Inhale peace and confidence…exhale fear and doubt.
Samantha, my friend here in the office at Proverbs often asks me why I sigh so loudly. So does my husband, Jeff. Both of them usually ask, “What’s wrong?” Funny, I rarely realize that I do it. It’s not a sigh of dread or gloom, it’s more an exhale of the poison inside. The fear. The doubt. The need to be loved. The insecurity. A release and surrender.
All day I’m inhaling poison. A way too busy day. A criticism. A hurt child. A broken down car that I can’t afford to fix. A mess up that’s my fault. Marriage conflicts. Someone I love who is fighting for their life….yea, that one was a doozy. When I inhale deep and exhale hard, it is cleansing for me. And as I do it, I think, inhale Jesus, exhale junk.
The past 2 weeks, I was probably about the scaredest (is that a word…probably not) I’ve been since my mom died. Danielle, who I love like a daughter, spent 10 days in the hospital, literally fighting for her life. She has a heart condition and this isn’t the first time she’s had a hospital stay due to that. But it was the first I’ve been a part of. Watching someone you love so much go on and off the vent and hearing the words “Code Blue” don’t exactly fill you with peace and comfort.
Danielle and I met 7 months ago. We were introduced by Lysa TerKeurst. It wasn’t long at all before we were very good friends. I talked to her everyday, prayed for her, tried to fill her with the encouragement and love that a broken person is in need of. Of course I couldn’t do it all, and Jesus stepped in. It was the highlight of my year when she accepted Christ on June 10th. I knew then that no matter what happened to her, she would indeed be ok. The following day, I received a note from her, one that blessed me and I will treasure for the rest of my life. Much of it is personal, but here’s the big picture.
She thanked me for being there NMW (no matter what) and for being Ohana to her. (Ohana is from the movie Lilo and Stitch. It means “family” and family means no one is forgotten or left behind.) She said I believed in her and that gave her the courage to fight. And then she said something I will never forget. “You may never change the whole entire world (you might), but I want you to know that you changed MY whole entire world!”
Seriously y’all, I didn’t do that much. I just loved her like I knew Jesus wanted me to. It wasn’t even hard. And that’s what I want to stress to you here. We’ve been studying how to have a confident heart. And that through the power of God’s Word, our doubts can be dismissed. We take that in for ourselves. Think about how Renee Swope has changed your life. She is one person who wrote a book that you read. You have the same ability and opportunity to do that for someone else. Look for those opportunities.
Never did I expect to have the amazing pleasure of playing a part in changing someone’s world, yet God gave Danielle and I a divine appointment. That was then. And today, I can honestly say to her, “Danielle, You may never change the whole entire world (you might), but I want you to know that you changed MY whole entire world!” I feel like I was way more blessed by her than she could be by me.
As we go through our last week of A Confident Heart, I want you to focus on how the Lord is working in your life to instill confidence and peace. As a challenge, I also want you to look for ways to give what you’ve taken in to someone else. It doesn’t take much, yet it can make a big difference. For some of you it may be by giving to someone that you see regularly. For others it may be an encouraging word on Facebook or in the comment section of this blog. It feels good to focus on someone besides ourselves occasionally 
I feel like through the course of this study, you have learned how to read and study on your own. This is your chance to share with me and the rest of us.
If you had to select a word of the week, what would it be?
If you had to select a memory verse of the week, what would it be?
Read Chapter 11. Admittedly I’m partial to this chapter because my son, Dylan, and I are in it.
Read Chapter 12. It’s not really a chapter, it’s a powerful tool and resource that you will want to refer back to over and over again.
Please comment today. I’ve missed y’all SO MUCH!!! I haven’t been on email or the blog in a while because I was with Danielle in the hospital. I really missed my Bible study gals! And a huge thank you to Stephanie Clayton and all who pitched in to keep this study going. And a super huge thank you to all of you who have been praying for sweet Danielle. I’m happy to report that she came home on Saturday and is doing much better.
Have a super day y’all! I’ll be checking in all during the week. And we may even have a few give aways…I feel like sharing the love this week!
<3
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{ 42 comments }
Yay!! Rejoicing with you and D, my lil, that she is home and well. Continuing to pray as y’all journey this road. Love you both! Sambo
Love you too Sambo!
