Her Secret

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Amy Carroll and Renee Swope

There's a woman who works at a nearby grocery store that just makes my day. She’s ALWAYS positive and cheerful. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I know it’s hard working with the public and spending long hours on her feet, so I asked her for her secret. She smiled, and told me that she has to be at work at 6 am so she gets up at 3:30 to spend time with God.She admitted it isn't easy. "By the end of the week I'm very tired, but God is my secret." She said. WOW, this precious woman wakes up while it’s still dark to have time with God so she can make a positive impact on every customer.

I don’t know about you, but getting up early and starting my day with prayer, isn’t easy for me. I want to start down my checklist the moment I wake up. But this woman reminds me that prayer is crucial if I want to give my best and reflect God’s love to others.

For more encouragement, visit proverbs31.org

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Pretty, Pretty Princess

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Renee Swope and Micca Campbell

Do we ever get too old to play Pretty Pretty Princess? Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. My friend’s daughter Peyton has always loved playing dress-up, so much so that her mom bought her a game called “Pretty, Pretty Princess.” The players could put on earrings, necklaces, or a crown, according to which card was drawn. It was Peyton’s favorite game.

She’s not alone. No matter how old we get, most women long to be as pretty as a princess. It’s a God-given desire. However, we often try to fill that desire in unhealthy ways. The world says we have to the perfect size and have a flawless face. No one measures up, but we sure try to with millions spent on cosmetics, lotions, and surgeries every year.

You know, we’re children of God, which makes us daughters of the King, so we’re already princesses and He loves us all! So, who cares what the world says? God thinks we’re BEAUTIFUL!

For more encouragement, visit proverbs31.org.

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Just A Little Gossip

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

How bad can just a little gossip be? Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. The Bible warns us that gossip will separate close friends.

I believe it. There’s nothing worse than to feel betrayed by a friend’s careless words. The Bible also warns us that what we sow, we’ll reap. In other words, if I gossip about others, I can almost bank on the fact that others will soon be talking about me.

Think of what a great gift it would be tell a friend that you’ve made the commitment to never say anything dishonoring about her. I know how great this gift is because I had a friend make this commitment to me. My heart feels so safe with her. The trust we have is rare and beautiful.

I firmly believe that to have a great friend, you have to be a great friend. And becoming a woman who refuses to gossip is a great place to start. For more friendship advice, click on Today’s show at Proverbs31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, By Lysa Terkeurst

Made To Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst

What's Real?

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Holly Good and Renee Swope

Has your trust ever been destroyed by someone’s betrayal? Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. A few years ago, my friend Holly had her world shattered. She found out that someone she loved deeply had done something terrible.

For weeks, Holly begged God to help her understand. Her sense of reality was threatened, so she desperately cried out, “What is real God? Please tell me! Because what I thought was real may not be.”

After reading her Bible and praying, God gently revealed answers to Holly’s wounded heart. Her focus had been on herself and her questions. God reminded Holly of her need for Him. God also reminded Holly of what IS real. He is real.

People are imperfect. They may disappoint or even hurt us. But, no matter what happens, God wants us to trust HIM and focus on Him alone. I’m so thankful nothing can separate me from His always PERFECT love. And THAT is real. For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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Where Does My Help Come From?

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

I need help! But where can I find it? Hi, I’m Renee Swope from Proverbs 31 Ministries. There are days when I am so jealous of the Proverbs 31 Woman – the Bible says she had servant girls –and I could surely use some help around here!

The other day I was grumbling a little to God about needing some help and He reminded me that my help comes from HIM!

In the Bible. King David said, “I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from God, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

We all have areas of our lives where we need help, but sometimes I forget that God offers the help I need! These words remind me that when I feel overwhelmed and like I can’t go on, instead of only asking for help, I can remind myself of where my help comes from. My help comes from God! He is the maker of Heaven and earth. For more encouragement, visit Proverbs 31 Ministries at proverbs31.org.

