It’s been about a year and a half since Barry and I had the conversation that I referenced in today’s devotion. One night recently as we talked at bedtime, I asked, “So how do you think my confidence is doing?”
His reply blessed my heart and made me smile. “I see you as a jet roaring down the runway just about to take flight.”
I love that he sees my confidence restored, but I especially love that it’s more solidly in Christ than ever before. Rereading today’s devotion coupled with the release of Renee Swope’s new book A Confident Heart have created an inner desire to really examine what’s happened in the past year that has led my husband to see a change in me.
Renee has a quote in the book that stopped me in my tracks and resonated in the recesses of my heart. She says, “Isn’t it easy to neglect ourselves to meet the needs of everyone around us and call it self-sacrifice? It sounds godly. But in doing so we risk shutting down a place in our soul where God’s dreams and gifts are waiting to be revealed.”
I love that thought. We are called to service and even self-sacrificial service at times. What we aren’t called to do is to neglect, abuse or suffocate the unique vision-filled person that God created. A huge part of regaining what Renee calls my God-confidence (as opposed to self-confidence) was allowing myself to dream God-sized dreams again and taking steps of obedience to pursue those dreams.
Next Step Speaker Services, born from one of those big dreams, was launched at She Speaks 2010, and it’s the fruition of all kinds of God-work in me done over decades. I’ve found a big part of my true calling. Walking in my calling has done a restorative work on my God-confidence that I could have never imagined.
That’s only part of the story, but it’s a big part. Rather than tell more of my story, I’d love to hear yours. Please leave a comment at this blog today (please also visit the Next Step blog, but leave your comment here) telling something that has helped restore your God-confidence or asking for prayer for restoration of your confidence. Your comment will enter you to will a copy of Renee Swope’s book A Confident Heart. I’ll be praying for every prayer request left and rejoicing with those who leave restoration stories. The winner will be announced in Monday’s blog post. It would be a great help if you'll leave both your name and email address in case you win. :)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Building God-Confidence
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69 comments:
Thank you for this devotion. God has spoken to my heart this morning. I don't even know where to start with having God-confidence or dreaming God-sized dreams. Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you for your devotion this morning. It came at a perfect time. I just recently took a new job abroad and have felt a major lack of confidence in being here. I feel God stretching me way past what I am use to and am having a hard time feeling confident about my new role. Just last night I was talking to a friend about my lack of confidence here. I really felt God speak to me this morning through your devotion...I truly feel God is rebuilding my confidence to be solely in Him, not in myself. Thank you!
This is an area of struggle for me, but one in which I long to grow. I, too, have been crushed by a series of events in my family, but God is good, and He is leading me. Thank you for your prayers.
This devotion resonated in my heart this morning as I too have had all the confidence knocked out of me. Because of medical reasons I have moved to a small town with my husband leaving family, friends, church home, and the comfort of all my familiar surroundings I grew up with. We have been here five years and I still have not made any friends, have not found a new church home and the confidence I once had is all but gone. It is my prayer that I am able allow God to work in me re-building my confidence to become the woman He designed me to be. I appreciate you sharing your story and ask for your prayers
Thank you for your devotion today. I have struggled with confidence for years. As a teacher I have experienced many years of feeling inadequate and ineffective. I have found that I need to daily bring this situation to the LORD and let him take control. It is not easy, but that is the only way to handle life.
I have been struggling with my relationship with God for about 2 years and I don't know why. Reading about Renee Swope's new book and reading your Proverbs 31 devotion and blog has helped me realize that my confidence is gone and that is why my relationship with God is weak. I have an 8 year old son with autism and it has beat me up and knocked me down. I can't cure him and it tears me apart. This along with some broken relationships has stripped me of my confidence. I am ready for God to build it back up better than ever. Please pray for me. amiee9 at live dot com
I have struggled with my confidence all my life. In the last few years I have grown closer to God and I am relying more on Him everyday. I like the devotional and I can't wait to read "A Confident Heart" by Renee. Thanks for your devotional today.
