A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

Ever feel like you're not good enough?  Have you spent your life trying to measure up?  In A Confident Heart - How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises,  Renee Swope addresses the problem.

Weaving the story of her own life through the pages, Renee attempts to bring hope to others lost in the maze of self doubt.  I've been there and I must admit I still visit that place often, so I was looking forward to reading this new book.

I found myself disappointed, the words felt thin and the scriptures, though rich felt offered more as platitude than meaty truth.  Perhaps it is because of my own journey to live through  Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

that I find myself struggling here.  I have been choosing to lose myself to be found in Him and so this book  feels far too "self" focused.

I am sure there is much to encourage and inspire readers, but at this stage of my personal journey I was left wanting more.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Holding tight

On Tuesday morning the Lord told me as I shared here:

You are carrying what I have conceived and it is time to bring it forth.

Since He spoke that into my spirit, I have been walking on the high cliffs of tears but unable to let go.  I feel tense, constrained, not fearful, just edgy.

I know with my head that I shouldn't be afraid to jump, for He Is the net that will catch and protect me.  My wings are fluttering yet held to close to my breast.  Half of me yearns to fly, swooping and diving, but the rest of me is holding tight, my feet planted on what only appears to be solid ground.

My Lord is gentle, almost overly kind with me as He continues to lead me to the precipice:

I Am teaching you trust and with your nature so prone to self-reliance and independance I am creating a need to depend on Me and Me alone.

You want things figured out before you move forward, yet I tell you again that first blind step is essential.  That is the faith step and it leads you right into the centre of My heart and the middle of My will.

Give up.  Let go.  That is the surrender I seek, for how can My Spirit move that which is firmly grounded.

And then yesterday He added:

Your life is for My glory, not your own. My power is seen when bridges are crossed, obstacles are conquered, on the mountains and in the valleys.

Will you dare to scale the North Face of challenges before you?

I Am mighty enough to take you where I want you to go.

Help me then, Lord my God, to breathe in deeply the courage You provide; to stretch and expand wings that You have designed for this very moment in time; to forsake the holding tight for a free fall of release.

Confidence in Who?

I pray that any trust, faith and confidence I have in my flesh would melt like snow in the rains of Spring.  For far too long I have looked to myself for courage, for comfort and for direction.

"No more" I cry.  "No more!"

Let my hope be in nothing less than Christ Himself and His redeeming blood.

How often we talk about people having low self-esteem, yet I do not wish to esteem my self, but instead exalt Who my Lord Is in me.  So I seek to walk in Him at all times.

He has ordered me to walk boldly.

Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 Amplified

When I see giants and begin to tremble, leaning in to fear, let me remember not who I am but Who He Is.

Yes, He Is the Lamb, meek, Who spoke not a word as He was led to slaughter.  Yet He is also the Lion of Judah, mighty in battle, forever victorious.

Are you facing mountains that send shivers racing down your spine?  Forget about how small you are and take some time to meditate on just how big Is our God.  Let the truth of Who He Is renew courage in your feet, boldness in your spirit and joy in your heart.

Come on over to Bonnie's and join us as we Jam on confidence and boldness.