Holley Gerth

Embrace Who You Are, Become All You're Created to Be

You Don’t Have to Be “Enough”

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We’re much more than pretty, we are wonderfully made. We’re much more than likeable, we are deeply loved. We’re much more than okay, we are daughters of the King.

“Lord,” I asked, “why do women feel as if they’re not enough?” It seemed I heard a whisper in response: “Because they’re not.” For a moment I thought I had some holy static happening.

“Excuse me, God, it sounded like You said we’re not enough. Could You repeat that, pretty please?”

Again, gently and firmly, “They are not enough.”

By then I started thinking perhaps my heart had dialed the wrong number and the devil was on the line. But in that pause it seemed God finished the sentence: “They are not enough . . . in Me they are so much more.”

As women, we’re much more than pretty . . . we are wonderfully made.

We’re much more than likeable . . . we are deeply loved.

We’re much more than okay . . . we are daughters of the King.

I think the enemy tricks us into believing we are not enough because he knows if we discover the truth, we’ll be unstoppable.

We’re chosen, cherished, created women who have all we need to fulfill God’s plans for our lives, and He has made us just as He wants us to be.

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The words above are from You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be. The title of today’s More than Small Talk podcast episode is When Your “But” Gets In The Way. Click here to listen in!

There’s No Such Thing as Competition

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In God’s Kingdom, there’s no such thing as competition.

We’re all running a race, but not the kind you might imagine. We don’t have the same starting line, the same distance to go, or the same steps to take.

Our finish lines are even in different places. We’re not running on a track—we’re each running on our own one-lane path.

In God’s Kingdom, there’s no such thing as competition. It’s impossible. Because no one else ever has or ever will run your race. Your journey is about you and Jesus. No one else.

He is not holding a stopwatch. He is not telling you to push harder. He is inviting you to move at the pace you’re created for, to simply stay in step with Him. You will not fall behind. You will not move too slow. Keep your eyes off the other runners and fix them on the One who has invited You to this adventure with Him.

Take your next step today, then another one tomorrow. Keep pressing forward. Let go of what’s behind. Be strong, brave, beautiful you all the way to the finish line.

Pray with me:

God, when we hear life is a race, it can sound like it’s all about winning and losing, about comparing and competing. But what You’re really inviting us into is an intimate adventure with You. It’s not about being the fastest but about being faithful. It’s not about beating anyone else but about matching the rhythm of our lives to the beating of Your heart. Help us to run with and for You every step until we’re Home. Amen.

MORE:

This past Monday, the Online Bible Study for Strong, Brave, Loved officially kicked off! The community in our group has been such an encouragement to me. If you haven’t joined, it’s not too late! Click here for all the info.

What’s one word you’d like to eliminate from your life this year? Everyone is chatting about their words for the year, but today on More than Small Talk, we’re discussing the words we’re leaving behind. Click here to listen.

You Really Are Making a Difference

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God, give us the courage to serve You faithfully in this generation and leave a legacy that will last for many more to come. Amen.

You are here for such a time as this. You are called to offer what God has placed within you to our world right here, right now. No one else will live the exact amount of time you will, in the place you will, with the people who God will have cross your path.

It’s tempting to say, “Oh, I’m not really needed.” But “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10). In other words, there are things in this world that only you can do.

For such a time as this… You’re changing diapers, tying the shoelaces of the future, growing the seeds of strong faith.

For such a time as this… You’re working in that office, speaking up in that meeting, doing what you do with excellence.

For such a time as this… You’re reaching out a helping hand, taking time to listen, brightening someone’s day.

For such a time as this… You are wherever you are, doing whatever you do, and it matters more than you know.

So keep it up.

You really are making a difference.

Pray with me:

God, You are Lord of the past, present, and future. You hold all of history and what will yet be in Your hands. You have placed us right here, right now, for such a time as this. Our lives are not accidents but divinely created appointments. Give us the courage to serve You faithfully in this generation and leave a legacy that will last for many more to come. Amen.

MORE:

We’re just a few days away from the start of my first Online Bible Study! Nearly 1,000 women have signed up and I can’t wait to begin. If you haven’t joined yet, there’s still time! Click here for all the info.

Today on More than Small Talk, we’re chatting about what matters most and answering this confession question: How would you spend this year if you knew it were your last? (Because of life circumstances or Jesus coming back!) Click here to listen.

You’re Going to Make It Through

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Nothing is too much for you, because nothing you will ever face is bigger than the God who lives within you.

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. {Philippians 4:13}

Sometimes what’s in front of us seems impossible. The hill is too steep. The test is too hard. The diagnosis is too discouraging. But Jesus says to us, “Whatever I ask you to go through, I will give you the strength to do.”

When we’re weary, He’s our power.

When we’re afraid, He’s our courage.

When we’re uncertain, He’s our security.

After a difficult day I woke in the night with one verse on my heart, “Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). I needed a reminder that the outcome isn’t based on what I can offer in my humanity. Instead, I can trust in the God who has promised to get me through whatever I may face. It is not my strength that matters—it’s His strength flowing through me by the power of His Spirit.

Nothing is too much for us, because nothing we will ever face is bigger than the God who lives within us. He already knows what we’re going to face today. And He’s already promised us we’re going to beat it—no matter what.

XOXO,
Holley

MORE:

On today’s podcast episode, we share difficult news… Suzie has cancer. Would you listen in and pray for her? I know she would be so grateful for your prayers!

P.S. You’re invited! In a few weeks, my *free* Online Bible Study begins! There will be exclusive gifts and giveaways just for members. Click here for more information and to get on the Waiting List. Feel free to invite your friends to join us!

Your Work Doesn’t Determine Your Worth

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Just because something doesn’t have tangible results doesn’t mean it doesn’t have eternal impact.

The laundry is still unfolded, the emails unanswered, the to-do list undone. I sigh and ask, “Have I been productive at all today?”

Anxiety and accusations are the only response. So I pray, “God, what lie am I believing? And what’s the truth that replaces it?” This is a new habit I’m practicing. It’s uncomfortable and hard.

Yet in that quiet moment it seems my heart hears a reassuring whisper…

Life isn’t about being productive. It’s about being purposeful.

I’ve often believed the lie that God’s first priority is what I can produce: a basket of neatly folded laundry, a dozen email responses, a to-do list with check marks. But the truth is there are things that matter just as much or more. Like feeding my granddaughter waffles while she giggles in her high chair, going for a walk with my husband, brainstorming an idea that may never turn into anything.

Just because something doesn’t have tangible results doesn’t mean it doesn’t have eternal impact.

I’m no longer going to ask myself, “Have I been productive today?” Instead I’m going to ask, “Have I been purposeful?” To me that simply means living in love. Sometimes love looks like laundry and answering email and checking off what’s on my list. Those are good and worthy things. But often it looks like the exact opposite, like we’ve done “nothing” at all. And that’s okay too.

Our work doesn’t determine our worth. Our accomplishments don’t earn us God’s acceptance. Our value isn’t validated by our hustle. We are already and always loved. 

Whew. I needed to remember that today. You too? Now I’ve got some laundry to do…

XOXO,
Holley

Strong, Brave, Loved by Holley GerthYou’re invited! Join me this January for a *free* Online Bible Study! There will be exclusive gifts and giveaways just for members. I would love to walk with you through Strong, Brave, Loved: Empowering Reminders of Who You Really Are. Get on the Waiting List for the Online Bible Study here, and feel free to invite your friends to join us.

On today’s episode of More than Small Talk, we’re chatting about common challenges this time of year and how to prepare for them so we can have less stress and more joy. Listen to Episode 49: Hustle-Less Holidays here.

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