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I Hate To Be A Burden

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

My email was supposed to be a prayer request, but it started out sounding more like an apology. Hi, I’m Renee Swope from Proverbs 31 Ministries. I needed friends to pray, but I hesitated to ask. I didn't want my request to be a burden for anyone.

My husband was having health problems and a biopsy done that week, but I wasn’t sure if it was going to be anything serious in the end. I just knew that I didn’t want to walk through it alone or in my own strength. Fifteen minutes after I sent the email several friends started telling me they were praying. Not only did they pray - they thanked me for sharing what was going on and for letting them be there for me.

For someone who hates to impose on others, I need to remember that asking for prayer isn't about putting burdens on my friends. It's about letting them walk by my side down a path that I was never intended to walk alone. For more encouragement, visit proverbs31.org.

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Never Assume

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Is the grass really greener in someone else’s lawn or is it an optical illusion? Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

My house looks great until a friend redecorates her house. My kids appear smart until I’m around someone else’s kids who excel in areas my kids don’t. My marriage is wonderful until I meet a sweet young couple who have the perfect blend of romance and conversation in their relationship.

In each scenario, everything I thought I enjoyed suddenly pales in comparison.

And here’s the kicker, the things I’m eyeing with envy are usually never what they seem. I’ve come to learn that everyone has not-so-great aspects of their lives. So, when I get an overly idyllic view of someone else’s circumstances, I remind myself that I’m not equipped to handle what they have—both good and bad.

For more, visit Lysa’s blog at Proverbs 31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, by Lysa TerKeurst

Everything Changes

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Jill Tracey

Someone I work with was venting about how frustrating it is that nothing EVER stays the same! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

My co-worker had recently lost a very dear friend…something she’d never expected to happen so early in life. There were other changes, too…good AND bad. Watching another friend endure a painful divorce while at the same time watching her daughter grow and try new things; basically changes that happen all around us. But, when they happen all at the same time, it’s unsettling.

She knows of course that Jesus never changes. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. But, to be honest, she’d really like it if her friends could always be around, if her daughter would always want to cuddle with her, if people she loves would stay married, and if her favorite restaurants would stay open!

I can so relate! If you ever struggle with this, you’re not alone! Find some hope at proverbs31.org!

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Operating In And With God's Love

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

What if I told you that sometimes feeling insecure and inadequate is a good thing? Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Sounds odd right? But I’ve found my insecurities and inadequacies can lead me to love others on a practical level.

Sometimes I’ll wake up during the night and think of someone I know who’s in pain, which prompts me to pray for them. In a crowded room, I can find a person who appears to feel overlooked by others and give them my attention. When someone is rude, I can try to see their humanness apart from their action.

If I were totally secure in myself all the time, I wouldn’t be nearly as likely to have a tender response to others’ insecurities. So, you see? Feeling insecure can be a gift that can help us to reach out and love others. For more visit Proverbs 31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, by Lysa TerKeurst

I'm Not Good Enough

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Gary Morland with Renee Swope

Do you ever get a feeling that you’re not good enough? Hi, I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Sometimes I’ll be thinking about something I want to do or dreams I want to fulfill and all of a sudden this feeling of doubt comes over me. It’s like someone’s telling me I’ll never measure up.

My friend Gary wrote on his blog that he finally came up with an answer to his “You’re not good enough” feeling:

First he just admits it. He tells himself. “You got that right. I’m all wrecked up. You don’t know the half of it.” Then he reminds himself that his “good enough” comes from Jesus. And that settles the performance part.

The truth is when we belong to Jesus, we’re covered in His goodness. We’re loved and accepted forever because God is constantly offering us His love and grace. So, it’s His goodness that makes us good enough!

Find out more about God’s never ending love for you at Proverbs31.org.

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I Lost Myself In The Process

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

A few weeks ago I stumbled into a conversation that shocked me. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. A woman I greatly admire was out to eat with her grown kids. I complimented my friend about how great her kids have turned out. Suddenly, her face dropped, her expression changed, and I could see emptiness behind her eyes.