Glenda P.
Thanks for the words about confidence. That is something that many of us struggle with these days I believe.
I've also struggled with confidence for as log as I can remember. But lately God has been showing me that it is because of my tendency to place my confidence in myself and not in Him. Please pray for me because this is a big issue for me, though I know God will complete this good work in me eventually.
Ashley
I so resonate with your devotion this morning... I like you was filled with the "I can do it" mentality and a number of things have broken me down to a pile of mush that focuses on everyone else's needs above my own... I need to find more time to be with God and hear his calling as well as time to have those God sized dreams!! Thank you to you and to God that he has helped you use you struggles to encourage others!!! So cool!!!
Thank you for your post. I understand what you mean when you said that God allows 'bad' things to make us into a better person. My husband and I are on totally different wavelengths at the moment and have been for over a year now. He refuses to go to counseling so I have gone alone. Then he told me he would go but has yet to take that initial step. Thank you for reminding me where my confidence should be even when the future looks very uncertain!
Amy,
Your words were very encouraging to me today. It seems that when I seem to be trusting God and walking more confidently in the way He is leading me, someone comes along and makes a comment that sends me back two steps. But just this week God showed me a vesre in Job 42:2. It has reminded me that the dream that he has placed in my heart can be accomplished. Gods plans cannot be thwarted.
You spoke right to my heart. I have always been an "l can do it myself" type of girl. Reading today's Devo and Renee's doubt diet, I am convicted of my lack of God-confidence. That is what I am praying for.
Thanks and God bless!
Heidi Ann
This devo resonated with me this morning as well. Thank you. This once-confident woman struggles daily, sometimes hourly, to find purpose in life & trust God that He still is good, loving & in control. For over four years now I have been living with the debilitating fatigue and multiple other symptoms of M.E./CFS. Even the most simple daily tasks can use all of my available energy for the day. I cannot work or even commit to a simple volunteer role at this point. I had to leave a Bible teaching ministry I absolutely loved. On the heals of the health crash came slander, a move, financial challenges, and other layers of trials that have challenged my faith to the core. Rarely am I able to make it to church because my body doesn't function well in the mornings. That translates to no church home yet after living here a couple years. And no friends. It's hard to meet people in a new city when you can't get out much. By God's grace & faithfulness, I'm emerging from the "black hole" that threatened to suck the very life from my faith, but my confidence in both God and myself has taken a brutal hit. I can relate to your post & previous reader comments that the rebuilding of confidence must be confidence in God, not in myself. I do trust that Sovereign God is faithful and will somehow, someday, glorify Himself through this. His name & renown are the desire of my heart. God-confidence....oh, how I want that seed to take root & grow!
Thank you for being so transparent in your struggles. God is using you to set me free.
Thank you for being so transparent which helps each of deal with our struggles of confidence.
I love your devo this morning because God has been working on the very same thing in my life. I have decided to keep knocking on His door by praying every single day,
"Lord, please transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. I want to be a confident, forward-looking, abundant-living and free woman! Thank You for the work You are doing in me."
Sometimes even just praying those words is hard, but once they're out of my mouth I'm reminded again of His power, His might, His penchant for doing the "impossible" with us when we're at our weakest.
Thank you, Amy! I really appreciated your words today.
Thank you for this devotion. I struggle with this every day. It seems to have gotten worse with the loss of a job and medical issues. I pray for God's guidance. Thank you for your prayers.
Christy
Your words, and in fact, all of the 'Encouragment for Today" messages are speaking in my personal and in my family's lives. My confidence has eroded and now I wish for a 'different' kind of confidence, a much better kind of confidence - a confidence based on God. Your prayers are appreciated. Thank you again.
Amy~
I can't even express how much this devotion touched me this morning. My mom recently asked me if I'd lost my faith. I was so offended by her question. I told her that my faith was fine and that I go to church every Sunday. After we hung up I thought about what she said and realized I hadn't lost faith in God, but in myself.