Love u both too
Thanks Melissa, this is a message I really needed to hear today. I do the thing too, and now I know why! Love you!…kate
Thanks Kate!
I am so glad to have been a part of this study, a life changer for me! There has been lots of steps forward and sad to say a few back. The thing is it is “not about trying harder but, turning sooner” .
My word for the week – committed(long story behind that. God used Kim in the admin group to throw the question out of what we think when we hear that word) I DID NOT LIKE THE WORD AT ALL! the word consumed me though until just yesterday I stopped fighting it! I Surrendered ALL
verse of the week-Job 11:13-15
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
13Surrender your heart to God,
turn to him in prayer,
14and give up your sins–
even those you do in secret.
15Then you won’t be ashamed;
you will be confident
and fearless.
Thank you for leading us through this study, God has used you and Stephanie in a mighty way in my life!!
So thankful you surrendered. Thank you for sharing that.
Thank you Melissa for ALL that you do and for the blessings you have placed on me and so many others. God has worked through you to help so many find peace and heal. Of course, Renee has helped more that I could ever imagine she would with A Confident Heart. And that is my word of the week, “CONFIDENCE”! Because that is what I have gained through this whole study. I am not “healed” because I don’t think any of us will ever be abosolutely 100% free from doubt and worry. But, I will say that I am 100% confident that I know WHO to lean on during those times and I know where to turn anytime I fear, doubt, or need anything. It would take all day to tell you the blessings you have directly given me or you have brought me through other means….such as conference calls, other blogs I have ventured to, etc. I have found so many answers during this journey. You lead me to Lysa’s blog the very day she posted “Confessions of a Jesus Girl”. That was exactly what I needed to hear to surrender to God and give Him the one thing that was holding me back. I have already been blessed by Him for doing that. My scripture would be Phil 4:13 – “I can do ANYTHING through Him who gives me strength”. I know truly know what that means. God has given me the strength I need . God has been working on me for over a year. He is not finished with me, but I am so proud that He chose me to go through this trial, it has been so hard, but the journey has been amazing. I have learned so much during the process. You have been a major part of my “healing journey” and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You a truly a servant of God and He is doing great things in you. This has done so much for me, I am going to do a study for the women at my church in January. Thank you for giving me the confidence that I need. I just pray God helps me through, I cannot do this alone.
God Bless you Melissa!
I praise God for everything you wrote. It’s all Him.
This is my first on line Bible study. I am planning on doing it again with my daughter-in-law with the same book ,Confident Heart with Renee Swope.
My word for the week is: ELOHIM God, My Mighty Creator
During my reading this morning I was reminded in John 6: that many disciples turned away from Jesus. They said “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
A little later on Jesus asked the twelve “You do not want to leave too, do you?”
These words reach into the marrow of my soul every time, and bring tears to my eyes. I love Peter’s words when he said “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” I cannot imagine what life would be like without My Creator, My Savior, My Comforter. Thanks for all your service in Him, many Blessings.
Thank you Melissa for all that you and the admins of our group did for us. This is my first on-line bible study group and I absolutely loved it. Every week I looked forward to the next lesson plan. I had bought the book before this study ever started and I contemplated reading it. This bible study group just pushed me into reading it sooner, a lot sooner. You all challenged me to take a look deep down within me, to see who I really am, a confident woman. Sometimes in our day to day lives it’s hard to believe that, but it’s true. We all are confident women. We just have to keep reminding ourselves of that.
My word for the week would be Serenity. Serenity is how I feel when I am doing this bible study. My life is filled with lots of stress and uncertainty, doubt and fear, but when I sit and do my bible study or when I just sit and pray and talk to the Lord, I feel peaceful, calm. It doesn’t happen all the time but I am striving for more serenity in my life.
My favorite verse would be Psalm 46:10 – Be Still And Know That I Am GOD!!!..Very short and sweet and to the point. Powerful! This verse always comes to my mind. I think this is God’s way of telling me to slow down, and remember that He is in control.
Again, a big Mahalo (thank you) to you and all the admin that have shared in this journey. I look forward to the next study.
I love Ps 46:10. It has calmed me many times. And Mahalo to you for joining me in the next study!
What an awesome post Mel!
This week I’m twice as happy, because God has given me a new opportunity to be with my beautiful family! I made it safely to Brazil, and I’m finishing my reading in my parent’s home, one of my favorite places in the whole world!
