Do you know if they give “bad blogger” awards? They should give them to people who say they’re going to do a great give-away on their blog, and then they don’t show up until that night to do it – when everyone has logged off their computers. 🙂
Ok, so here’s the honest truth. A bunch of things came up today that I embraced as great excuses for not writing. Why? Because I knew I was going to tell you something that if I tell you, then I’ll have to follow through and do it. And that kind of accountability made me want to change the plan.
It’s that whole stinkin’ doubt thing – you know those thoughts that make you question if you can really follow through on something you feel called to do.
So I am just going to say it…I sense God is calling me to write a book – about DOUBT!!!
I’ve prayed about it, thought about it, spoke about it, been encouraged by friends to write about it, and you better believe I have also doubted it. But now I am going to quit talking, quit doubting and do something about it! I said it. Yes I did! (Whew)
Well, I never ever thought my first book would be on doubt, and honestly I don’t want it to be becauseI’ll be tested in it again and again. Yet, God has allowed doubt to be a struggle most of my life which allows me to write about it from personal experiences and from a personal expression of His life giving power that has been available to me when I BELIEVE.
I pray that these last few posts have somehow encouraged you in your journey, in seeing God’s protection, preparation and process of calling in your life. My hope that is in sharing my story you will see more clearly into yours.
This week I am going to work on my book proposal and I really want you my bloggy friends to be part of this process. Lysa was just asking me the other day if I had thought about getting your input. We talked about how doubt has cast its shadow on all of us, but it affects us differently. So, this is where you come in – and that great give away I promised!
I’ll do a drawing from the comments on this post and any that follow through Wednesday at midnight. Thursday morning I will announce the winner of a $20 gift card to Starbucks, Target or Wal-Mart! (winner gets to choose)
Here is the first thing I’d love to know: How does doubt affect your life?
You can post your answer by clicking “comments” below. Please list your email so I can get in touch if you win. Also, be sure to come back as I’ll be posting other thoughts and questions through Thursday morning.
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I was reading an email my friend sent me and I came across your website. I’m from Dinwiddie County (near Petersburg), VA. My wife packed her luggage and left in the truck with a guy to Tennessee (who has since left her) on 10 February 2008. I haven’t talked to her in 12 days because she acts like we could get back together and then doesn’t answer me when I ask her if she wants to come back to me. I think that she doesn’t know what she wants. She’s also with the first guy’s brother and his family in Tennessee. I love her and I really would like for her to come back to me so that we can start over and be a family again. Please pray for us. God bless, Gerry.
Renee,
Doubt…
It paralyzes me. It keeps me from wanting to get better, become whole in Christ, because it says that I can never live that way.
Doubt that I can keep from falling back into old ways.
Doubt that I can be a good wife and mom.
Doubt holds me back from trying new things.
Doubt asks me if I am really hearing God’s voice or if I am just making it up because its something I want to do.
I try something new, and the enemy really has a heyday with me, filling me with doubt that I could ever be good at it…
I think doubt is a major area in anyone’s life that the enemy really attacks… we hear the doubting thoughts in our heads, as our own voice, and can talk ourselves out of anything.
This book is needed and I think would be well received.
God Bless,
Heather
[email protected]
Doubt has dogged me since I was a child. A lot of it had to deal with being compared with my twin.
And I picked up where everyone left off. Now I compare myself to people automatically. Sigh.
I think the biggest area of doubt is in relationships. I email, don’t get a reply or they take a bit answering a call and I start to hyperventilate with “What did I do to make them angry?” I fear it will be the end of the relationship.
Before meeting new people I obsess with “What if they don’t like me?”
But I am learning that all that doubt and fear puts a lot of weight on relationships. A ton.
So, now I am trying to say, “I may not have done anything. They may be busy. Maybe if I don’t hear from them in a day or so, I’ll check in again and see what they might need.” I still get anxious, but I’m trying to learn to talk myself through the doubt.
Thanks for sharing all of this!
As a mom doubt seems to be most effective in my life. Especially as we are in the throes of raising 4 little ones: tantrums, screaming, yelling, crying…and wondering where in the world the light at the end of the tunnel is.
I doubt/fear that I am going to miss that all important one thing that could be the solution to all my child-rearing problems (even though I know there isn’t a quick patch fix). That otherwise, if I don’t pray enough, respond kindly enough, love them and raise them right…well, there’s just a lot of doubts. 🙂
Jolanthe
Doubt…..I can’t think of a dfay when I haven’t had doubt; it’s a great book topic. I’ve found that recognising it goes a long way towards God conquering it…
Please don’t consider me for the prize – I live in the UK, so the voucher wouldn’t work, and it will give other people more of a chance.
Thanks,
The Broken Man
http://theblogofabrokenman.blogspot.com/