Do you struggle with doubt and insecurities? (& a book giveaway!)

ACH Devo standing upDo you have ever have trouble being confident in who you are and struggling with doubts, fears and insecurities? Do you ever feel like you just aren’t good enough and you can never seem to measure up – in other peoples eyes, or your own? Me too.

In fact, we all struggle with those emotions at times, and my friend Renee wrote a wonderful book about this topic called A Confident Heart a few years ago. Now she has recently released A Confident Heart devotional book, with 60 days of encouragement to stop doubting yourself. Thank goodness for us! 🙂

Below is an excerpt from Renee’s book and I pray it encourages you today.

Enter to win a copy of Renee’s new Confident Heart Devotional book on my blog this week by sharing in the comments: Why would like to receive the book and what friend you’d give it to, if you won 2 copies.  Winner to be announced here on my blog on Friday so be sure to check back if you enter!

Also be sure to read the information at the end about a fun contest Renee is doing worth $50!

Compelled by Love

“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.” Ephesians 1:4 (MSG)

I’d been trying to connect wtih my son’s teacher to give her a thank you gift and a wedding gift before the school year ended. She had invested her prayers and her love in my son, which created a love for her in my heart.

So, I was determined to personally deliver the gifts before she got married and moved away. I went by her classroom twice, but missed her both times. We then played email tag all summer while two beautiful boxes sat in my van.

Every time I saw them, a deep desire washed over me. I desperately wanted to get the gifts to Ms. Currin and personally tell her how much she meant to me, and thank her for all she had done to impact my child’s life that year.

Finally, we connected on the phone the day before her move. She gave me directions and said to call when we got there. However, when we arrived at her apartment building, I realized I’d forgotten her phone number. And I didn’t have her apartment number either. There we sat in front of a three-story building with 24 apartments to choose from.

So, what’s a desperately determined woman to do? Get her husband, two sons and their friend to go door-to-door in search of the teacher, while she drives around the parking lot in case she comes out a different building.

My husband thought I’d lost my mind. But he knew I was hormonal and didn’t want to risk questioning my “brilliant: plan. When the guys couldn’t find her I got out and started knocking. Still no Ms Currin.

Next, I suggested we search the parking lot for cars filled with contents resembling the belongings of a 4th grade teacher who is getting married {oh yes I did}. After five minutes, I admitted my plan wasn’t working.

The next day I told my co-workers about my desperate search. Some laughed, a few confessed to their own acts of desperation, but one reminded me that Jesus was just as determined to find us! Compelled by love alone, He wanted to personally deliver the gift of His life and His love to us!

Perhaps you’ve been wondering if you matter much to God. You do! So much that He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth to come to you. Ephesians 1:4 reminds us that “Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had [you] in mind, had settled on [you] as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.” Ephesians 1:4 (MSG)

Jesus could have somehow sent His gift through some other means, but He was determined to come to uspersonally to give the gift of His love, the gift of His life.

A gift to remind you each and every day how much you mean to Him.

God, thank You for being so determined to pursue me. As I think about Your love compeling You to come to me personally to give me the gift of life and the gift of Your love takes my breath away. I cherish your amazing grace that never gives up on me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

When I say… No one sees me.

God says… I see you. You are the focus of my love.

“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in [me], had settled on [me] as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.” Ephesians 1:4 (MSG)Enter to WIN a copy TODAY!

ENTER the Let God Love You Contest:
Find out how you can WIN 2 additional signed copies, a $50 gift card and an 8×10 print at www.ReneeSwope.com

43 Comments

  1. Courtney J on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 9:19 am

    Hi Tracie! I would love to win this book to help me with my self esteem and insecurties. It all started when my mother passed away 20 years ago. I moved in with my grandparents; and their daughter told me that no one wanted me and my grandparents were forced to take me in. She also told me that I would never be anything. Of all the memories of my childhood, that is what sticks in my mind. I was only 11 years old, and now I’m 31. At times, I’m still stuck as that little girl. I honestly hate trying new things because I’m afraid I’m going to fail.

    I would give the second book to my dear sweet best friend, Patrice. She feels she is worthless and unloved. Her father is verbally abusive. She always longed for the perfect daddy/ daughter relationship. This is causing her to make some poor decisons with her dating life. She also revealed to me a few weeks ago that she was molested when she was being watched by a relative. She’s holding that anger inside.



  2. Stephanie on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 9:23 am

    I would to have the confidence to be just the way God made me and be less worried about the dreadful cycle of “people pleasing”.

    I’d give a copy to my mom who is one of my biggest inspirations, yet also struggles with being confident in the beautiful person God made her to be!