I’ve worked in ICU for 10 years, and these words inhale and exhale are in my daily vocabulary. Watching my intubated patients breathing through mechanical ventilation everyday, makes me think just like Melissa: there is so much inside us we need to pour out, breath out, we need it OUT… on the other hand there is SO much good we need to breath in and fill our souls with!
As we finish this Bible Study, I find myself with SO much more confidence! Confidence I could NEVER think I would have!
Thank you Renee Swope for the life-changing book.
Thank you Melissa Taylor, you inspire me to be a better person. You have helped me to walk closer to God.
To Danielle I wanna say I’m SO happy you are home and better, and God has loved you through faithful friends. God is the Author of Life, and you are His beautiful Composition.
Steph, you ROCK. I just love your posts! Thank you.
Sweet blessings to you all!
Mi Caséca
Mi,
Love you! You know that. <3
I know. And I love you too. <3
Melissa,
I feel like I know you even though I have not met you in person. But through this study and this blog, I feel a real connection to you. God bless you for all you are doing for women through your writing, vblogs and Bible studies. I am going through serious trials right now. Struggling to hold my marriage together (hubby has wanted separation for past 6 months, says he has lost all passion for our relationship and wants to pursue other relationships) and striving to find a job. I lost my job a year ago, been working as a temp/contractor for a year and now on Friday I find out that the funding for my temp job won’t continue past end of this month. Trying not to panic. Stomach in knots. Sleep is difficult. Praying constantly. Holding on to God’s promises that he will provide for me and my two daughters. Trying not to succumb to fear that can paralyze me. And just plain missing my mama, who went home to the Lord 3 years ago. My word is “breathe”… Bless you for what you do.
Praying for you Evalyn. Hang on to what you know. And “breathe.”
My word of the week is: Enough. I know that no matter what life throws my way, my God is enough!
My verse of the week is: “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has given us a new birth because of His great mercy. We have been born into a new life that has a confidence which is alive because Jesus Christ has come back to life.” 1 Peter 1:3 GW
Reading “A Confident Heart” and participating in the online Bible study has been a huge blessing to me. I have grown more in confidence these last 11+ weeks, than I have the last 50+ years. A big thank you to Renee Swope for letting God use her to share her experiences. And a big shout out to you, Melissa. I could have just read the book on my own and maybe answered the questions, but there is an element of accountability when making the commitment to do it as a Bible study with so many other women. I have grown so much through the process and know that I will continue to grow in confidence as I keep turning to God. God bless you and your team.
ENOUGH!!!! I love that!
The verse I would pick would be Proverbs 3:5-6. This is my life verse and I love it so much. The word of the week would be compassion. It really hits home for me. It has been great doing this study online. I have grown in the Lord since this. I have read the chapter and I loved the story of you and Dylan. That is how I wished I walk was like. Are there more studies I can do online? Please let me know. Thanks.
Jeanie Kelley
We will start Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst January 16th. Details are coming soon!
Melissa, My word of the week is Royalty, Isa 62:3. I don’t have to worry and lack confidence because I am His. I am so thankful for the wonderfully beautiful strong Oaks God planted in this study for me to observe and learn from. Through the interactions, prayers, and reading from this study, I know that God is not finished growing this tree and using it for His glory.
When I read your post today, I literally thought you were writing to me specifically. I had to read it twice to realize you were referring to ‘Samantha’ in your office, not ‘Samantha’-me!
I needed to hear this lesson and whether you meant it or not, it was directed directly at me. I need to remember to inhale Jesus, exhale junk. Thanks for letting God use you to touch me so personally!!
Samantha
I have loved this study and have learned so much. My word for this week would be Able. With God at my side and in me and working through me, I am able to do anything. I am able to stand against anything that comes my way with God by my side. And God is able to do exceedingly abundant things with and through me.
Verses:
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Ephesians 3:20
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Hi Melissa
I have love this study so so much I can not tell what being in a Confident heart bible study meant to me espically the group I am in they have been so so stinkin awesome love those ladies. You Melissa make me follow hard after Jesus and I have fallin more in- love with Him thru this study , you inspire me and encourage me thank you for taking time out to talk to me and to teach me to learn how to love you have been a role model for all of us, Thank you Renee Swope for your book it has been life changing in my life I have learned to show grace and learned to love and care and most of all I have learned to Trust in Jesus more than I use to and to rely on Him. Thank you for writing this book I will keep it forever and more than likely reread it and go over the questions again.
