Hey, Girls! You are doing such a fabulous job with your group discussion. I’ve especially loved watching you respond to one another. You really are such a tremendous and unique community of women. I’m honored to journey with you here. Let’s continue hearing from all those who have been active from the beginning but let’s also hear from more of you out there who are watching and reading but haven’t really jumped in here and participated. I promise you that when we wrap this thing up, you will be far more satisfied with the experience if you personally invested in it.
We are reaching the halfway point in our journey and have arrived at a place of utmost importance in our pursuit of wholeness. Your assignment this week is based on only one chapter of the book: CHAPTER 9. As you will soon discover, it is not a chapter you just read. It’s a chapter you actually do. A chapter you actually pray. Please take it seriously. Everything ahead of us hinges on this experience. It is placed at this point in the journey prior to the prescriptive and practical phase of the book so that the way is cleared and our dignity restored enough to move forward. It will help place us in a posture God can bless with the rich kind of confidence He wants for His people and activate the power we have within us to think and FEEL differently. That’s essentially where the remainder of the book heads.
Here are your very simple assignments this week:
1. Do (don’t just read but actually do) Chapter Nine. In your comment to this post, simply reflect back on your time with God and share anything specific that you received from it.
2. Go to last Saturday’s post (3/6/10) and look at all the verses in the comment section. You will find a wellspring! Pick five Scriptures that speak most powerfully to you right now – five that you feel like you need the most – and write them on the inside of the back cover of the book. (This should be a lot less intimidating than what I asked you to write inside the front cover at the beginning of our journey!)
And that’s it for this week! I want the prayer journey to stand by itself and clear the way for mighty works ahead. We have some of our most eye-opening moments in the second half so stay with it, Girls!
Since we only have one chapter this week, this is a great time for many of us to play catch-up!
I am packing this very moment and about to head to Toronto for our first 2010 Living Proof Live. We can’t wait to see a God-show in Canada! Come on, Canadian Sisters! We’ve got plenty of room for you!
I love all of you very much.
ginny 
ooops
Married
Parachute, CO
30's
My week has been very hectic. I wanted to take your advice Beth regarding the time factor. I always find time for morning devotional and finding time this week was impossible until this morning. I needed and took more than a half an hour. I prayed in Hope and expectation. I know by faith I will receive what I have asked for. It has already begun. There was an anointing on me this morning That's all want to say about that. Thank you Moore girls for this space and for ministering to me. I say it that way because I can only speak for myself.
Ginny
Schenectady NY
50's
never married
Lydia; OKC, OK; Single and Twenty-One,
Chapter Nine really helped me lay my baggage down and move on. What helped me the most? Writing down the date in my heart '…..on this date…..' my healing started.
Thanks for adding the prayer chapter!
A little late, but here goes! The entire chpt 7 impacted me in that the source of every negative reaction/coping mechanism is/was insecurity. Loved the examples… helped me finally name the nebulous source.
A. It's time to get my dignity back, or maybe closer to the truth, to step into dignity for the first time!
B. I don't have to live this way anymore…God has something far richer and purer for me.
C. It's time to put off the old and put on the new (wo)man, and I'm ready!
Looking at thinner women triggered that old lie: give up! You'll never be anything but fat…but NOW I see the lie for what it is: a lie! I refuse to be a doormat to ol' slewfoot anymore!
Dignity is healing, and health. The gift of the One who died to free me from the lies of the enemy. Amen, sisters.
I truly enjoyed my "me time" with Chapter 9!! Here are a few things that brought my praise and my hand raised as I prayed Ch. 9:
"Because of Your grace, I can come to You just as I am."
"Heighten my conviction until I'm instantly aware when insecurity is my own making."
"You have been with me every moment, even when I felt there was no one to take care of me."
"Please don't let it be said that I loved myself too much to fully love anybody else."
"Help me to see them as needy, broken people in their own right, and Lord, where there is still life and opportunity bring redemption to those relationships."
And finally……
"Perform a miracle on me, Lord."