"Yes my kids turned out great and I loved raising them. But, I lost myself in the process."

I paused and thought, ‘how do we fully embrace motherhood but not lose the other parts of us?’ We’re surrounded by moms who work and moms who stay at mom. I’ve learned that one size does not fit all. But one God does. He creates a beautiful work in and through each of our lives.

And we’ll be most fulfilled when we embrace every part of the unique life God has planned for us. For more visit Proverbs 31.org.



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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, by Lysa TerKeurst

Dealing With Loss

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Renee Swope

Sometimes the holidays are hard, especially when you’ve experienced a great loss. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Have you lost something this year? Maybe it’s your job, your health, or a loved one. A loss can leave you feeling alone and empty. It can seem as if everyone around you is getting on with their lives while you’re suffering alone. It’s easy to fill our emptiness by throwing ourselves into busy holiday preparations. But, in the quiet times, our loss can overwhelm us.

If you’re feeling lonely or empty today, I just want to offer you a reminder: Jesus wants to move into the space that was created by your loss. That space may be filled with negative feelings right now, but Jesus wants to replace anger with peace. He wants to replace sadness with comfort. He wants to replace despair with hope, and He wants to replace fear with courage.

Jesus wants to fill the emptiness with His love. If you’d like to know more about a relationship with Jesus, please visit Proverbs 31 Ministries at Proverbs31.org.

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Leap of Faith

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

When we experience those things in life that we just don’t understand, we have to choose whether or not we’re going to trust God. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31Ministries.

It’s not being optimistically foolish to trust God no matter what. It’s what we call faith. It’s in that in between, when we don’t have all the answers, and we don’t know if everything will turn out okay that we come to know what real faith is.

Real faith isn’t a hopeful wish. Real faith is making the decision that no matter the outcome, we’ll choose to see it as God’s perfect answer.

Through the good. Through the not so good. And even through the down right awful- we will trust God. Now this doesn’t mean we won’t cry and express hurt. But it does mean we’ve decided it’s better to have lived trying to take leaps of faith with God, than to walk away from Him.

For more encouragement click on Lysa’s blog at Proverbs31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, by Lysa TerKeurst

Know Whose You Are

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope and Melanie Chitwood

We may know who we are, but do we know whose we are? Hi, I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Melanie chuckled as she listened to her five-year-old give a very detailed answer when someone at church asked his name. He said, I am “Zachary Patrick Chitwood, son of Scott Joseph Chitwood.” Melanie wasn’t sure why Zachary responded that way. She’d certainly never heard this answer before, but she liked it! It let her know that Zachary knew whose he was!

Melanie’s story is a great reminder for me. The truth is sometimes I forget who I belong to. I forget that God alone gives me my identity instead of my past, my feelings, or others’ disapproval. And, you know, the more I grow in my relationship with Jesus, the more I understand that those other definitions are not the truth. The truth is: I am Renee Swope, a daughter of God!

For more encouragement click on Everyday Life at Proverbs31.org.

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Hanging On

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope and Susanne Scheppmann

Do you ever feel like you’re just barely hanging on in life? I did, just this week! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

The other day I was watching some small birds outside my window hanging upside down from a mesh feeder. They clung to the feeder with their tiny toes and pecked at the seeds inside. Then a strong gust of wind shook the feeder, but the birds didn’t let that bother them. They calmly pecked away. Soon some bigger birds tried to knock them off the feeder. Again, they clung to the mesh. They wouldn’t let anything pull them away from their food source.

I glanced at the Bible on my desk and thought, “There’s my spiritual food. Do I cling to it, no matter what challenges come my way?” I have to admit I don’t always cling to God’s words when times get tough. But, those little birds have inspired me to dig in and hold on tight! For more encouragement visit Proverbs 31 Ministries and click on Everyday Life at Proverbs31.org.