  3. Lisa Lamb on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 9:32 am

    I think I have struggled my whole life with not being “good enough” in the eyes of people. Thank goodness my parents raised me and my sisters in the church, so I at least had God to turn to. It was hard enough not to look the way you think you should-forgetting that we are wonderfully made by our Creator. Now that I am married and raising our 5 children, I struggle with being a good enough wife and mother-in the eyes of others. The biggest thing to remember is that it is what God sees and thinks that really matters; but, is tough in this world that judges so easily. If I were to win, I would give a copy to my mom because she sometimes struggles with her confidence and instead focusing on who God see her to be.



  4. elizabeth timpe on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 9:35 am

    Why would like to receive the book and what friend you’d give it to, if you won 2 copies? I have struggled with not doing anything right. I take anything critical to heart and have those negative voices in my head tell me I am not good enough. If is got two copies, I would give it to my BFF who also struggles with anxiety and emotional turmoil. Thank you for the opportunity.



  5. Alicia F on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 9:43 am

    This is an incredible book. The Devotional Book would help focus my prayers / days. If I got two copies, I have a dear friend that also needs the same message as I do of unconditional love and I don’t have to be perfect.
    Thank you!



  6. Mandy Pyle on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 10:09 am

    I don’t know if I can express clearly enough the reasons why I need this book. I lost my confidence in myself and other people several years ago, and have never been able to get it back. My husband and I went through a very tough time in our marriage. I lost my career as a nurse because of mistakes that I had made. He turned to other women to talk to about it, as I was “emotionally unavailable.” God is in the process of healing our marriage, but somethimes I am overcome with feelings of doubt and low self-esteem. It literally consumes me. I feel like I am trapped in this cycle, even though I can sense that God is trying to pull me out. This cycle is a habit and even though it is destructive, it feels like the only thing I can depend on in an unhealthy yet comforting way. I have a friend who struggles with low self-esteem due to verbal and sexual abuse as a child. She loves the Lord and has a very supportive husband. However, she tells me things sometimes that make me realize she would benefit from this book, just like me,



  7. Rubi on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 10:10 am

    I’m very hard on myself and I’m always struggling with thoughts of not being good enough to be loved. My doubts and insecurities scream at me louder than the voices all around me whispering that I am loved….
    I’d give the extra copy to my very best friend. She struggles with anxiety and self image although she is absolutely beautiful.



  8. Lynn W. on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 10:43 am

    I would love the devotional to be able to delve further into the book. I would share with a good friend who is struggling with health issues.

    P.S. Did you find the teacher?



  9. Karen on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 11:30 am

    I have struggled with confidence and dealing with insecurities and it seems I take one step forward and two steps back. I’d give the extra copy to my daughter so she can realize she doesn’t have to fight the same war as her mother.



  10. Linda K on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 11:50 am

    This book is totally speaking to me. I feel I do not have a lot of relationships with others because of my insecurities, my fears of not being as smart as everyone else or not having the right words to say to others. I would give the second book to my daughter.



  11. Brandi B. on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 11:55 am

    I would love to win this book for myself and I would love to give a copy to my college aged daughter. She is in her 2nd year of college and doing great but I see her struggle with insecurities at times. I want her to feel secure about herself knowing that God made her perfect the way she is. I know that reading this book will help bring her relationship with God even closer than it already is. 🙂



  12. cathy on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    I have always dealt with insecurities and reading christ-centered books on confidence is one of the many steps I am now taking to overcome them. I would love to read A confident Heart, and if I win 2 copies, I’ll give one to my sister so she can walk with me on this journey. Thanks!



  13. Anne B on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    I would love to use this devotional. I’m currently learning how codependent I have been, as well as having poor boundaries. Reading Renee’s devotional would be very helpful to me — esp in using so much scripture. If I had 2 copies I’d give the other to my friend Michelle as she has struggled in her confidence as a mom, wife, and friend.



  14. Hope on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    Insecurities hit when you least expect them. Always good to have tools of encouragement. I would give one to my friend at work. We meet regularly for bible study and she has no confidence in herself or in her relationship with The Lord.



  15. carol on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    This description speaks to me. I have very little confidence in myself these days and I do struggle with doubts and insecurities. I am desperate for some wisdom and guidance to how I can overcome this stumbling block. This devotional sounds perfect! If I won two copies, I would give 1 to a friend who is struggling in a similar way as I am. Together, we can work to overcome it and help eachother be accountable.



  16. Mary T on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    Tracie, my very first OBS was Renee’s A Confident Heart study last spring just before your SLL OBS. I would love to read her devotional daily to strengthen me as I pray through my doubts and insecurities. I would give the second copy to my daughter as she is just beginning her journey with God, through a relationship with Jesus! This would also strengthen her as she learns to walk with Jesus and with a confident heart.



  17. Magdee on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 12:52 am

    I have always known that I am different however i have struggled with being confident with being different. Sometimes I keep doubting myself, so the devotional would help me reaffirm what God says about me, I would give the second copy to a a friend of mine Retha, who is going through difficult time right now. She is a new mommy and her and husband have been struggling to find jobs.