Yes! Yes! Yes! Victory!! The prayer was soul changing.
Be Blessed Siesta's!
-Kim
Knoxville, Tenn.
Married
30
What a powerful prayer this was for me, and praise God for His faithfulness. He spoke to my heart, and gently explained something I've been missing all these years. I am worthy, because HE is worthy, and HE lives in me. I can stop trying to earn my worthiness to everyone, always trying to do more, to be everything to everyone. I am desperately loved, beautiful with HIS beauty, wise with HIS wisdom as I open myself to Him and He consumes me. Tears of joy flow this morning. Thank you, my precious Savior.
I kept avoiding Chapter 9, like many others have said they did. But this morning I sat down and did it, and what an incredible prayer!! It seems like everything I've been studying and reading the past several months have all been leading up to this point. I'm so ready to get up and go on with God and leave all this stuff behind me.
Two things that really struck me:
"Forgive me for my unbelief. If I realized how valuable I am, my insatiable need for affirmation would be quieted." And "Please deliver me from self-pity and a life of excuses and rationalizations."
50's
divorced
Arkansas
Holy cow! In my confessions I wrote: "overcoming my feelings of superiority" In the next paragraph Beth wrote "forgive me equally for every time I've sighed with relief at that thought that I might be superior after all." Thank you, Mama Beth, for helping me see that superiority is a form of insecurity and for helping me chip away at my pride and replace it with God's acceptance.
Celeste
Tennessee
50's
Married
Felt God nudging me to get on with getting past the insecurity and the feeling that I would indeed be victorious over it!
Sherri
41
Missouri
Single
Been avoiding chapter 9 all week, not sure why, maybe my insecurity that I could actually do it correctly. 😉
Spent at least 30 minutes reading the prayer outloud and just let the tears roll down my cheeks. Amazing how, Beth, you captured all the thoughts and feelings I thought only I had!
Ready for true healing and moving forward to occur!
Chapter 9 – I wrote down all the parts I had starred, checked or underlined. I read most of it twice. I still want to read it again out loud and let it sink in. Of all the notes I wrote, these lines meant so, so much:
"Please restore to my soul all that insecurity has stolen from me. Overturn every single thing the enemy meant for evil into something good. Perform a miracle on me, Lord. Cover me with Your trustworthy hand. Clothe me with strength and dignity. . . Make me a courageous woman . . ."
Thank you, Jesus!
60 Texas married
1. Thank you for this chapter. It did me a world of good. God is so incredible to lead you to a prayer that fits so many of us. My family began our Spring Break the night I read this chapter. We were at a hotel. My husband and two teenagers went to swim while I read the chapter. I had no idea how much would be packed into this prayer time between God and me but God gave me just the perfect amount of time to be totally alone with Him where I could pray this out loud. The minute I said, “Amen,” pizza was delivered and the family ran in right behind the pizza. It was a special time with God. I was amazed at how quickly the Holy Spirit laid things on my heart that I needed to deal with and/or confess to Him. It was a great time with my Lord.
2.
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NET)
Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.
Psalm 112:7-8
"She will have no fear of bad news, her heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord, Her heart is secure, she will have no fear, and in the end, she will look in triumph on her adversaries."
Joshua 1:9 NIV
"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."
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Psalm 34:4
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.
Shellye
Queen City, TX
Married
41 years old
Hi there I wanted to talk to you how silly with 3300 people I am not sure how that would of been possible. I did send a letter to your correspondence office I poured out my guts in the letter like I wanted to talk to you. I guess when youve had the same old problems and baggage for years you get a might tired of it and hope maybe there is some smart sister who can help guide you in the right steps. Thankyou Beth for your personal email back in October and I knew you were coming to Toronto last year and thought I probably wasnt going to be able to go and through a series of circumstances whether or not I deserved to go I still made it and was very thankful to God for that. Hope you will see and read my letter it may still take another week or so before you do. Those poneys up here are so slow(Just Joking, Ha Ha) . I sure hope its not to long before you can make it to Toronto or even Hamilton Ontario(hint, hint), God Bless you Susan Hamill
I am not sure if this is the right post to put this in, but I just had to put it somewhere!
