Courage Archives - Holley Gerth

Round-Up of Helpful Resources: A Few of YOUR Favorite Things…

Hey there, I notice you and I’m paying attention. I’m listening so I can hear what you love. I want to do everything I can to help you embrace who you are and become all you’re created to be. So here’s a list of what you’ve said is most helpful…

Your Favorite Post Ever: 7 Ways to Love an Introvert

In ten years of blogging no other post even comes close to being this loved. And, good news, I’m going to be writing a lot more for and about introverts! When I did a survey here I discovered about 75% of you are introverts—much higher than the percentage in the general population. I am too (INFJ). And even if you’re not an introvert, you likely love, lead or share life with one so the content will be helpful to you too. I believe being an introvert isn’t a struggle, it’s a superpower. Let’s find your cape. Never miss a post: Click here to subscribe.

Your Favorite Books

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days
I got this for a friend who was going through a hard time and she loved it too. No matter what you’re going through this book is one you’ll keep and read often. I read through it twice and still pick it up when I’m facing a hard day. – Judith (Already read it? Try my newest devo: Hope Your Heart Needs)

You’re Already Amazing
I’m the leader of a bible study group of about 20 women (ages 20’s – 70’s) and we did this as a study. This was our first encounter with Holley Gerth and her books. This is a fantastic study for any age group of women who want to grow in their relationship with God by understanding His TRUTH, learning about who you are, God’s plan for your life, and discovering where and how you can serve in the Body of Christ/the Church. You will be amazed as you discover how amazing God made you! – Teri (You made this book a Wall Street Journal bestseller. Thank you!)

Fiercehearted
This book is, quite possibly, the most powerful book I’ve read. The impact on my life and thoughts has been monumental. I know I’ll reread this many, many times. – Marie

Your Favorite Graphic

What I Hope Will Be Your New Favorite

I’m launching a podcast called More than Small Talk with my dear friends and fellow writers Suzanne Eller and Jennifer Watson in partnership with KLRC. The first episode is already available! You can find it on KLRC or your favorite podcast app. Click on the following links for iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and TuneIn.

New to podcasts? Here’s a guide for how you can listen.

If you love the podcast it would be a huge gift and help more people find it if you’ll subscribe and leave a review. Thank you!

I’d Love to Hear from You

Also, I’ve passed off the Let’s Have Coffee link-up to Sue from Welcome Heart. So if you’re looking for that you can find it on her site.

What are some other favorite resources of yours? What’s going on in your life right now and how can I be helpful to you here? You can let me know by leaving a comment.

I’m so grateful for you and I truly believe the best is yet to be for us. Looking forward to what’s ahead! Let’s stay in touch.

XOXO
Holley Gerth

Let’s Welcome the New Year with Hope (Here’s Why We Can)

by Holley Leave a Comment

The airport is crowded this morning. As I wait for my flight I watch the parade of people. Disgruntled teenagers with caps pulled down over their eyes trailing behind determined parents. Bright-eyed couples holding hands with the honeymoon sun still on their faces. A group of grey-headed ladies in pink matching t-shirts laughing and exchanging stories while they sip coffee. I wonder about all of them. Where have they come from? Where are they going?

I realize all over again in that moment God knows the answers. He sees every detail of our lives. He’s been with us in every step we’ve ever taken. And as we welcome a new year this reassures me. Because none of us knows what’s ahead. There are certain to be blessings and moments of happiness. There will also be hard days and tears shed. Some parts of our lives will stay much the same and others, like it or not, will inevitably change.

A blond little girl in pigtails walks by with a stuffed brown bear in her arms. Seeing her reminds me of the first time I flew by myself. I was only five years old when I marched up to the ticket counter with a little red suitcase in hand to tell the amused airline employee the plane needed to come so I could go see my Grandma. My parents observed from close by and made sure every bit of the trip was in order. These days I carry a leopard print laptop bag and I’ve flown away from my comfort zone many times. But on the inside that younger self and I still have much in common. We want to know we’re safe. We’re loved.

We’re going to be okay. That’s what gives us the courage to pick up our bag and go.

