if I was doing better in this area. Plus, I know several others moms in my boat who would benefit. Thanks for the chance!

  33. This may be the first Bible Study God actually wrote for me through you, uncanny how this blog post jumped out at me. I would like to win the Grand Prize so I can learn to become Unglued and then share my testimony with others. I am excited to turn on the Today Show and watch Lysa give her personal testimony on mainstream media!

  34. I would love to win this package as my husband and I have been chosen to help lead a new church plant. We have a TON of young families in this church plant! This would be a WONDERFUL study for our young mom’s with many kiddos! 🙂

  35. I have the book on my kindle, and I would live to win this bundle. I teach a group of ladies on Monday nights and I think this would be great for my ladies. I could give the extra book to someone that can’t afford it. We just finished A Confident Heart a few months ago and several ladies have asked about this book. Also, I want sign up for the challenge but I couldn’t figure out how.

  36. I can’t afford to poo purchase book and tried to sign up for the challenger but didn’t see where to sign up, will try to see from a computer. Also can’t watch her on tv. I would love to win a copy of this study. I really need this study. I need help with this in my life.

  37. Well, currently I learned that I need to look at others as I was looking through God’s eyes and not my own. in doing this i can love and serve others as God has and wants me to. Not to mention what comes from my lips..lol I kinda started challenging myself and praying that God will help me with this matter. I made a lot of changes in myself,family and marriage.
    I know I could bring this to the Womens Ministry and challenge them and God come out on top!!
    Praying I win!!
    Love All that Proverbs 31 has to offer!!

  38. I signed up for the 5 day challenge…would like to win to further release myself from the ugly strongholds in my life.

  39. Signed up for the 5-day challenge. Will be sharing this link also with my friends on Twitter & Facebook. Watching for Lysa on the Today show.

  42. I was so glad when I clicked on your post for today and saw Isaiah 41:13 at the top of the post. I cannot tell you just how timely a reminder that verse is for me today. And Lysa on the Today show!!!!!!!! WOW! How exciting for her, for you, and for the Proverbs 31 ministry! I’m going to tune in at 9am to watch!

    Thank you, ladies, for all you do to encourage, bless, and give guidance based on God’s truth to all of us. I am truly thankful this day for you and this ministry : )

    Sweet Blessings,
    Pam

  45. Oh I can so relate to this. I am a walking time bomb it seems only to my best friend… Recently I thought I had lost the friendship because of my episodes… So grateful for this post,will take the challenge and yes enter all drawings for more on this book… I am unable to purchase right now but will add to my wish list. Thanks!!

  48. This book has been on my “must read” list since before it was even released, but with the chaos and busyness of life, I haven’t yet purchased it. I signed up for the 5-day challenge because, after spending some time this evening crying out to God over how bad I felt about how short-tempered I was toward my kids all weekend and begging Him to help me be a better mom, I saw this post in my inbox and knew I needed the challenge. I volunteer at my church as the single moms’ ministry leader, and I think this study would be such a blessing to so many of the moms I work with. I know I could use it.

  49. I signed up for the challenge. I would love to have the book to do a study with friends! This topic is much needed to be talked about from the christian women view! Thanks so much for sharing and blessing us to grow!

  50. I won’t be home during the Today segments, but will DVR them. So excited that Lysa has the opportunity to share her ministry in front of a national audience. I want to win because I think this will be a perfect study to share with the ladies in our community groups. It’s definitely something any woman can relate to no matter the season she is in. Thanks for sharing!