Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
How do the mornings slip by so quick? Clara wasn't late to school but she wasn't exactly early either. Getting your kids to school early is the mark of a well-organized, thoughtful mother, right? My heart began to taunt me.
If you were a good mom you'd never have trouble getting to school on time.
Clara's teacher has you figured now. You can't fool her into thinking you're a good mom.
You should get an "F" on your daily mom report card.
God's truth pierced my thoughts.
Shannon, your heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure (Jeremiah 17:9)
Shannon, I the LORD search your heart and examine your mind (Jeremiah 17:10)
Shannon, I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)
Jesus, thank you for helping me recognize the downward spiral of my thoughts this morning. You broke through and turned the spiral upside down and back up to You. In You, I find refuge. In You, I draw strength. In You, I grow a confident heart.
I am reading A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. In her book, Renee shares the key to casting off insecurity. My thoughts determine my actions. I must replace my doubts with God's truth.
I am only in the second chapter of this book, but already it is having a profound impact on my thought life. I was immediately able to recognize these thoughts, reject them and replace them with God's truth. Those of you who read my blog daily know I have never recommended a book other than God's Word. Self-doubt is common to the human condition. We are all subject to its' deceptive grasp. Let's read Renee's book together and confidently stride into God's best for our lives.
Do you struggle with doubts or insecurities? What are some of your favorite ways you counteract those negative thoughts?
doubts and insecurities? are you kidding? sometimes i think my life is built on that shaky ground! scripture, like you have quoted, is so helpful. and my husband, dear man, builds me up daily.
ReplyDeleteKendal, how beautiful - a husband who sees beyond doubts or insecurities to the woman of God beneath them. I LOVE that!
ReplyDeleteLast week I was seriously doubting myself as a mom. So I wrote a post of all the things I had done well. I almost deleted it the next day after I saw a conversation my 20 year old sons had on FB but left it there. That was Satan trying to tear me down again and taking responsibility for their actions.
ReplyDeleteShanda, love that! Inserting God's truth and writing it down. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon - I really needed to read this, this morning. I too am constantly talking myself downward and recognising too late the path of my thoughts. Great encouragement to pause - counteract with God's truth and like you say - turn the spiral upside down and up to God again. Really great post Shannon
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Tracy, we are together in our struggle. Sweet blessings to you today.
ReplyDeleteShannon it totally is a battle of my thoughts also. I know whe my "insecurity " button has been pushed.. i generally have seen God do a God sized miracle in my selfconfidence... but there are times when that insecurity button is pushed again and again and i do have to just respond with scripture and the power of God's thoughts. I love your blog shannon
ReplyDeleteOh Jenn, love that you are looking for a God-sized miracle in your everyday life. That is so powerful!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my new favorite blogs. I'm ashamed to admit that not only do I struggle with doubting myself, but also others. I doubt others abilities to accomplish what I feel they should accomplish. That is so wrong! I'm working on combatting both of these types of doubt through God's Word and prayer.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I so know what you mean. For me it is an issue of control. I want to control those in my life. Instead I can choose the freedom of releasing them to God's care.
ReplyDeleteI have Renee's book that I got at She Speaks. Perhaps now is a good time to delve into it. I might just need it more than I thought I did.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I really needed it. My kids have been in school four days and I have gotten them to school minutes after the final morning bell rang TWO times already. I had similar thoughts. I assumed that the teachers were thinking negative thoughts about me -- after all, they've been tardy 50 percent of the time thus far! But after thinking more on the track of my thought process, I realized how arrogant I was to think that these people had the time or the care to ponder my inability to get my kids to school on time on a consistent basis. Further, if they did take and find the time to do so, I shouldn't care about their negative thoughts - I should pray for them. I got them there on time this morning (barely). I am grateful for our Lord and how He chastises me at times like these. I'm also comforted that I'm not the only one who struggles in this way at times.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Samantha
Hi Shannon:
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book that a certainly need to read. I often struggle with self-doubt. The enemy will use whatever means at his disposal to keep us discouraged and feeling we are not useful.
Thanks for the visit to my blog and for the follow.
Blessings,
Joan
Oh Jen. Yes - let's read it together!
ReplyDeleteSamantha, what a great perspective. You're so right - why would I think people are petty enough to sit around and think about me. Great perspective!
ReplyDeleteJoan, I would love to read it together and compare notes on the journey!
ReplyDeletehi shannon! so happy to have found your blog on the hop!
ReplyDeletei love the messages you send in each of your posts. i've just read through a few of them and will be back for sure.
i just read another one of my friend's posts today...about not being angry at God for trying times in our lives. we all have our days, our weeks, our years...that don't seem to want to give us a break. my husband and i are dealing with quite the challenge in our quest for a child in these past few years. we have experienced loss upon loss and news that shook our souls. but through it all, i wouldn't be able to get through without my faith and hope. God grants me strength each day to keep on keepin' on and bc of that, i know our time will come when it is right.
thank you for your uplifting words and spirit!
wishing you a beautiful weekend!
<3
maria
Maria, so honored by your visit and thankful you've found this oasis of refreshment. Excited to walk with you on this journey!
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