Yesterday I was at a Family event…not mine but a dear friends. Long story short, My best friends mom started to yell at me. She is a strong woman who I adore. I've taken a lot of hit from her over the years. Anything that she thinks would upset my Mom, who is now gone almost 20 years, gets me a yelling at.
I have always just taken it. Even if I have tried to make a joke of some sort, I get yelled at all the more.
I stopped it yesterday. I did. There were twenty five people there and instead of just taking it I told her to knock it off. I get it, she does not approve, now stop. As my face turned bright red, I stood as tall and brave as any woman clothed in dignity. Then one of her own daughters asked her if she would like to go over a couple of faults of her own? Then told her she was out of line.
Party resumed.
I did it. I did it. I did it. I was not rude or disrespectful or anything out of order. I was a woman of valor and dignity.
I so wanted my own Mom's approval, that when I feel I have disappointed a woman my senior, I tend to turn into a naughty 8 year old. But not anymore, I am a new creation, one clothed in dignity. I am His child and I stood tall.
This makes me weep before Him. Thank you for letting me share.
Kathie
30's married
Michigan
After going through Chapter Nine I feel like I was finally able to put into words what type of insecurity I struggle with. I struggle most with feeling like I'm not good enough, not living up to others expectations for me and then I feel like I am not living up to what God has planned for me, that I'm not living out his purpose for me and then that I'm not good enough for his love. That is what I am most insecure about – not being good enough or worthy enough of love.
And then, in the days since I read this chapter, I'm noticing the times that my reactions/actions are due to insecurity and I am then able to act/react in a better way (sometimes). It has been eyeopening to be able to notice what situtations make me feel insecure, and it has been good for me to realize these things so that I can then give them to God and ask for his strength to change how I act or react in those situations.
Chapter 9 was a wonderful anointed time in prayer with my Lord. He helped me search my heart and among other things, perhaps the most important thing He revealed to me, is that I hide my true self from Him and others most of the time due to insecurity/fears.
I am believing that He has revealed this so that He can deliver me from it and heal me completely! I don't want to waste any more of my life!
Also, the scriptures from March 6th really touched me and I am getting ready to write down many of them! [more than 5 🙂 ]
Patty
married
50's
Kingwood,TX
What a sweet time with my God! And I was amazed how it was so personal even if it was words that you wrote. It was so refreshing to know that I can trust God with this. It is an issue of believing Him that I am who He says I am and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I have believed lies in these areas and totally sold myself short. My Kinsman Redeemer is willing and able to buy back my inheritance of security, strength and dignity. In fact, He already has. I need to believe it and live in that reality.
Shelly
30's
married
Texas
Heather
Tallahassee, FL
30s
Married
This assignment forced me to cry out and deal with those things I keep pushing to the back of my mind. God is good and He is gentle. I have hope!
This siesta is asking for a little grace as I am also facilitating the Breaking Free Bible Study, involved in a difficult time for leadership in our church, and trying to be a good wife and mommy. I wish I could've posted sooner.
However, this last Friday – thanks to my awesome husband – I had three hours all to my self. I spent it outside at a park in the sunshine…me and my Father. As many of you have also said, tears ran from my eyes. My Father wrapped his loving arms around me as I sat and prayed my heart out to Him. Oh how He so cares for me! And just two days prior to my time in the park, we just heard Session 9 in BF where you ended with "I love you too!" These two days were a perfect combination for my tired an worn out heart. Thank you Father, I love you too!
Kate
34
Married
Charlottesville, VA
Married, 30's, San Antonio, TX
*I changed my picture-to show off family*
Chapter 9
Wow. This was wonderful. I felt like the prayer was my own. Afther the second or third sentence I could barely see straight for all the tears. I cried with pain from so many past rememberances. I cried from the knowledge of my current state and sins. The best part was the releasing. I've let it go. The lost innocence, the lost relationship, the lost home. I feel like for the first time I'm really forgiving and releasing all the people who hurt me. I've had a HUGE moment with God. I feel free and clearminded. I pray tomorrow will look as clear.