My word of the week is ABIDE t0 stay in Jesus and to abide in Him daily and Him in me.
my verse is Matthew 6;34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.
God brought me to that verse on Dec1st 2011 because I had been worried about a number of things so He is defintley teaching me things .
Want to thank Christi and Wilma they were on top of things and I thank God for those women behind the scenes as well . Love these studies online and I pray that God would use you women in a mighty way in other lifes. Keep showing the Way the Truth and the Life .
Thanks Melissa for all you do you can’t change the entire world ( But I want you to know that you changed MY entire world.) Thru the last 2 studies I done with you this year.
Love You
Carol
Thank you Carol. I’m so thankful you found these online studies and you have really gotten involved. It’s such an honor to see God moving and working in your life! You are a blessing!
Melissa! I’ll answer the questions at another time but just had to let you know I read through the chapter. Dylan’s story was SUCH a blessing! I love it when our kids GET IT! We can learn so much from them. They keep it real
I love it that Renee included this.
Me too Beth! thanks!
Melissa,
So glad you’re back! Stephanie did a great job filling in and I have enjoyed immensely her blog and her posts. This Bible study has definitely been life changing for me. I always thought I had plenty of self-confidence and that I knew who I was and where I was going, but Renee and you have shown me that there is still a lot of the scared young woman I used to be inside me. I want to pay forward what I’ve learned her by facilitating this study at my church. I know there are women in my church who would benefit and I look forward to sharing with them what I have learned.
I haven’t had a chance to read chapter 11 yet, but if I were to choose a word right now, it would be renewed, because that is what I am. And, my verse would be as it always is, Phiippians 4:11-13 because for me, while verse 13 is cool and is what I believe, I have worked long and hard to be able to say as Paul did, “I have had much and I have had little, and I have learned whatever my circumstance to be content. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
Thank you again. I am so glad I’ve had the chance to spend this time with you. I look forward to more opportunities to do Bible study with you.
In Him,
Lynn Burgess
So glad to hear things are better for “your” girl! I’ve missed so much of this study for school studies but I am slowly reading the book! So glad I came across Renee’s blog 2 years ago to also find P31!!!
My recent favorite word has been HOPE. Because no matter what happens He promises a “hope and a future” for us all!
Jeremiah 29:11
Melissa, thank you so much for this study. I have really enjoyed it and enjoyed the prayer groups as well. This was my first online study and my first study as an adult child of God. I love, love, love how you keep it so real and honest.
I could not find just one word so I choose two words this week..TRUST and FAITH. The verses on page 196 really spoke loudly today and will become part of my go to verses. But my favorite verse of all time is Joshua 1:9 NIV. Everytime I read it I imagine God speaking it in a stern fatherly voice, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Blessings,
Denise
Contentment would have to be my word of the week. I am particularly drawn to Philippians 4:10-14, but if I have to choose just one verse it would have to be verse 12. . . “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Sounds to me like Paul knew a thing or two about living “paycheck to paycheck”.
The big lesson here is that even when our circumstances change. . . when we lose our job, when we face personal illness or of someone we love dearly, when someone close dies, when your children are in college $$, when your marriage is struggling to survive, when it is almost payday and there is no milk or bread . . . even then, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (vs. 13) I have learned so much about God and His word through this study, as well as the book of Hebrews study that I have been also participating in. I just can’t seem to get enough of my Bible these days!!
Thank you Melissa and company for your leadership and your desire to help others even when you have struggles of your own. I hope that you, like Renee in Chapter 12, have found that by helping others, you have found that you too can have A Confident Heart with the help of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
My word of the week is Hope and Confidence. My verses would be Proverbs 3:5-6 and Philippians 4:13. Don’t ask me quote them right now my brain is in overload.
Thank you for such a wonderful study looking for to Made to Crave.