Psalm 121:8 says, “The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.” This is mysterious to me because difficult things happen, people get sick, and life doesn’t always work out the way I planned. But even if I don’t understand them fully these words offer hope because it means whatever may transpire God is still taking caring of me.

Today I’m sharing at (in)courage. Click here to continue reading the post…

And if you’d like more encouragement for the new year, you’ll find it in Hope Your Heart Needs: 52 Encouraging Reminders of How God Cares for You. Order your copy before midnight on December 31st, fill out this form, and you’ll also receive Hope for the Holidays, an exclusive, limited-time only ebook — for free!

If You’re Stressed or Weary, Worried or Hurried

by Holley 19 Comments

{my graphics are free goodies for you}

If you’re stressed or weary, worried or hurried today then this is an invitation for your soul…

I’ve been trying to begin a new habit of pausing for a few moments of silence before starting my day. After only thirty seconds my heart already feels like a racehorse at the gate, keyed up and impatient. The only words that seem to come to my mind are the to-do list waiting for me. The only feeling I can summon up is anxiety.

I thought, because I’m an introvert, this practice of a few moments of silence would be easy. But I’m finding this kind of time is more than an absence of noise, which I can handle and even welcome. Instead it’s an intentional choosing to be fully present to God. It’s about being quiet on the inside and this is much, much harder than turning down the volume on the television.

It’s very loud in my mind, you see. There are worries and fears, insecurities and uncertainties. I can generally calm this crowd of hecklers by doing something. But sitting in silence only makes them shout.

Yet as I stay on the edge of the bed it seems I begin to hear a deeper, clearer voice. Finally, this single phrase comes to the forefront of my mind: You are already loved.

Tears come to my mind because it is exactly what my soul needs to remember. Exactly.

I sit still and repeat it over and over.

No matter what you do or don’t do today…
You are already loved.
No matter how you might fail or fall…
You are already loved.
No matter what yesterday held or the future will bring…
You are already loved.

I finish my few minutes of silence and take that phrase with me through the rest of the day. When something on my to-do list goes undone, when my plans turn to chaos, when I feel a bit weary I say it again: You are already loved.

What does your heart need to hear today? Would you like to join me in starting a habit of a few minutes of silence?

1 – Choose a time and place. I picked sitting on the edge of my bed for about five minutes before I get up for the day.

2 – All kinds of thoughts will race through your mind. That’s okay and just part of the process. As each one comes, release it to God.

3 – As your mind gets quieter, ask God to speak the truth your heart needs to hear. (Note: Most of the time this will be Scripture so if you don’t hear anything just reflect on a verse you love. If it’s not Scripture, then what you hear should still align with what the Bible says. For example, I heard “You are already loved” which is a theme throughout God’s Word.)

Emily P. Freeman said, “When we sit in silence we may not be doing anything but we are undoing so much.” I have made a habit of hurry, of hustling for love and approval. I want to undo it. Maybe you would like to join me?

We are invited into God’s arms today.
We have worth beyond what we do.
We are already loved.

XOXO

Holley Gerth

p.s. If you want more peace in your heart and day, you’ll find it in Hope Your Heart Needs. This new devotional came out of quiet moments I spent with Jesus. Writing it changed my life and I believe reading it will change yours. I’m so excited to share it with you!

Hope Your Heart Needs officially releases September 18th but you can preorder it now. Here’s a free excerpt.

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You’re invited to join the “Let’s Have Coffee” link-up! Simply write a post that has the kind of encouragement you’d share with a friend over coffee (the link-up goes live at 5:30am CT every Wednesday, and you can view the Link-Up Guidelines here). Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.

After you link-up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked just before yours. Thanks, friends!

{Want to share a word of encouragement on Twitter? Click this link and then tweet!}

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I’m Done Running Away from What Scares Me (You Can Be Too)

by Holley 24 Comments

I’m driving home from lunch with a new friend, replaying the conversation. Fear makes my breathing shallow, my heartbeat fast. What if she doesn’t like me? What if I came across all wrong? I often have moments like this when anxiety gets the best of me and I want to retreat from the whole world.

But this time I pray, “Jesus, help me. I don’t understand why I act this way. I want to be free.” A simple declaration comes to my heart: I am done running away. From now on, I am running toward.

