As part of the Summer inspiration Series with publisher David C Cook and Esther Press, Stephanie welcomes Amanda Pittman to Gospel Spice today to discuss our identity in Christ and how to stand in confidence through the trials of life. We discuss standing strong in God, in humility and truth. Amanda says, "the moment we think we are self-strong, we are in danger." How true!

Women are bombarded with narratives about how they should look, behave and live. Relentless and opposing expectations pour 24/7 from social media feeds, entertainment, and peer groups. No woman could possibly meet all these shifting expectations, yet many pour endless energy into the pursuit. And eventually insecurity sets in as she questions everything about herself, including her own worth.

Amanda Pittman, author of Stand in Confidence: From Sinking in Insecurity to Rising in Your God-Given Identity (September 6, 2022), has spent her adult life confronting our culture’s epidemic of insecurity and self-doubt. In this new book, Amanda unpacks her own journey toward self-confidence rooted in Christ. She offers readers concrete tools for moving forward into wholeness, confidence and God-given purpose.

“Society has conditioned us to believe false narratives about who we’re supposed to be,” Amanda Pittman explains. “But the rules are always changing, and insecurity drives us to people-please, downplay, settle, and perform. Rather than standing confidently in our identity as daughters of God and co-heirs with Christ, we sink in insecurity. Isn’t it time to live in freedom instead?”

Stand in Confidence challenges false narratives and offers the tools needed to write a new story. Drawing on her own story of leaving insecurity behind, Amanda Pittman helps readers apply the Four Components of Confidence to their lives:

• Clarity – Embrace their identity and define their design

• Connection – Connect with God and connect with others

• Competency – Develop their ability and expand their capacity

• Conviction – Know their responsibility and use their authority

Amanda openly recounts how insecurity kept her in relationships she never should have entertained and kept her away from opportunities she should have explored. She describes how difficult it was to exit a highly dysfunctional relationship with her high school boyfriend – and how the unhealth of that longtime relationship convinced her that love was transactional. It took time to restore Amanda’s view of herself, reconstruct her view of God, and renew her view of love. But even as she was still recovering and growing, Amanda found an honest, loving relationship with Michael Pittman (now her husband).

MORE ABOUT AMANDA PITTMAN

Amanda and Michael began sharing their faith and relationship journey via YouTube and social media, and thousands of followers responded enthusiastically to their honest posts. Amanda founded Confident Woman Co. to help women establish their confidence in Christ. Today the ministry offers faith-based content, products, curriculum, retreats, conferences, podcasts, and courses – all designed to empower women to live boldly and confidently for Christ.

“Being confident in Christ doesn’t mean that you’ll never feel moments of insecurity,” Amanda explains in her new book. “Your confidence will be demonstrated not in whether those negative feelings arise, but in how you respond when they do.”

Stand in Confidence will be the first title published under the Esther Press imprint (David C Cook), which equips women to walk courageously in the light of God’s truth. Marketing plans for this title include national publicity and advertising campaigns.

Amanda Pittman is a wife and mother, author, speaker, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Confident Woman Co., a ministry that equips women to stand confidently upon the finished work of Jesus. Through Confident Woman Co., Amanda hosts retreats, conferences, online events, podcasts, videos and more. She is the author of four books including Stand in Confidence (Sept. 2022). Amanda and Michael Pittman live in Dallas with their children Elijah and Lily.

IG: amandapittman

YouTube: AmandaPittman

Podcast: Confident Woman

MORE ABOUT DAVID C COOK AND ESTHER PRESS

Esther Press, an imprint of David C Cook, publishes biblical resources by and for courageous women. With a focus on transformation, Esther Press encourages and equips women to walk courageously in the light of God’s truth for such a time as this. Esther Press partners with ministries around the world to equip, encourage, and disciple women. Learn more at www.estherpress.com.

David C Cook is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping the global church with leadership, discipleship, and worship resources to help Christians grow in faith and pass it along to the next generation. Read more about David C Cook and its global ministry outreach at www.davidccook.org.

We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Or, of course, you can start at the beginning with episode 1. 

Season 1: the gospel of Matthew like you've never experienced it

Season 2: Experience Jesus through the Psalms

Season 3: the gospel of Luke, faith in action

Season 4: Proverbs spiced with wisdom

Season 5: Identity in the battle | Ephesians

Season 6: Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

Season 7: Shades of Red | Against human oppression

Season 8: God's glory, our delight | 

 

We invite you to enjoy a Christ-centered summer by experiencing Jesus through the lens of the body of Christ. We bring you a diversity of viewpoints on several issues, and invite you to discover Jesus through their own journey with Him.

Our Summer series invite you to ponder important topics for daily living. Stephanie and her occasional guests tell us about the importance of our definition of success, the key elements of leadership roles, the traps of comparison, the importance of theology, and much more! These stand-along episodes are meant to encourage you and challenge you to experience deeper fruitfulness in your various roles and ministries, in all the relationships and areas of your life. The topics we discuss are eternal and apply to both genders, across time and space and culture and age. So, join us for deep conversations with inspiring Christ-followers, conversations that will flavor your summer with the Gospel.