Dearest Beth, thank you for being His servant, for being brave even when you didn't feel brave. Love, Michelle Lynn
P.S./to Nise…love that scripture from the message!! It's a keeper!
Got to read chapter 9 on the 11th, our Bible Study day. Even with packing for Spring Break and celebrating my baby's 16th birthday, God gave me an hour of complete solitude, expect for my cat eating my hair as I laid face down praying. Reading out loud and praying out loud always makes me feel self conscience but it was so freeing. I cried many tears and had several quiet still moments talking to my God. Sections of the prayer have been living in the back of my mind waiting to be brought forth and acknowledged. It's out now, brought to light and by the grace of God it will be dealt with. Hallelujah!
These are the 5 verses I wrote in the back of my book.
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
2 Samuel 22:36
You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great.
2 Chronicles 20:15-17
…Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's…You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD with be with you.
Galatians 3:3
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Hebrews 10:35-36
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Sharon
San Antonio
40's
married
Late again. Sorry about that.
I prayed through chapt. 9 last Tues. I was amazed at how many times the words were exactly what I was thinking or expressing things that I never really knew how to express. Through all the tears I realized I still have some gaping wounds from the past. I thought I had healed from them and in some ways I had but there were other parts that I did not even realize were there. I have to admit that I am wondering if I did something wrong in the process and maybe I need to do it again. The thing I need to remind myself of is I am not in control and there is no magic formula. What does mater is that I come before God with an honest, sincere, and humble heart. That being done I need to leave it in his hands and trust Him. I need to trust that God heard, cares and will heal those wounds if I let him.
Kim
Thatcher, AZ
50
married
Beth,
The prayer was amazing and something I'm positive that many of us will go back to Chapter 9 over and over until Jesus returns. Thank you Sweet Beth, for investing in us. Love you so!!!
Yolanda
40's
married
Kansas
ok, so i did cpt nine on march 15th but i still have not posted! so catching back up..
i think why i've prolonged posting is partially due to the fact that i felt like i somehow missed out on the experience of what cpt 9 was supposed to be. does that make sense? i just wanted it to be this huge experience, emotional and deep where i literally walked away feeling healed and whole and new and full of dignity. instead i came to the end of it a little disappointed because i felt very much the same. just being honest. i'm sure this either means i didn't fully engage in the process in some way or that i'm too much looking for feelings and not just believing God and moving forward and letting the feelings follow.
interestingly enough, since then, the enemy has hit me hard with a few very decisive and gradually increasing attacks to propel me toward insecurity. during each of those, i kept finding that scripture welling up from my soul: "i am clothed in strength and dignity". there was a girl at work who randomly tried to diminish and attack me personally, still don't know what really brought it on?? but my reaction was really different and surprised even me. so i know God is doing something. i still just don't feel full of dignity most days. i guess if i've practiced insecurity and rehearsed insecurity for 25 years, it may take more time to rehearse security.
so i guess that was my experience. it was a sweet time of quiet aloneness in our apt to just pour out my heart to the Lord and to receive from Him. but i am hoping the work He does in me through this time of prayer continues to unfold dramatically as i move on from this point.
martha
asheville, NC
20s
married
Y'all would be so proud of me:) I am catching up:)
Since we only had one chapter I decided I am using it to share how I was able to share the book with a stranger today.
I had to do a conference badge scan deal, and so I had a lot of time on my hands in between sessions.
So chapter 9…the part where you told us if we didn't agree with a something in the prayer to write in the margin.
Well, instead, I not ONLY did that, but I wrote down what I believed God would have said instead to me.