So much has happended in the past 1-2 years...teenage issues, financial and moving to a new state. I literally have lost all confidence in things, including myself.
Your devotion has pointed me in the right direction. Thank you.
Blessings,
Missy
Hey Amy, it's Emilie from G'ville! You spoke to me today. I do feel like I give so much of myself to my family-home schooling is a calling from God but it does take a lot out of me! I love it but feel like I have lost confidence in who I am called to be and what does God have for me to do that I am not doing b/c of lack of confidence. I wonder if I am to be a speaker etc. Thanks for this devotion and your prayers. I probably need Renee's new book! I'll be praying about this too for myself.
Never full of confidence to begin with, I have had a shaky year with a failed longtime friendship that has left me shaken and hurt. Thank you for your transparency. Thank you for helping me feel like I'm not alone in my struggles. Thank you for your faithfulness in ministering to other women to help them glorify God in their lives.
Thank you, Amy, for allowing God to speak through you! SO much of what you've written resonates with me in this time and place.
In a new country and culture for the past two months, I have totally allowed my confidence to dwindle to next to nothing. Fear had overtaken and I know this is NOT of God!
Your words have opened my eyes and given me such hope!
"He has brought me out of my own power, which is so limited and flawed, to being dependent on the infilling power of His Spirit. Confidence in myself has very limited power, whereas confidence in Him brings limitless possibilities.
I know that I'll still have days of struggle with confidence, but my rebuilt and renewed sense of confidence is now firmly in Christ. It's a beautiful place to be."
Phil. 4:13 has been my life verse, and your words speak new life into the application of this verse and give me the courage to know this and depend solely on God's strength and the Holy Spirit's empowerment!
Thank you and God bless you mightily!
I too have struggled with self confidence as far back as I can remember. It's affected a lot in my life. At church, I always like to be in the background helping rather than taking charge of anything. With God's help I know I can do better and I thank you Amy for this devotion. I also get so much encouragement each day from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Be blessed,
Janet
gatorgirl66@hotmail.com
WOW!! This morning I was in tears before the Lord asking Him for new direction and to "rebuild" me. I am so thankful to my Savior for using you as a channel to speak to my heart.
Be blessed and may He continue to use you in a might way for His glory.
My God-confidence began to grow when someone really saw ME and asked how I was affected by events in my life. to explain, my husband has an unusual work schedule and all the comments about it were directed to him, "how do you do it", "how is that working out?", "is that hard to do?". no one ever asked me how this work schedule affected me, I began to feel invisible, until one day someone saw ME and the struggle it was for me. And from that day on I have more God-confidence that HE would send someone to see ME, and my needs, my disappointments, my hardships.
God's timing is perfect and this devotion was perfectly timed this morning. I struggle with the issue of confidence in work, marriage, spiritually but I know that isn't God's will for me. This devotion reminded me again that God has a bigger plan and purpose for me. Thank you for allowing God to use you to minister to me!
Thank you for this most wonderful post. As I read this through tear filled eyes I thought how could she know? You have just described the past 3 years of my life. I havent quite reached acceptance that this is where God has chosen to plant us. I know though that God is on the move in an effort to restore my confidence so he can move me into a writing and speaking ministry. God Bless you and the gals at P31! mamckinley3@yahoo.com
Loved your devotion today Amy!! Your transparency and your story are so encouraging!! And Thank you for giving away a copy of A Confident Heart, too!
PLEASE pray for restoration of confidence. Thank you and God bless.
Amy,
Thanks for today's devo.
I'm in a place where I feel like I am on the edge of God doing something, but it will require me to believe and have more faith than I have had before. I am believeing and praying that the mustard seed in me will grow bringing more God-confidence.
Thank you my friend!