{my graphics are free goodies for you}

I don’t even fully understand what this means but I put on my tennis shoes when I get home. I walk out the door and onto the trail behind our house. I turn on my favorite music and run like my life depends on it. No more, no more, no more, I say with every step.

I think of all I have run away from…how fear has chased me and people-pleasing has set my pace, how anxiety has nipped at my heels like a rogue chihuahua, how the lies have worn me out.

I am done.

I will no longer be a woman who’s defined by what she’s running from.

I am going to run toward grace. I am going to run toward love. I am going to run toward the wild dreams that beckon me in the distance. I am going to run toward boldness and freedom and holy confidence. I am going to run toward Jesus.

I finish, sweaty and spent on the outside, strong and roaring on the inside. I don’t know everything this new perspective means, what exactly I have done. But it feels like something dark and destructive challenged me to a race today.

And I won.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
{Hebrews 12:1}

XOXO
Holley Gerth

P.S. Will you join me in the journey of living as a fiercehearted woman? Let’s live fully and love bravely — together.

P.S.S. Just so you know, this post includes affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I only share what I believe will be truly helpful. Thanks for your support in this way!

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After you link-up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked just before yours. Thanks, friends!

{Want to share a word of encouragement on Twitter? Click this link and then tweet!}

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It’s Okay If We Don’t Have It All Figured Out

by Holley 25 Comments

When I drive I often become lost in thought, which tends to lead to being lost in my car. The other evening I got off on the wrong exit. No big deal, I told myself, I’ll just turn on this random road. It looks like it goes north. (Never mind that my brain thinks whatever direction I’m facing is north.)

Needless to say, this road did not take me home. Instead it took me into scary places where no one had bothered to put street lights. I was sure Big Foot was going to appear. I heard wolves howling (or they could have been chihuahuas—it didn’t matter at this point). I hit potholes the size of the Grand Canyon. I prayed relentlessly, “Help me, Jesus” because I was sure I would soon meet Him face-to-face.

Then, suddenly, I saw a stoplight. When I pulled up to it, sweaty, exhausted and grateful to be alive, I realized it was the exact same spot where I had taken the original wrong turn. I had, in effect, driven in a square right back to where I started. It had been five minutes. At this point I turned myself over to the GPS, whose voice guided me the rest of the way without further incident.

{my graphics are free goodies for you}

Once the danger had passed I thought of these words from Proverbs 3:5-6 (because everything in my life seems to turn into some sort of spiritual analogy): Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.

It’s the “don’t depend on your own understanding” part that’s hard for me. Because sometimes I just know that I’m right, that I have it all figured out, that I’m heading “north” in whatever decision I’m making. But so often I find myself on a back road where I don’t belong, scared out of my wits and just hoping I’m not about to be abducted by aliens.

When I don’t know where I’m headed in the next moment or day or year I feel stressed and anxious and slightly guilty. I feel like I have to guess or just do my best rather than relying on something outside myself, like the GPS in my car or the Spirit of God within me. I’m in a season that feels this way. And I have been freaking out because of it. Just this morning a friend said to me, “Maybe you’re not supposed to figure this out.” My whole soul sighed in relief at those words.

So just in case you’re wired a bit like me (or love someone who is) let’s tell ourselves all over again: We don’t have to figure everything out on our own.

True confession: Living this way doesn’t feel like “north” to me yet. It feels scary and awkward and as if I’m losing control. But I’m slowly discovering it’s actually what I want and need most. Trust, not trying hard, is what leads me into peace and rest and even joy. It’s the only way home for my wandering, worrying heart.

XOXO
Holley

P.S. If you need a little dose of encouragement each morning (I know I do!), I wrote this for you.

P.P.S. Are you on Instagram? If so, I’d love to connect with you there.

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You’re invited to join the “Let’s Have Coffee” link up! Simply write a post that has the kind of encouragement you’d share with a friend over coffee and then add it here (the link up goes live at 5:30am CT every Wednesday). Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.

When you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!

{Want to share a word of encouragement on Twitter? Click this link and then tweet!}

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