So blue ink covered 8-9 pages, and a lady walked up to me and said, " Can I ask what you are reading so intently that you would write so much in the margin?"
and I told her it was " So Long Insecurity" By Beth Moore, and it was really good. Turns out the lady had done your studies, but never read your books.
I was able to share a little about the book with her, and what I was doing.
Her name is Kim. She was a sweet lady. I am glad I got to talk to her today:)
Angie, 29
Georgia
I'm actually not sure what God is telling me right now except I need to work on the be still and know that I am God. I know that I have a lot more to get from Chapter 9. I am writing the entire prayer into my journal.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ME. I am really struggling with Chapter Nine. I have read the prayer and it says everything I truly feel. I have underlined the parts I especially like. The prayer is amazing. I related to every single word. I truly want to surrender all. However, I feel like there is a wall between me and the freedom of surrendering all to God. In trying to get time alone to pray this prayer, I just can't seem to get there. I always have more than one thing going on at a time. I guess in a way I am scared to surrender. I will have to leave my comfort of misery. I know God has not given us the spirit of fear, but power and a sound mind. This is one of my favorite scriptures along with Proverbs 3:5-6. I truly want to be free. I am so tired of being miserable. I am a Christian and shouldn't be miserable. Please pray that I can break through. I DESPERATELY NEED TO BE FREE OF THIS INSECURITY. I need God to give me the strength and courage to surrender. I don't know why I am having such a hard time with this. Why does it have to be so hard to just surrender all to our Wonderful Father, God? I think I am going to reread the prayer once more and then move on to Week 6. I know I am at a crossroads and I want to make the right choice with God’s direction. Thank you Beth for a wonderful, truly amazing book. May God continue to bless your amazing ministry.
Robin
34
Married
VA
Sigh – Insecurity is knocking at my door. I'm praying to walk in the newness of what God's doing in my heart.
I'm one of those who is behind, but so very much in God's timing on this one. When I got to the part where you said my insecurity could be dealt with that day I just had to stop and cry. What relief and joy just at the thought of it. Due to other circumstances I didn't get to the prayer part for a few days, but God knew that was necessary. Today, He and I set out on a course that I KNOW has allowed me freedom from this thing that has plagued me almost my entire life. After much soul searching, tears, and hugs from my Father above, I now know that I am who I am because He created me with purpose. I am valuable because I am His child, a daughter of the King who knew me while he was forming me in my mother's womb. Thank you, Beth, for being His handmaiden this day.
Mary Kay
50's
Married
Texas
Hi I started late but I am almost caught up and this is my first post to this study. I am so glad that i am doing this. The description that you, Beth, gave for insecurity describes me too well.
I read the prayer as you said outloud and cried through a lot of it. I didn't feel really any changes, and what was so great about your blog was, I wanted to see how everyone else felt about it just to compare if something was suppose to happen to me after praying or if it was another step to healing. I am so greatful to the blog for that. Anyway, I loved the prayer and as a matter of fact I decided to pray it again the next day. It felt even better to pray it again.
Thanks Beth and thank you everyone.
I'm having trouble signing in like everyone else so I hope its ok to sign in as Anonymous. But my name is Daniela and I am 49 and married from Tracy CA
Angie
30's
Goshen, IN
Married
So, I was at such a dilemma to read the prayer in Ch. 9 because I still have had a desire to dig deeper into the past heartaches and figure out where all these insecurities have come from and I haven't had the chance to really do that yet. With that said, I also really wanted to read it because I'm so ready to move on and get rid of this stuff! I decided I would read it and then still go back to my past again sometime soon when I have a good day or so alone and then maybe re-read the prayer after that time. Anyways, I'm so blessed to have gone ahead and read it.
I feel more than anything, God is speaking over me that I don't have to have all the answers of where my insecurities have come from BEFORE choosing to not live from them anymore. The last part of the prayer hit that idea on the head…"I actively and deliberately receive–and vow to keep receiving–everything that I have requested in Your will this day." For some reason, I think that if I pray for God to free me from this that I'll never face it again (or SHOULDN'T face it again) and that just isn't true. I need to keep receiving His security and love each day as I face new and different insecurities as well as the ugly ones that keep rising up from my past…even if I haven't figured out what all they are and where they've come from.