Gods timing is perfect. I am a stay at home mom of 4 kids for 15 years who just sent my last "baby" to school. Now I am just a "stay at home mom with no kids at home". I feel like the world on which I spent every single second for the past 15 years to build is now slipping beneath my feet. I am left with a mix of saddness and insufficency. "Now what?" seems to be the theme. I willing gave up my full time career to be a stay at home mom, and was truly blessed by doing so. But, I feel like I hid behind "I'm a busy mom" because it was safe(not that I wasn't busy, but it gave me an excuse to not take care of myself physically, spiritually, and emotionally) and now I realize I have zero confidence in me or my abilities. But todays devotion reminded me that it is good to be reliant on God. He is still in control of my life, and I need to trust Him. Thank you for your prayers of building a confident heart in me.
Gods timing is perfect. I am a stay at home mom of 4 kids for 15 years who just sent my last "baby" to school. Now I am just a "stay at home mom with no kids at home". I feel like the world on which I spent every single second for the past 15 years to build is now slipping beneath my feet. I am left with a mix of saddness and insufficency. "Now what?" seems to be the theme. I willing gave up my full time career to be a stay at home mom, and was truly blessed by doing so. But, I feel like I hid behind "I'm a busy mom" because it was safe(not that I wasn't busy, but it gave me an excuse to not take care of myself physically, spiritually, and emotionally) and now I realize I have zero confidence in me or my abilities. But todays devotion reminded me that it is good to be reliant on God. He is still in control of my life, and I need to trust Him. Thank you for your prayers of building a confident heart in me.
As I read your devotion today, I began to tear up. (couldn't cry b/c I'm at work) That is something I struggle greatly with. I am always worried about failing or disappointing people. I can actually hear my husband saying the same thing to me! I have failed and let people down and now I struggle with doing things for fear of failing again. I am learning to put my trust and confidence in God. It is a minute by minute struggle at times for me but I know in my heart that God will rebuild my confidence. Both your devotion and Emily Freeman's have encouraged me so much today! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much for this devotion....I so needed to read this. I have always struggled with my confidence and it has been hard. Through the years with life's struggles (a divorce, friendships, family situations) it has been hard - God helped me so much a couple years back (I really was struggling and he brought me peace) Things have been ok but I did get on the I can do it myself track - having some marriage problems now and 2 long time friends just betrayed me...emotionally I am wiped out. I have been praying and I know God will always be there for me. This story came at a great time - it really meant alot to me. I think my husband would also say what yours did if I asked. I need my God confidence back and that will get me on the right track. Thank you.
It was so easy for me to relate to your devotion this morning. We recently moved out of state, away from my family, friends, home. Since moving, it has been one huge issue after another. I have been so overwhelmed and feel so defeated and alone. Thank you for praying for me!
Thanks so much for your openness. I have had some situations over the last few years and through them I have learned that my strength, confidence and hope is through Christ alone. He took me to a place where I had to rely on Him and I am thankful.
I too am a first born over achiever and also have a healthy dose of Virgo perfectionism! :) God blessed me with a wonderful family and outstanding opportunities in which I excelled. But through a series of challenges and changes I now find myself feeling not only incapable of future success but unworthy of His love. I have felt that I needed "renewal" and "revitalization" but upon reading your devotional I realize my needs go further. I need to be "Rebuilt". Thank you for sharing your story and please add me to your prayers -
Wow, I did not know I could be sacrificial without sacrificing all. Something has been missing and I really feel that place you speak about has been crushed for too long. I want God's calling to be revived in me.
Talking to people. Getting over the fear-based shyness.
It is funny how God works sometimes. This devotion couldn't have come at a better time for me. Last night my husband and I were having a conversation about the circumstances in our lives right now that have totally torn away our confidence. He just recently became a christian and I have been struggling as to how keep my confidence up while building his. Hard to do when you have none. This was just a reminder that it isn't through me, but through God. Thanks for the reminder and prayers for restoration of His confidence!!
Thanks for this devotion, it really came at a much needed time. I share some of your situations, we just recently moved to a new city, many frienships&realtonships have ended bad, or where I just didn't understand why, and being in a new city, etc. I find myself struggling right now, I know GOD will help me!Thanks so much for your encouraging words!
