When Doubt Tries to Bully Us
Guest Post from Renee Swope
One morning I woke up feeling beat up by discouragement. My mind was being bullied by thoughts of doubt. I can’t do it all! I am not cut out to be a wife, mom, or a women in ministry.
As I lay in bed feeling completely inadequate, my radio alarm came on. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Twila Paris singing to me. She told me this was no time for fear, but a time for faith and determination. She challenged me not to carried away by my emotions, but to hold on to all I had hidden in my heart, and all I believed to be true. Then she reminded me of the most important truth of all: God is in control.*
When I heard her words, my thoughts were aligned with God’s truth.I went from feeling afraid to feeling determined. From feeling out of control to knowing God is in control.
We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God’s truth build us up. If we have Christ in us, we have full access to God’s power and promises to live with a confident heart. But it won’t just happen because it’s possible.
We have to take action. Just as I had to tune my radio to encouraging music, we need to get intentional about tuning our thoughts to God’s thoughts toward us, every day.
In the same way a radio has AM and FM frequencies, so do our thoughts. They are either FM (for me) thoughts or AM (against me) thoughts. And when our thoughts are against us, our feelings will be too.
Next time thoughts of doubt come against you, stop and ask God for His perspective. Do your thoughts match His thoughts toward you?
Here are some AM and FM thoughts to help you get started:
- When doubt comes against me, saying I’m weak and all alone, I will focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me (Deut. 31:6).
- When doubt comes against me, saying I’m not good enough for a certain role or position, I will remember that God is for me! He says I am His masterpiece, created to be new in Christ so that I could do good things He planned long ago (Eph. 2:10).
Doubt Diet Tip: When we go on a regular diet, it’s helpful to start a food journal to keep track of what we’re eating. That way we can notice unhealthy habits and find healthy alternatives. For three days, keep a “thought” journal to track what you’re thinking so you can identify unhealthy “against me” thoughts and replace them with healthy God is “for me” thoughts.
Grab a copy of Renee’s best-selling book, A Confident Heart, for ONLY $6.99 – at Lifeway.com and local Lifeway stores this week!
Click here to sign up for Renee’s FREE 7-day Doubt Diet Devotions
Enter to win a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope – just in time for her online book/Bible study starting April 1st . To enter just enter a comment below regarding the doubts that make you less than confident to be the woman God intended you to be. Three people will win!
Renee Swope is the mom of a toddler and two teens, and wife of one very patient man. She’s also a speaker and co-host of Proverbs 31 Ministries radio show. Renee’s passion is to help women rely on and live in the power of God’s promises in our everyday lives. Receive encouragement and connect with Renee on her blog at www.ReneeSwope.com.
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*“God Is In Control,” © 1993 by Twila Paris. All Rights Reserved. From He Is Exalted: Live Worship CD.
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I listened to a call from God to quit my “over” full-time job and work on my direct sales business from home. Though it has only been a month, I find my mind not agreeing with my heart. I often think doubts over my heart, which I know are not true. The truth is God is always with me and He is helping me manage my business for His glory. He will not leave me especially because this is where he put me.
You are one of the winners! please email bronwyn@kathilipp.com for more info.
I struggle with forgiving my mother who hurt me so badly when my dad died, telling me if only I would have come sooner to see him, he would have died sooner. That would have made her life easier. I don’t even consider her my mother any more but know that I want to have peace about our relationship before she passes away.
I struggle with an auto immune disease that leaves me in pain 24/7. However that is not my biggest doubt…after 3 years of trying different chemos and pain meds…I gave up. I “loved” my pain more than my family and over dosed on prescription sleeping pills. My hubby, best friend and pastor have all been very gracious and supportive…but I can’t forgive myself. I used to be confident in my faith…now I doubt. I thought I was a strong Christian…takes a strom to see what you really are.
sometimes I doubt I will win my battle with food
I would like to have more confident. i would like your book thank you
Lori Martin lrmcleo4@hotmail.com
I feel less than confident to serve as my thoughts get all jumbled up just as I begin to speak. My shyness also often keeps me from being bold in ways God asks of me. When He calls me to do or say something I practically run for the closet. Much safer there. Ok, may be not the closet, but I do fear that I have some sort of “Moses” syndrome ; )
I doubt that God can change my sinful nature of having a quick, sharp tongue toward my husband.
Kathi! My list could be so long; however, my greatest doubt is that God could really be pleased with me, as I mess up so much!
I often doubt my ability to just trust God when things get awful. But I am slowly learning to just turn to Him for everything!
Congrats you are one of the winner, email bronwyn@kathilipp.com for more info!
13 years ago I resigned from my masters level professional career to become a stay-at-home mom and now I’m an empty nester with both my kids in college and need to figure out what I what to do with the rest of my life. I am doubting my ability to go back to the profession I used to work in, as well as the challenges of transferring into another field at 56 years old.
I doubt a lot of things. I’m about to quit my job and be a stay-at-home mom and homeschool. I’m doubting my ability to do it.
WOW! God is in control. Those were my thoughts this morning. It is so cool how God speaks. Thank you.
congrats you are one of the winners, email bronwyn@kathilipp.com for more info