  18. Leslie M. on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 9:31 am

    I would love to win it for ME as I start out on my dream of going back to school at 50 for a degree in Counseling. I would give it to my friend Evonne who is struggling with debt as well as doubt over what God is doing in her family’s life. SHE needs this more than I do.



  19. Sarah Gomez on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:00 am

    I have been wanting this book for awhile now. I was always a confidant person, but in the last couple years, my husband had an affair and I found out about a lot of other heart-wrenching things he’s done. My first impulse was to leave him. How could I live with someone like that? But God came so close to me.. And He’s assured me over and over that He is in control and that His will is for me to stay with my husband. I still love him, but it hurts so much. And I am trying so hard to get closet to God and show my husband God’s love becaue that’s what he needs. Hurt people hurt people. So I need to help him find his calling from God also.. But I just can’t seem to ignore Satan’s lies that I’m just not good enough. It’s really tough.

    And if I could give one to a friend, I have a friend who went through some terrible things when she as little and she was abandoned by her whole family when she was 8 except for her newly disabled mom.. She was left alone with her mom to take care of her. She is not a believer and she carries so much hurt from her past. I want so badly for her to be free.



  20. Danette Kaufman on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:47 am

    I have two beautiful daughters that we adopted when they were babies, and they see me as a low self esteem mom who is so hard on myself, I cannot see clearly how God see’s me. I want this burden gone so that my girls can grow up with the confidence they need. I want then to know how God loves them and how proud he is of them, I do not want to continue this pattern. I think the book would help me with that journey. I really want to work on this, and get the confidence I need to live happy and feel free. with lots going on with me and my family I just think this would a good tool to help me when my other challenges try to take me down. thank you for being a women of God to reach out to us that need a boost to get us on the right path with our father in heaven 🙂 God bless!



  21. Halona Luna on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    I would love to win. I really need all the encouragement right now. I am facing some really bad health issues for life.



  22. SUSAN on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS I LOVE YOUR EMAILS THEY R SOOOOO ENCOURAGING, LOVING, UPLIFTING ECT… SOMEX’S I EVEN 4WARD THEM OUT I PRAY AND HOPE U DONT MIND THEY R AWESOME AND SOME X I EVEN SHARE THEM ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE PRAISE GOD! WE ALL NEED ENCOURAGEMENT AND PRAYERS I WILL SAY I NEED THEM 24/7 MORE OF HIM LESS OF ME I BELIEVE ITS A DAILY PRAISE SURRENDER, BELIEF, HOPE, FAITH FILLING REMINDER SOME1 TOLD ME THAT THEY READ THAT WITH EVERY BREATH WE BREATH ITS GOD WHISPERING I LOVE U WOW I CANT REMEMBER WHO WROTE THAT SORRY.
    THE SECOND COPY I WOULD GIVE TO 1 OF MY LOVE 1 BUT I WOULD HAVE 2 PRAY 4 GOD 2 SHOW ME WHO NEEDS IT THE MOST . PLEASE KEEP PRAYING 4 ME AND MY FAMILY & I’LL DO THE SAME TY 4 BLESSING MY LIFE FAMILY AND MY HEART WITH ALL MY YOUR SISTER & FRIEND SUSAN IN CHRIST HALLELUJAH



  23. SUSAN on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    I TRIED TO SHARE THIS ON MY FACEBOOK AND IT SAYS PAGE NOT FOUND ????



  24. Holly on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    I would use it to continue the journey of recovery from abusive marriage and would give the other to my little sister who had a very rough childhood until Daddy took her in and has made a series of bad choices in relationships.



  25. Carolyn on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    This could not have come at a better time. I have been looking for full-time employment and recently went on an interview. Today I received the news that I was not selected, rejected. To top it off my husband and I are separated. Yet another form of rejection.

    All this rejection has brought about all kinds of doubts in my mind, what is wrong with me. Should I give up? I need to restore the confidence I once had and have prayed about it. Then I checked my email and saw the information about this book.

    If I win I would give a copy to my mother and use this as a way to bring us closer.



  26. Jeanne on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    I would love to win this devotional because I loved the book A Confident Heart! I would give the other book to Kirsten, who is a young woman getting ready to go off to college. I know this daily devotional would bless her socks off!



  27. Jessica on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 8:57 pm

    I would love to have this book. I have been praying about a new study/devotion. I was just talking to my husband tonight about how I don’t ever want my daughter to feel as insecure as I have my whole life. I grew up in a home with all sorts of brokenness/abuse, addicts, and a desire to just be loved. Even after getting saved, I still struggle with being confident in Christ because I can still hear the voices telling me I’m a failure etc. My daughter is 3 months old and ny brother died tragically 2 days before she was born! I believe God will help me get through this but it has been tough. If I won I would give the book to my friend L. She is a leader in women’s ministry at our church but also still struggles with insecurity and knowing her worth in Christ. Even if I don’t win I hope to be able to purchase this book! God bless you and all the women. God does promise we are fearfully and wonderfully made.