Blessings to you!
I have always had confidence in the Lord's presence since I met Him over 40 years ago. God worked within me to bring me to total surrender and when that happened I found peace and joy. Unfortunately my self esteem and confidence seemed to dive when it came to relating to others and maturing in my faith. Through a series of events, God has restored me and brought me into His Church to give me renewed faith and confidence only in Him and not from any efforts of mine. I enjoyed so much the devotion you wrote.
I rely on myself to try and make others happy & get things done, but I am slowly learning to let go of my "I can do it myself" attitude & allow God to guide my decisions & actions instead.
Girl, you hit me where I live today. I got tears when you mentioned "self-sacrifice". My hubby and I have talked about this more than once, and he wants me to stop trying to please everyone else. I think when you move so much and try to establish new friendships you lose part of yourself and just try to fit in. It is almost like being in high school again. Prayers for God confidence and even a hint of vision would be appreciated. Love you much.
Thank you for the devotion today. It was what I needed to hear today as I have struggled with confidence for years. I am looking forward to reading the book to learn more!
Amy, every time I read your blog or something you have written I know why I was put in your Speaker Group at She Speaks just last month. So many things you say resonate with my heart. Just this week I was asking "WHY?" Why would God want me to speak when He has so many others doing it so well already? What can I really offer? And, how does this "calling" fit into my everyday life? The quote you mentioned from Renee's book is just what I needed to read and it is what God and I are doing right now. I am realigning my priorities and commitments to be able to have the time to work on the things He has placed in my heart. God-confidence. I don't have to do it in myself, He will do it for me and I just have to obey each step of the way. (And do the hard work as you mentioned before!)
It was such a blessing being at She Speaks in your group!
Love,
Brandee
Thank you so much for your devotion. I have struggled with insecurity and lack of confidence my entire life. This past year has been overwhelming with a loss of a marriage and facing starting over from the bottom. Thankfully God has been waiting for me to turn to Him. I pray everyday for Him to fill me with his peace and confidence for my life, for healing of the deep hurts and his strength to keep stepping forward, knowing that in His love we will see victory. Thank you for your prayers. jk
Thanks for the devotion. Please pray for me that my confidence will be restored. I want my confidence to be build according to God's plan for my life. As Renee calls it, I need God-fidence to be a Jesus girl.
AnnMarie
dixoname@msn.com
My confidence has recently been restored and I am learning to love life and my job again. Thank you for your post, I have purchased the ebook version of Renee's book, but I know just the person I will give the hardcopy to if I win!
Thank you for sharing your story.
I have spent so much time meeting the needs of everyone else that I no longer know what my needs are. I no longer dream. I just do things that I think need to be done.
I believe in the old folks and kids that I care for but I have no confidence in my self. I use to say, "I always win." I don't say that anymore. My daughter want her mama back. Thank you for your prayers.
Just a year ago at this time, I was a First Place 4 Health leader and had lost 40 pounds in the process. I was organizing and ultimately acted as Master of Ceremonies for our woman's ministry kickoff party. Since then I had started a new job and struggled a great deal with the stress it brought. I reverted back to my old eating habits and gained back all the weight I had lost. Then I got fired from my job, which is something the perfectionist in me absolutely couldn't tolerate.
I'm now unemployed and am literally afraid to go out and look for another job because I have no confidence in my abilities. I quit leading First Place 4 Health because I was no longer confident in my abilities as a leader. I know God must have a plan in all this somewhere and maybe reading this devotional this morning is the first step. Please pray for me.....
Thank you, thank you for today's devotion. It reminds me of a similar journey back to confidence restoration that I am going through. After months of counseling and prayer, I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel!
Thanks for today's devotion. Confidence is something I struggle with and appreciate your prayers.
