Hope/Encouragement Archives

If You’re Wondering Where God Is…

When something difficult happens, it’s easy to wonder, “Where are You, God?” And His answer is always the same: “I’m with you.” Sometimes He makes His presence known through the hands and feet of people in our lives. Sometimes He quietly whispers to our hearts. Sometimes He works through circumstances to let us know we’re not alone.

Why does God do this? The answer in Psalm 18:19 seems downright scandalous. David says, “He rescued me because he delighted in me.” Yet when bad things happen in our lives, one of the first assumptions we often make is that God must be really upset with us.

The enemy would love to persuade you that God is against you. He would love for you to become convinced that you don’t have God’s support. He would love to make you believe that you’ve fallen beyond God’s ability to hold you up.

Will you pause for a moment and reject those lies? We live in a fallen, broken world, and we all face difficulties. That doesn’t mean we’re being punished. Jesus lived an absolutely perfect life, and yet He was still “a man of suffering and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3). None of us gets to go through life without hard times. That doesn’t say anything about you except this: you’re human.

God knows that as humans we’re weak and frail. He knows we need help. He wants to offer that to us. Yet it’s up to us to receive it. And if we think He’s mad at us, then that’s a lot harder to do.

Perhaps it’s time to shift your perspective to align with what’s really true.

God isn’t disappointed in you.

He wants to delight in you.

And He will give you the support you need.

XOXO
Holley Gerth

This post is an excerpt from my devotional, What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days: 52 Encouraging Truths to Hold On To. Each of the 52 devotions based on the Psalms will help weary women remember that God is faithful, we’re all in this together and there’s a good plan for our lives.

For more encouragement, listen to Episode 37 of More Than Small Talk: Longing to Belong. Today with our guest Kristen Strong, we talk about what true belonging means and where we can find it. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong, this episode is for you.

Never Place a Period Where God Has Placed a Comma

by Holley

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother [Lazarus] would not have died” (John 11:32).

Jesus doesn’t offer answers to these broken-hearted words from His dear friend Mary. He doesn’t try to dry her tears. He doesn’t spout off a spiritual cliché even though He knows Lazarus will soon be raised from the dead.

Instead He grieves along with Mary. The tears of a compassionate listener. The tears of a tender God. The tears of someone who understands the ache of this world. Then He asks a simple question: “Where have you laid him?” (John 11:33). He asks us where our hurt is too. He has not forgotten us. He will not leave us alone when we’re in need. He’s willing to go with us to the places of our pain. He doesn’t fear what He might find. He isn’t shocked by our emotions, questions, or even doubts.

Jesus grieves with us and then He gives us hope. He does come. And He does see. With eyes that stretch beyond humanity and into eternity. Whether in this life or the next, He promises to tenderly, powerfully transform our stories in ways beyond what we may even have dared to hope.

XOXO,

Holley

Has a friend walked with you through a difficult season? Share Episode 36 of More than Small Talk with her!

Find more encouragement like this post in my devotional, Do You Know You’re Already Amazing?. Inside are thirty truths from stories of women in the Bible, and each one will help set your heart free.

You’re not the only one…

by Holley

This week let’s remember we’re all broken. Beautiful. In need of grace. Glory reflectors. The paradox people. You’re not the only one…

Struggling with the same old issues.

Shattered by hard news.

Worried no one will like you.

Wondering if God is still listening.

In desperate need of a night away from dirty laundry and loud children.

“You’re not the only one” has another reassuring meaning too. “You’re not the Only One.” In other words, we’re not God. We don’t have to save the world. We don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to take care of everything and everyone all the time. The Only One who can do the impossible is with us and for us now.

Whew, maybe you needed that reminder today too?

Cheering you on,

Holley

MORE

– Find more encouragement like this post in Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely.

– Listen to Episode 35 of More than Small Talk: What’s Next? If you’re facing a decision or transition Jennifer, Suzie and I will help you walk through it. Here’s a 30 second preview…

7 Truths to Help You Handle Change

by Holley

Kristen Strong says, “Change is a part of each person’s story as assuredly as the sun is a part of each new sunrise.” In this season of weddings, baby showers and back to school I’ve been thinking of what helps when we face change. These are truths I find myself needing to come back to, I hope they encourage you too.

7 Truths to Help You Handle Change

Change can be stressful, even if you want it.

According to research, positive changes like getting married and negative ones like losing your job both cause stress. Whether the change you’re facing is welcome or unwanted, remember to take care of yourself.

Change sometimes involves grief.

I’ve had counseling clients say, “I really wanted this change but I miss my old life sometimes. Does that mean I’m not grateful?” Grief is a healthy part of the change process. It means you’re letting go of the past and and committing to the future.

Change also involves joy.

If you’ve been waiting for this change, take time to celebrate. If you didn’t want this change, take comfort in God’s promise that the hurt won’t last forever. “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Change alters your circumstances but not your identity.

Circumstances are your location in life, not the place where you get your worth. Roles don’t define you; they’re assignments for a season. God alone determines your identity and destiny.

Change doesn’t diminish your value.

You may think something like, “now I’m not needed as much” but that isn’t true. You’re still God’s creation and part of His plan. Your value isn’t based on what you do but Who you belong to.

Change isn’t new for you, even if it feels like it is.

From the moment you were born you’ve experienced change. That’s easy to forget because every change eventually feels normal. You know how to handle change—you’ve been doing it all your life.

Change can’t change God.

No matter what happens, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He’ll get you through whatever you face, all of life’s ups and downs, the joys and sorrows. You’ll never be alone. You’ll always be loved.

Cheering you on,

Holley

– This post was inspired by Episode 33 of More than Small Talk: Who Am I Now? Here’s a 30 second preview.

– Knowing God stays the same brings comfort in change. Learn more about who He is and how He cares for you in Hope Your Heart Needs.

– The quote from Kristen is in her book Girl Meets Change, a book I believe every woman needs because of its inspiring and insightful message. Kristen is a true encourager and helpful guide who will lead you toward hope and a future one word at a time.

8 Reminders of Your Worth

by Holley

Worth is such a tender thing and it’s tempting to find something to place it in to keep it safe.

The container we choose for our worth might be a role like mom, wife or employee. We can put our worth into what others think of us. We can place it in our efforts, how hard we try or how much we can do.

But God alone is strong and secure enough to hold our worth forever.

He tells us who we really are and how much we’re truly loved, today and always.

8 Reminders of Your Worth (from Romans 8)

You are…
free from condemnation (8:1)
right with God (8:11)
His child (8:15)
an heir of glory (8:17)
part of God’s work (8:28)
chosen (8:33)
an overcomer (8:37)
always loved (8:38-39)

Who do you want to remind of her worth today?

More Encouragement

You’ll find over 50 life-changing truths about your worth in What’s True About You.

In episode 31 of More than Small Talk we’re sharing about how we can defend the worth of our daughters, mamas, friends and sisters.