  28. Suzi on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    Oops. Looks like i missed the free e book. Hope to win this as I have been wanting it.



  29. Jan on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 1:21 am

    I posted on another page sharing about my life in ministry with my husband. Over nearly 30 years in the ministry, we suffered a series of life events that took a toll on our marriage: the death of his mother in a car accident, my father’s development of Alzheimer’s, our son’s struggle with drug use, our daughter’s struggle with an eating disorder, my sister’s breast cancer diagnosis and we each struggled with insomnia and depression. A year of menopausal hot flashes causing anxiety attacks and insomnia which led me to have to take a leave of absence from my job. I had lost my confidence in my ability to be a wife, mother, sister and teacher. I was thankful to receive encouragement from the Proverbs 31 devotionals that came to my email during this time. I also went through months of spiritual counseling and at a Beautiful Life Women’s Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina God spoke his words to me through a performer quoting from Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” He renewed my mind and gave me my confidence back. I would love to have a copy of A Confident Heart to see what more is said about confidence in Christ. I would also love a copy of my daughter that she may find confidence in Christ in order to overcome her eating disorder. May God bless you and this ministry!!! I thank God for you!!!



  30. Kelly Smith on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 3:17 pm

    I can’t believe she went and did a giveaway of her book in the middle of all these contests. That is so generous. I keep promoting on Pinterest Facebook and Twitter. I will keep promoting even after her contest is over. But I am entering the contest because I would like to give the book a way to my aunt Marcia didn’t get one and I would also like to win the $50 visa card!

    blessings,
    Kelly



  31. Jackie Smith on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    I would love to have this fantastic book…..love Renee’s writings. I would give the second copy to a dear friend of 40 years, who has blessed me so much. She is a former pastor’s wife.



  32. Cathy McCoy on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    Hi! I linked over from Renee Swopes page/email. Thanks for sharing. I’m reading A Confident Heart and would love copies of the devotional. I have more than one person I can think of to give a copy to so I can’t narrow it down. I’ve finally realized just over the last couple of years just how much God really loves me and I don’t have to be “perfect” as I grew up thinking I had to be. What freedom!



  33. Susan Gruener on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    Hi Tracie!
    I love your encouraging words on Proverbs 31! I hopped on over here from Renee’s site. 🙂 I loved her book! It was so encouraging for me and for our women’s small group bible study. If I won 2 books I would give them both away, one to Allison and one to Paula.
    Thanks and many blessings to you!
    Susan



  34. Susan Smith-Allen on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    Hi Tracie, I am hopping over to you from Renee Swope’s Blog to thank you, along with Renee, for sharing an excerpt on her Devotional book. I got the e-book FREE on Valentine’s Day and I love it. I hope a lot of people read it. It’s very encouraging and helpful. Now I am trying out for the contest to win an autographed copy of “A Confident Heart” book. Thank you again for sharing. Renee really appreciates it, too.



  35. Elaine on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    I have read Renee’s book 2x and have heard her speak. I love her honesty. I would give one of the books to the church library.



  36. Sharon on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 9:23 pm

    Why would like to receive the book and what friend you’d give it to, if you won 2 copies.
    My two Amys are the reason I’d like to receive this book and the 2 I’d give them to –
    Daughter and Daughter in law..

    Many thanks for hosting the giveaway and Renee’s generosity in offering !



  37. Mippy/Sabrina on Monday, February 17, 2014 at 4:06 am

    Hi! Renee Swope sent me to your blog 🙂 Thank you for a wonderful post. I hope you have a wonderful day! 😀



  38. Charity on Monday, February 17, 2014 at 5:59 am

    Sent here from Renee Swope’s blog…

    I’d love to win the devotional because I have struggled with doubts and insecurities for as long as I can remember. I’d give a copy to my pastors wife. She would be greatly blessed by it.



  39. Annie B on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 11:22 am

    I didn’t know where to look for the winners? I’m new to this site so I didn’t know if I missed where it would be posted! Thanks!



  40. Servidores Dedicados on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 12:15 am

    Heya i am just the first time below. I stumbled onto this particular panel and that i believe that it is definitely valuable & them reduced the problem out there significantly. Hopefully to make available one thing again in addition to assist others such as you helped me to.



  41. janice on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 12:39 am

    Looking at the date of this and it is near the end of March , I guess that means Im way late 🙂



Headshot Flipped 2

Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

Living-Unbroken-3DwithShadow

Available Now!

Subscribe to Tracie’s Blog

Receive the Living Unbroken Battle Plan Workbook for free if you subscribe to Tracie’s blog today!
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Tracie's Books