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Remedy For A Stale Prayer Life

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Do you ever feel like your prayer life is kind of stale? Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. A few years ago I found myself praying mostly because I felt obligated to do so. And I started to realize most of my prayers seemed to be centered on me and what I wanted God to give me or do for me.

Now, it’s not wrong to ask God for things. But if they set my expectations of God to be getting what I want without taking into consideration His bigger plan…things can get very one sided.

So, I changed my prayers a little. I still ask God for things, but I don’t make this the focus of my prayers. Instead, I spend more time trying to be quiet so I can hear whatever He might have to say. And if I don’t hear Him speaking to my heart, I open up the Bible and ask Him to talk to me through His written words.

For more, visit Proverbs31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, by Lysa TerKeurst

Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl, by Lysa TerKeurst

Confessions Of A Shop-A-Holic

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope and Wendy Pope

Sometimes when I get stressed, I just want to go shopping so I can escape! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

My friend Wendy recently told me how shopping used to be an addiction for her. When she got married, she brought a lot of debt with her and carried it for many years. As she continued to accumulate debt, Wendy hid receipts and new purchases from her husband. The secrets kept her from having an open relationship with him. It also kept her from experiencing the joy of a real relationship with God.

Wendy wanted to be free from her addiction, so she decided to meet each morning with Jesus and talk with him about her struggle with spending. She also stopped going to stores unnecessarily and carefully recorded every purchase she made. She finally felt completely free when she cut up her credit cards and confessed her mistakes to her husband. Wendy said she now has a deep joy that comes from something she could never buy!

For more encouragement visit Proverbs31.org.

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Thorns or Flowers?

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Life really isn’t always a bed of roses. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. When I was in middle school my family was falling apart, so I went to live with my aunt for almost a year. I remember her telling me not to run through her rose garden.

I didn’t listen of course and took a running start with my arms stretched out wide only to be shocked with searing pain. Thorns. Big, mean, vicious thorns ripped my flesh and opened up a flood of tears. I looked at my source of pain and wondered if I should call it a bush of thorns or a bush of flowers. It could go either way.

You know, I can look back on my life in pretty much the same way. Would I see the hurt or would I see the beauty? And I guess you could say I've been making that choice everyday since my encounter with the rose garden. For more encouragement, visit Proverbs31.org.

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What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, by Lysa TerKeurst

A New Perspective

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

It was cold and rainy yesterday, and I was feeling dreary. Hi, I'm Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

It’s funny how my mood can be affected by the weather, my circumstances, lack of sleep or even just my perspective.

I was wishing the sun would come out and cheer me up but then I noticed my 11-month-old baby girl looking out the window at the raindrops. We just adopted Aster from Ethiopia and everything is so new to her. When I saw her kneeling beside our back door with her face pressed up against the glass, watching the rain trickle down the window, it changed how I saw things. Looking at the rain through my little girl’s eyes gave me a whole new perspective!

So, is there something that has you feeling kinda down today? I wonder if God wants to help you look at it through a new perspective…maybe His perspective. I’d love to know your thoughts. Click on Renee’s blog at Proverbs31.org.

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She Hears You

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Renee Swope

My friend was standing in front of the mirror telling her husband how fat and ugly she felt. Then she noticed her daughter was in the room!

Hi, I’m Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Heidi’s husband pulled her aside and asked her to stop being so critical of herself. He told her how beautiful she is and challenged her to think about the fact that her daughter’s watching and listening. When she hears her mom being critical of herself and questioning her husband’s affirmations, she learns that it’s normal to say those things to herself. And she might even start doubting when her daddy compliments her, too.

I was so challenged when she told me this. Heidi and I both decided we need to stop being so hard on ourselves and start trying to see ourselves the way God sees us. We need to stop focusing on our flaws and hopefully teach our daughters to do the same.

I’d love to know your thoughts on this, share them on Renee’s blog when you visit Proverbs 31 Ministries at Proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:

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Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

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