Thank you for today's devotion. I've been struggling more in this area for a few years now, ever since I got some health issues that have forced me to pull back from a few things that I really loved to do. Eph 3:20 has helped me a lot: "Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope." (NLT) I've memorized this Scripture and am praying it often just to get my mind focused on things that matter to God.
Great devotion Amy. My confidence, or lack of, comes and goes and usually is work related. As my faith grows stronger, my "lack of confidence" seems to be slowly disappearing. I refuse to let those negative thoughts take over my mind and they can't if I am focused on our God!!
Thank you for this. For the last few days, I've been realizing that I had lost confidence and had stopped dreaming. Frankly, I don't know how to get it back.
Dear Amy,
Thank you for your encouraging story. I have been struggling with confidence and have been journaling to God about it. There is something I want so badly, and I'm not sure it will ever happen, and my thoughts are consumed with it. I know that I just need to give it to God and trust in His plan for my life, and that's why my confidence needs to come from Him and be in Him.
Blessings,
Crystal
storms.crystal@gmail.com
Amy, your story really hit home for me. I am a mother of 2 under 3 and my confidence and knowledge seems to have gone by the wayside learning and devoting all of my time to my kids and husband and figuring out how to be the best wife and mother God can have me be. I have recently been challenging myself to get my house in order, work out again and love myself where I am. I have to thank God and the Flylady for helping me get here, its a long journey yet, but each day I am becoming more and more filled with hope and desire to make the changes I need to make.
God bless you!
Emily
God confidence is truly what I need to lean and depend upon. Thank you for your prayers and your transparency. Monica mheard11@frontier.com
Thank you for your wonderful devotion. I am feeling called in the speaking/writing direction but feeling a little unsure about how it will all pan out. Can you please pray for direction and confidence to follow? Thank you and blessings.
Thank you for your devotion! I could use prayer in getting back my God confidence! This devotion really spoke to my heart as I have been struggling with feeling like a failure in many areas of my life. It made me realize just how much I was relying on myself. Thank you for the reminder to walk in His strength! God bless!
This hit me between the eyes this morning. Thank you for this eye-opener! I'd love your prayers for the return of my confidence. I feel like I've lost myself the last few years. Thanks, Amy!
I had a professional career some years ago. I chose stay at home Mom in place of that and love it. But my confidence that I could ever go back one day has dwindled so much. I know God gave me that career for a reason. I want to regain that confidence that I can do it, through Him.
Thank you so much for today's devotion. I have always struggled with self-confidence or lack of it. I appreciate your prayers. I to like the idea of God-confidence.
I am just reading this devotion on Friday morning. I have been in a very dark place lately and I have been so confused. I lost my joy. I am just down every day and it seems to be a struggle to do my daily duties. I used to work and take care of my family with such joy and now I am just frustrated all the time. I am mad at myself because I don't spend time reading my bible and praying then when I do I feel like I am unworthy or I am not prying the right words. I have somehow given int the the lies of the enemy and I don't know what to do. I don't have anyone to talk to. With all that said when I read your devotion something leaped in me. My confidence. I doubt everything that I do. And then I wondered how I was able to do it beofre what is different now? Then as I continued the devotion I got the answer. Before I was doing in my strength and my self-confidence. But I need to move into GOD's confidence and his power with in me. Thank you and God Bless. Dorothy Travis
dscott28@bellsouth.net.
Your devotion was wonderful, Amy! Thank you for sharing with us. I am there right now! Confidence needs a makeover in my life. You are a blessing!
cheri
Wow! I had to visit your blog after I read your devo because you sound SO much like me. I've seen my confidence slip away over the years through moving to a place where I didn't immediately make great friends through church, not really reaching out to people and giving my heart in friendship, etc, etc. Thank God He's been faithful and my best friend through this but I know He wants so much more for me and will be able to use me so much more when I'm able to truly get my security from Him. I'm coming out on the other side but just beginning so I'll be really interested to read more on what made a difference for you! Thanks a million, sister!
Elise in Tx
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