I must admit also to being still a bit scared to pray the part of the prayer that started with "Lord, help me to learn how to hang on tight to You when my life is rocked by dramatic change." I still have a fear (that I DO know comes from my past of losing a fiance to a tragic accident) that if I pray something like that, dramatic change WILL come to me and my world WILL be rocked for the worst. I'm so fearful that that "change" will be now losing my husband. I'm praying for God to continue to work on my insecurities there for sure as my husband is heading to Haiti in a few weeks on a medical missions trip and the fear that could (and in the past most certainly WOULD) arise could totally put me into a panic. I want desperately to trust God to protect him and keep him in my life and my kids' lives, but it's soooo easy to let those insecurities creep in. I may be saying all day long every day he's gone, "Break the cycle with me, O Lord. Break the cycle with me." : )
Thank you also for making us read the Scriptures. I found several that put me into instant tears as I heard my God shower me with affirmation that He's with me through the long haul of finding this true freedom! I love that He still speaks through His Word.
Forgive me for settling in my comfort zone.
Terri
Grand Rapids, MI
50s and married
Michelle
Single
20s
OKC
Chapter 9 was so amazing for me to do! I loved how the entire chapter was a prayer to my Father and allowed me to dig deep into my emotions and desires and pour them all out in a different way than I normally do. The most impacting part of the chapter was the following: "Lord help me to learn how to hang on tight to You when my life is rocked by dramatic change. Empower me to trust You and not to panic of fight for control….Nothing has the propensity to reveal false gods to me like a sudden change in my circumstances." – With a job change on the horizon, a serious relationship, and relocation between states all on my plate, I have had to continually hand over my panic and control to the Lord. What an amazing perspective!
This is for Amy,
Dear Amy,
I saw you on the LPM Blog. Your blog brought a smile to my face. You are an amazing woman of God. I married young and wanted children on my honey moon night. It was nine years before God brought that dream to realization. I look back now and see what a sweet time I had with Jesus, without kids to be able to grow in my knowledge, understanding and relationship with Him. I know God has GREAT things planned for you. You are beautiful! And as Beth says, "He is totally captivated by you!"
Hugs from Your Siesta in San Antonio,
Michelle
At times I've wondered at my hope of trying to keep up with the reading assignments/blogging and the Breaking Free Study, however, having just finished session 10 earlier this evening and then coming home and reading chapter 9 I can only say Praise You God for the strength to continue.
Reading, shaking my head, crying and laughing (at the parts that felt as if they came RIGHT out of my head!), highlighting, underlining – at times all at once!
The Lord has truly reached me in places I've never even imagined possible through BOTH of these studies combined – to believe in God's love and truth and hold on to them as in Him I ahave started to tear down the captive thoughts/lies/uproot insecurities and even though they are baby steps Lord I thank you for the past, for today, but most of all for what lies ahead for each of us in Your strenth and love.
For #2 – goodness couldn't just pick 5 but stopped at 8 – wonderfully inspiring & encouraging to read through, thank you to everyone who shared them!
Evelyn
49
Married
CA
Christina
29
Single
St. Thomas
I had not sat down to do this exercise because of course I have been distracted for a week or so. But to be honest I missed my reading and the closeness I was getting with time with God. So last night I decided I would get up early and take the time to do nothing more than Chapter 9 Exercise. I must say our Lord is amazing and his power and touch just flew through me this AM. I have been praying each day with my devotional to lead me and to help me trust Him with my big decisions and my little ones too. But this AM He just rocked my heart. I read through the amazing prayer with fervor and strength because I knew the more I put my true self into this practice the more I would get out of it. Well let me tell you….I played a bit of worship after I finished the prayer and I was brought to tears…to my knees with deliverance. I want so badly (as do all of the wonderful and beautiful women reading this book) to be free of this insecure self and to fully trust the one thing we can trust. I find myself fearful of trusting anything around me because I have been burned so badly but I know that is fear and many steps away from healing. I am working on that each day as well but I am so grateful for this prayer. For the deliverance I feel this morning as I know Jesus Christ was sitting right next to me as I called His name. I am so blessed to have relationship with the Almighty. Thank you, Beth, for your guidance and word to assist us who desperately want to be healed and to be whole again. Thank you, Jesus, for unending love.