I’m so grateful for how God has used you in so many people’s lives….my mind is like spaghetti right now with so many things I want to share,…but I will try to limit myself and give the cliff note version. The way the Good Lord fits so many puzzle pieces together is amazing….My word of the chapter is LOVE….and here’s why….God did what He needed to in order to get my full attention….He gave me similiar messages in church on sunday, in chapter 11 of your book and in a “random book”(I KNOW it was God)that I picked up to read while I start working out this week at the gym on the bike etc, called Hinds Feet on High Places…..I read this book probably 10 plus years ago….but this time it has hit me hard. I am the character Much-Afraid…and have been much of my life…but your book has taught me to consciously turn to God in times I struggle BEFORE it gets to the helpless point…not as last resort…..I always thought it was supposed to be automatic or it wouldn’t be “real”…you changed my thinking on that. And, as I read Hinds’ Feet at the same time….I feel like I am seeing my life…and being reminded in there about what you say….going to God first…because He really is there EVERY time!!!!!! I have so much more to say ….cuz God has truly been so amazing in my life…..(this after my husband left me, my teenagers live with me but cant sstand me cuz i have to discipline them, I had to move in with my mom at 40 cuz Ive never worked until hubby left, had to put my dog down, financial struggles….) …..but ladies GOD IS LOVE!!!!! ….and the more I share my story with people and focus on how I can help others…the blessings flow!!!! I truly believe you don’t know God is all you need until God is all you’ve got!!! ….and He is AMAZING!!!!
Thank you Mellissa……..and for everyone who shares!!!!!! God bless you all!!!
My word of the week is POWER! Tears swelled up in my eyes as I read Dylan words after his blood was taken “That’s it? It’s over? The prayers worked!” Oh how I long to say those words – the prayers worked! over and over again. I want to say over my family – the prayers worked, over the children that the Lord is giving me – the prayers worked, over my husband – the prayers worked, over my job – the prayers worked.
I have learnt so much in this study and when I look back at the place I was emotionally and spiritually when we started, it seems like a different me altogether, I don’t know if people have noticed, but my thoughts are different, my words are different, even my cubicle is different with various post-it notes. My life has changed for the better, I love the Lord because He gives us strength, my confidence is in His ability to do all things.
Thanks Melissa – I know that you struggled a lot through out this study but the good news is that, many lives has been changed and we can’t wait for your next study!
Love
Olayinka
My bible verse for the week – Ephesians 3: 20 – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
Thank you Olayinka! I know my struggles have been many during this study…I never expected that, but I have also felt blessed by the prayers, love, and encouragement I’ve received along the way. <3
It’s Anne here
Thank you so much for these lessons from Renee, Melissa, Stephenie & others.
It has been quite a challenge. I like the word for the week and verse for the week….I carry it with me in my head etc wherever.
Been sick for a week with cold/allergy/flu..still re coperating.
Thank you for letting us know about Danielle–I too prayed for her and you Melissa
Haven’t finished reading Chapter 11 yet–I like “Inhale & Exhale” And yes, thank you…God is “enough”
Still thinking what verse would be good…….
I am choosing a “phrase of the week” which is: In the shadow of the cross…..This is something that really spoke to me in this chapter. I need to live daily in the shadow of the cross. I really liked when Renee said, “Jesus did not die on the cross just to get us out of hell and into heaven. He died on the cross to get Himself out of heaven and into us!” My verse for this week would be, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Words of the week – Chosen, Redeemed and Called
Verses of the week
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
I Peter 2: 9 You are a chosen [woman], a royal [priest], a holy [daughter], God’s possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into hiis wonderful light.”
Thanks for a great study Melissa. Thanks for say “yes” to Jesus and for sharing the love in Jesus up close and personal!
Thank you Melissa for leading such a wonderful study. it has definitly changed my life. I am so thankfull that Danielle is better and home. God is totally amazing.
Thank you Renee for listing to God and writting this book. It is changing lives. I will shate it with other woman in my life. Thank you, again.
My word for this week would have to be Trust. We are going through a couple trials right now. Husband hurt his back and is out or work, on fmla, and in a lot of pain. Teenage son in trouble and having to go to court. I have put my trust in our Lord and Savior, thats the only way way we are going to get through all this.
My verse of the week would have to be Pro.3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do notdepend on your own understanding.
Looking forward to thte next online bible study.
I am so sad this is the final chapter. I’ve learned so much from this book & know I will be reading /studying it again. I’m excited about growing in confidence even more. Thank you for being such an awesome leader.what is the next study on? I grow from every study I’ve done through your ministry & can’t wait to see what God has in store for all of us!!!
XoXo!
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