The Key to Confidence: Where to Go When You Feel You’re Not Enough

by Amber Albee Swenson

This isn’t a self-help book. And that’s a good thing.

Because when you need real help—to overcome feelings of worthlessness, fear, depression, or anxiety—your self is the last place you should look.

But God’s help . . . that’s a different story.

And in this book, you’ll discover how you can live with greater boldness and joy when you learn to find your confidence in Christ.

God didn’t make you to sit on the sidelines. And once you realize where your true confidence comes from, nothing will be able to hold you back!

182 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2025

Reviews

[Kayla Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ audiobook, but I’d give this more stars if I could! Read by the author and available for free as a “podcast” on Spotify (Little Things with Amber Albee Swenson, April 7, 2025; each chapter is separate and most are just 10-15 minutes).

Amber leads with Bible stories and passages, and supplements with her own personal stories and wonderful commentary. This book will make you take an honest look at your life, but that comes right alongside a heavy dose of Jesus’s grace. There is lots of Bible learning and also lots of super practical and immediately actionable tips.

I think literally anyone would get something out of this book, and the chapters could be read as standalones - here are the chapter titles to pique your interest! (Personally I was most reflective and encouraged by the prayers chapters 2-4 right now.)
1. Confident you can get past your past
2. Confident that prayer moves the hand of God
3. Confident that God isn’t bothered when you ask for little things
4. Confident you aren’t asking too much
5. Confident to put one foot in front of the other as God does the work
6. Confident God won’t fail even if you do
7. Confident that difficult people are no problem for God
8. Confident God works through your suffering
9. Confident you don’t need more
10. Confident your worry isn’t helping the situation
11. Confident you don’t have to be your own worst enemy anymore
12. Confident you are the one to get the job done
13. Confident God can see a future you can’t imagine

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books that you read that you can move quickly through, but this book wasn't one of them for me. Each chapter was something to digest and reflect with relevant bible passages. Thanks to Amber for providing reflection questions after each chapter. This would be a great book to do a small group with.

One of my favorite paragraphs was ,"The 'more' we want is only found in Christ. Emptiness continues to devour until it is satisfied in God. Then and only then do we find the peace that passes all understanding. We go to God empty, and he fills us up. We offer nothing. He gives us more than we knew we needed."

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The message of this book is our confidence is in our Lord God. In the preface the author states: “None of us will ever be enough, but God is more than enough for all of us.”
Sections of scripture show how God is able to provide so we can live a confident life in Him.
This book also challenges us to review how we think and act, to live a God-pleasing life to God’s glory and to be a blessing, to examine ourselves and make changes, and to grow closer to God by studying His Word.
Each chapter offers practical ideas and solid discussion and reflection questions.

[Clayton Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a self-help book! It is way better, and way different than any self-help book I have read. The author talks a lot about the things that people often use to gain confidence are ultimately empty and useless when compared to the confidence you can get knowing that you are a redeemed child of God. She offers very helpful ways to reframe the struggles that you are going through Into an eternal perspective.