I haven't posted yet, but am LOVING reading the book and discussing it with my fellow Christian ladies! This assignment was profound! I had read through a few of those verses previously, but today God truly spoke to me.
He said… My grace is sufficient for YOU, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest in me. – 2 Cor. 12:9
Thank goodness for that! As women, we can be so afraid of our weaknesses. I know I am. I hate that question in job interviews where they ask what your weakness is. I so awkwardly don't know how to respond for fear of what they'll think of me. But, rest assured, that God's power is made perfect in my weakness. I feel a sigh of relief over me. Whew!
Karen
Married
50
Kansas
Playing spring break catch-up. Chapter 9, oh my gravy, it is making such a difference in me! That time alone has renewed my devotion and reminded me of His love for me. I think I lost 10 pounds of garbage baggage during that sweet alone time.
God spoke intimately to me through the verses everyone shared; particularly those from Isaiah. God used those to confirm a desire He has for me!
I first read Ch 9 in my car while waiting for my oldest to get his bottom braces on (1 hr) and thinking when will I get that uninterrupted time to spend with God over this. I will just have to get up at 4am if needed be. That is what I did the next morning and actually had conversations with Him over these words for several mornings. That prayer was everything that I know I so needed and wanted to say just didn't know where to even start.
I received the fact that He IS my protector. He does know where all those crazy thoughts come from and can treat my lack of trust, my heart and my soul. I also came to a better understand of why certain areas of my medical illness that is not getting healed, by my standards. His light will shine and heal what is in His will. Out of nowhere I started thinking in situations maybe why and where the lack of healing could actually be used for the good of others. An idea 'we' need to continue to talk about.
Oh, yeah.
Nesha
Mechanicsville, VA
Married
30's
Katie
29
Married
MN
I just did chapter 9 and the part that spoke to me the most was the paragraph in the prayer about loss, I had a miscarriage in January and have been struggling. That paragraph was just wonderful especially the part about not believeing the lie that I will never be okay. I have worried and worried about that it was so go to read it and say it out loud. I know by God's grace I will be okay. Loss will not win, HE will be my gain!
And you won't believe this but throught this process as I have dealt with the grief I have felt insecure aobut my pain that "people' think I shouldn't be so grieved- but no more. I am going to walk through this valley with God secure in him.
The following points pulled from the prayer stuck out to me:
– God is intimately aware of why I think, feel and act as I do. He knows the deep down root cause.
– The concept of my responsibility in some of my insecurities, and that I need to repent from my contributions to my insecurity.
– That I am "fixated on what I don't have that I leave the gifts He's given me undeveloped and much less effective than He intended them to be"
– I loved the plea, "give me the discernment to call a lie a lie" and the challenge to be, "the kind of woman a little girl could follow to dignity and security"
Beth, thanks so much for such a heart-felt prayer!
Vicki
Dallas, TX
Single 20's
Kimberly
32
Pleasant View, TN
Married with kids
1) The main thing that resonates with me is the fact that I need to let God show me what to work on instead of telling Him what I need help with. He knows everything I have ever done, every need I have. Why do I think I should know better than Him what to focus on? It is so easy to forget that He does know everything about us and that He knows us better than we know ourselves. I want to learn to ferverently seek what He has to reveal to me about myself. I want to learn what He thinks I need to work on. And I want to do so knowing that whatever He reveals, He is ready to heal. I am ready for His healing! I also want to learn to lean on Him more and continually remind myself not to take back what I have given Him. I want to be able to SUSTAIN security in Christ, turning things over to Him and NEVER looking back, only forward, to the glorious future He has planned for me. Thank you, Lord!!
