Demi-Leigh Tebow Helps Women Walk Boldly in God’s Truth

LIFE AS A NEW MOTHER

“It’s been the sweetest 11 weeks,” Demi says of her time as a new mom since daughter Daphne was born in early July.  “It’s a love I’ve never experienced before, the kind you only experience when you hold that baby in your arms.”  She also admits to nights with little sleep and feeling like she’s running on fumes.  “There are so many things to take care of – it’s really a big responsibility, but one that I gladly take,” she adds. 

In terms of her expanded identity as a mother, Demi says it’s easy to get wrapped up in being a mom, and so important to keep perspective.  She says she constantly reminds herself not to place her worth in life circumstances, which are ever-changing.  

Motherhood has increased her dependence on the Lord for strength and wisdom, Demi says.  Also, when she looks at her daughter, she says she thinks more of how God must look at us, seeing all our weakness, but loving us far beyond our ability to comprehend.  

THE MATTER OF IDENTITY

Demi notes the word identity can mean different things, but is primarily about how we see ourselves as people.   “The problem with rooting our identity in our circumstances and relationships is that they are ever-changing, leading to a roller coaster of emotions influenced by low self-esteem, unanswered questions, and insecurities,” she says.  “I’ve learned that if I want lasting confidence in my identity, I’m going to have to root it in something bigger than myself, something fixed, never changing, and always trustworthy.  We weren’t meant to be chasing after false praise, shallow security, or selfish pursuits.  We were made for much more.  God created us for His purposes, not our own,” she asserts.  “I’ve heard it said, ‘To love God is to serve God, and to serve God is to serve others.’  Our life’s greatest goal should be a relationship with the One who created us.  To be loved and fully known by Him.”  Demi directs us to seek and find our identities in who God says we are, which includes: His royalty/heirs (Romans 8:17), His masterpiece in Christ (Ephesians 2:10), the crown of creation (Psalm 8:5), and wonderfully and fearfully made (Psalm 139:14).  

FITTING IN VERSUS BELONGING 

Demi acknowledges that while God has made each of us unique individuals, we all have a strong desire to fit in with others as well.  Whether in the teen or college years, or any other season of life, that desire is normal, but can quickly become unhealthy, she says.  “Why do we desire social approval so much?”  Demi believes it’s because we have a deep-seated need to belong.  “We need to realize that ‘fitting in’ and ‘belonging’ are two very different things,” she points out.  “’Fitting in’ is rooted in fear.  It focuses on the question, What are people going to think?  And this question leads to our endlessly working for approval and never feeling safe from sudden shifts in public opinion.  This is what the world offers us.”

“Belonging is to be fully known and loved,” Demi explains.  “Not only known on our good days and for our good qualities but also for all our imperfections and faults – and still being loved regardless.  Personally, I believe that belonging feels a lot like being loved by God.”  She offers a number of Bible verses to retrain our thinking on belonging, including Romans 5:8 and Psalm 139:1-2.  “Because we are fully known and loved by the Creator of everything, we don’t need to try to fit in with anyone else.  We belong to the One whose opinion matters most!”  She also quotes the late Tim Keller, well-known author and former pastor of Redeemer Church in NYC.  “Tim Keller said it best: ‘To be loved but not known is comforting and superficial.  To be known and not loved is our greatest fear.’  God, however, is unique.  He consistently knows and loves you – not your perception of you, but the real you,” Demi exhorts.  

COMPARISON AND INSECURITY

“When are you reminded of your frailties and flaws?  Is it when you compare yourself or your life to others?” she asks.  Most women fall into the trap of comparing themselves to others, especially in areas where they already feel insecure, Demi notes.  This tendency is only exacerbated by the prevalence of social media at our fingertips.  “Our spirits often sag when we observe other women who seemingly have it all – and have it all together.  Well, there’s good news.  It’s right there, in the moment you feel the furthest from being the strong and confident woman God created you to be, that God whispers a perfect promise in your heart: His power is made perfect in your weakness.”  She offers three ways of letting God’s strength shine through our faults and failings:

• Embrace your imperfections.  “Whether you’re wrestling with insecurity, decision paralysis, or a heartache that just won’t heal, bring it to Him.  It’s the first step in moving from your strength to His.”  

• Share in the safety of community.  “God didn’t design us to walk through this life alone.  When we open up about our weaknesses, we’re not only unburdening ourselves; we’re giving others permission to do the same.”

• Depend daily on God.  “Let’s start each day not by picking up our phones or tackling our to-do list but with a prayer that places our weaknesses into God’s hands and asks for His strength to be evident.”     

LIES AND SHAME 

Demi knows from her own experience, as well as the admission of countless other women, that when we believe lies about ourselves it feeds into shame.  She likes the definition of shame given by author and professor Brenè Brown: “The intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.”  Demi adds, “Shame thrives in the space between who we are and who we think we should be.  It’s fed by comparison, criticism, and the hidden wounds of our stories.”  

Two of the lies that result in shame, Demi says, are believing false guilt, and that we can’t be forgiven.  While there is actual guilt for sinful actions, shame goes further.  “Shame can also appear when we’ve done nothing wrong, like when we feel guilty about not measuring up or when someone convinces us that something is our fault.  And if we’re not careful, we start to believe the lie that shame is just something we must live with.  No matter what you’ve done, no matter how long you’ve been doing it, God forgives.  Remember, shame and conviction are not the same.  Conviction comes from God; shame does not,” she emphasizes.    

Demi offers us hope to handle lies and shame.  “If it’s not tied to unconfessed sin, it doesn’t belong (in our hearts).  When shame starts whispering lies, speak God’s promises out loud.  Because the enemy wants you stuck in shame, but God wants you walking in freedom.”  She points to Romans 8:1 as one excellent promise: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Next, she exhorts us not to distance ourselves from God when we experience shame.  “In God, you are not meant to be hidden in shadows but transformed in light.  So, friend, stop running.  Turn toward the One who has been pursuing you all along and find rest in His relentless grace.”  

MAIN IDEA

Demi hopes that all who spend time in her devotional come to understand that the truths of Scripture change the way we think and live.  We don’t have to strive, she emphasizes, because we are already enough!
 

For more information on Demi-Leigh Tebow or to purchase her latest book Knowing Who You Are Because of Who God Is click the LINK!  

CREDITS

Author, Knowing Who You Are Because of Who God Is (Thomas Nelson, 2025) / Co-founder, The Tebow Group, a ministry committed to four goals: ending human trafficking and child exploitation, providing orphan care and prevention, helping those with profound medical needs, coming alongside those with special needs / entrepreneur, supporting businesses with ethical practices and use their platforms for good, e.g. 153 Jewelry / keynote speaker / Founder, #Unbreakable Campaign, which educates, uplifts, and empowers women in dangerous situations / Miss South Africa, 2017 / Miss Universe, 2017 / Graduate, North-West University, B.S. in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, 2017 / married to ESPN SEC Nation analyst, former NFL and MLB player, and philanthropist, Tim Tebow; new mother to Daphne; three dogs, Chunk, Paris, and Kobe