2) Only 5, really? Impossible! I picked 15, sorry!
Lots of love Siestas!
Katie
Russellville, AL
27
Married
I did chapter nine last Friday the 19th, but I really wanted to go back over it again today too. I remember it hitting me very hard when I read that God knows me completely, knows how I'm formed. He really drove home the point that in this season of discontentment with having been at home waiting on Him for the past 2 years, that even though I have so many dreams and goals He has placed in me, He ALONE is enough for me. ONLY HE can fill me. I felt so convicted too, but I loved how in that moment I TRULY FELT safe with Him.
Shellie
Moscow, Idaho
35
Married
1. Okay, I finally got a chance to do this. That in itself is nothing short of a miracle! As usual I keep hearing of other siestas crying and I didn't shed a single tear. Not even a lump in my throat. In fact, didn't really feel much at all.
And now I will look at those verses and do that part of my assignment. I will follow your instructions exactly, I promise. I am the biggest rule keeper it almost makes me sick!
As I began to read chapter 9 and realized I was to spend time with my LORD in prayer I felt like I was on the edge of breaking free from the idea that I cannot have dignity. I was able to spend that time with Him and there were some things that came to the surface I was able to confess. I have realized I must take His word by faith and that He does clothe me with strength and dignity. Its only through His supernatural power this can happen! May God be glorified!
Alison, 30's, married with children
Norman, OK
I can already tell you this will be way too long, so in advance I am sorry.
As I prayed out loud the words so divinely inspired from Chapter 9, I was shocked to find that I really did believe that I will never be okay.
The Lord reminded me that I made the choice to marry my current husband out of insecurity. The wedding was all planned, the plane tickets purchased by family, the dress hanging in the closet. I asked God to show me any reason why I should not marry this man, and He CLEARLY did just that. And I chose to look over it, because I couldn't face telling all my extended family that the wedding was off. 'You wasted your plane tickets, and I wasn't smart enough to make a wise decision.'
The pain and subsequent insecurity that I have experienced just grew from there.
Now God has made a beautiful thing out of my family and my marriage is thriving, as difficult as it still is, but it hit me like a brick that all of this started with insecurity. Because I have denied that I am insecure for YEARS. I have denied it.
No longer. And no longer will I live in fear of man, but only in the healthy fear of a Holy God, and in love with Jesus who has "clothed me with STRENGTH and DIGNITY!"
I am far behind! I missed week five and week 6 and we have now started on week 7….I've gotta be a little tomato and catch up!!
Lisa, 30s, married, Shawnee, KS
I was absolutely touched by the depth and detail. I was astonished at how many parts that paralleled my life at the moment. Especially since I am currently in the middle of Beth's Esther study. Beth you put to words so many of my feelings and I am grateful.
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not look anxiously about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
surely I will help you,
surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Psalm 27:1
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4
I am He. I am he who will sustain you. For I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you."
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength."
Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV)
She will have no fear of bad news, her heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord, Her heart is secure, she will have no fear, and in the end, she will look in triumph on her adversaries."
psalm 112:7-8
"…This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's…Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'"
2 Chronicles 20: 15-17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom & revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance on the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:17-19
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
(2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)
Chapter 9 was something that I really needed!! It covered EVERYTHING I really had to face and admit and give to God!…Wow!
My five key verses that speak to me are:
Isaiah 40:31: but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
_______________________________
Isaiah 43:2 (one of my favs from Breaking Free) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
It gives me comfort to know that God is with me when I go through a tough time!
_____________________________
Jeremiah 29:11–"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I worry so much about the future
….this verse seems to just pop out of nowhere no matter what…I believe it is God speaking to me…He is in my face constantly saying this to me!
__________________________________
Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Just knowing he can take up my heavy yoke so I can rest is strengthing
________________________________
Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
this one I need to post all over my house, in my car, and at work!
single
SC
40's