Have you ever had a friend whose words felt like a hug? It is a rare jewel, but one I have found in my friend Holley. Last week she released a book I’ve been eagerly waiting for because I couldn’t wait to share it with you! I’ll share more of my thoughts about it, but first I wanted you to hear from Holley’s heart: 
Photo Credit: Sara Torbett
Her shoulders slump as she slides into a chair in my counseling office. Her eyes and face speak volumes before she ever says a word. “I feel defeated,” she whispers. I nod. It’s understandable. The battles she’s faced. The way she’s fought. The war waging in her world. I dare to smile just a bit and say, “You may have lost some skirmishes, but that’s not who you are. You’re still an overcomer.” She leans forward, smiles back, shakes a little of the tension off her shoulders. She looks stronger already. When we have a weak moment, a bad day, a tough year, the enemy of our souls taunts us. “You’ve lost,” he hisses. But that isn’t true. The reality is, we can’t lose. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Rom. 8:37) Oh, we get knocked around in this life. We have bumps and bruises. Even our Savior left this world with scars. But that doesn’t mean we’re defeated. This matters because it changes how we fight. Imagine being a soldier who’s going into battle. Your commander tells you, “We have already won. All you have to do today is go in there and obey my commands. Victory is sure.” You would fight with less fear and more faith, less hesitancy and more certainty, less regret and more intensity. This is what’s true of us. Even when the disease returns. Even when our spouse decides not to stay. Even when we relapse after promising we won’t ever again. I don’t say that lightly—oh, how those blows hurt. We ache. We feel the pain. We are human, and that is inescapable. Yet we don’t have to let our wounds define us. What happens to us is not who we are. Even in those moments and circumstances, our identity remains secure. What has happened to you that has made you feel defeated? Now add God’s perspective to your answer above. In all these things, even in ________________________________ (the answer you just gave), I am more than a conqueror through him who loved me. Defeat is not your destiny. What we are called to do is simply this: to stand {Eph. 6:10-17}. Not to conquer the world. Not to be the greatest warrior ever. Not to never feel weak or afraid. Just stand. Stand on God’s promises. Stand on faith. Stand on the hope that victory is sure. You have already won. You can’t be defeated by anything in this life or the next. You are an overcomer. XOXO Holley Gerth
On the back cover:If you need a friend to walk with you through the hard stuff in life, to cheer you on with encouragement, to help you find strength and joy in the midst of life’s difficulties – this book is for you! God writes love and assurance on the canvas of hearts through the hands of Holley Gerth.In each chapter you will learn how to hold onto hope, hold on to who you are and hold on to all God has promised – knowing and believing that no matter what, “You’re going to be okay!” ~Renee SwopeENTER TO WIN (This giveaway has ended, but I’d still love to hear from you!) a copy of Holly’s new book, “You’re Going to Be Okay” by clicking “Share Your Thoughts” under today’s post. You can share your heart or simply fill in the blank: In all these things, even in ________________________________, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me. {I’ll be praying over you by name today!}
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I have a friend who could really use this book and learn the truth that she is “More than a Conqueror” and “highly loved” in her marriage even as satan is trying to destroy it! Thank you ladies, I love you all! God bless you!
Jenny
As I was reading the words from Holley’s heart, my daughter’s beautiful face came to mind. She is walking a road that no mother wants for their child.
In all things, even in the stesses of work/home balance, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. It is so hard to be a working mother. I work full time and many weeks we work more than 40 hours. Then you are told to seperate your homelife from your work life. I can’t shut off part of my brain just any time and my family is always on my mind. I just thank God for loving me so much to help me conquer anything!!
In all things, even in my struggles in my marriage, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
Struggling to “get back up” from three year battle with family illness which has taken it toll on my own personal health, spiritual relationship with home church attendance and friends, family life and well being. I know that I know God is with me and I’m still standing only because God, my Heavenly Father is holding and keeping me. I want my parents and great-aunt to be here with me physically but know they are with me in my heart and God has gone before me and the battle is won, but physically I need a hug.
Wow, I wish I could be there to give you that hug! I pray God will send someone to do just that. I miss giving good hugs .Everyone at church would just feel Gods love when I would hug them but have such weak bones now, I have to be careful of not breaking anymore vertabrae. But, the time Will Come Again because God is a man that cannot lie. He has healed us of all our Pain. Bless you and you are in my prayers right now.
I have finally devided to resign my position at work for many medical issue I have been dealing
with for several years.(that was a hard desicion) I have struggled with. But now I have more time for church activites and most important for my family. I rest more so I feel better. I prayed a lot and God finally helped me make the decision.
In all these things, even in difficult job situations, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me
In all these things, even in this battle with food, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me. Everyday is a battle to eat the right food, make the right choices. Most days I fail. I know what I need to do but i give in to the cravings and regret the decision afterwards. I can lose 30 pounds but never keep it off. I am so tired of the battle that most times I give up and say this is the way God made me so why even try? I know in my head God didn’t make me this way I just try to make myself feel better I guess. Thanks for the encouraging devotion this morning. It was just what I needed to read. I pray all these thoughts that are shared are heard by our Lord and miracles start happening for each of you!
In all these things, even in my weaknesses/lack of confidence, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
After my husband passed away in 2005, I have been living in a fog. I had never been alone before. We got married right out of high school so I went from parents to a husband. I had never had to “do” things on my own. Even after 8 years I was in that “scared” state. Afraid that I wasn’t “doing it right”. Luckily I was helped along by someone who told me about your book “A Confident Heart”. I was truly amazed. It was like you were talking directly to me. I felt this giant weight lift off my shoulders. I am now a member of the “Overcomers Club”. I am filled with God-fidence. I can truly make it now. I am an Overcomer.
Thank you for these reminders! Even in the midst of dealing with family issues, I am clinging to the hope that I am not defeated and this is not the end of the story. God will and does fight the battle/s and thank you for reminding me to trust Him!
Overcoming my negative thoughts about myself or the situation I’m in. I’ve come s far in this but the enemy still tries to get a foothold and it’s so hard sometimes. I grew up having to be”perfect” in whatever I did and this created so much bondage and shaming and pressure on myself to live up to someone else’s expectations. I brought all that into adulthood and just over the past couple of years have I realized the impact it had on me. How I haven’t been the person God designed me to be. I’ve had to learn to accept myself for who I am, imperfections and all.
Even in this financial trial I believe God will direct me and guide me path
I’d love to give this book to a friend. This post gave me some words of encouragement to share with her. Thanks so much!
In all these things, even in my health, I am more than a conqueror. For the past year I’ve been going to a heart specialist because during pre-tests for rotor cuff surgery it was discovered I have enlarged heart, irregular heartbeat. They are monitoring to see if the size of my heart remains the same or continue to enlarge which will mean open heart surgery. I know by His stripes, I am healed! I am an overcomer!
In all these things, even in this job, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
In all these things, even in these family situations with my in-laws, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
In all these things, even in overcoming my anger with a husband who micro-manages everything, I am more than a conquerer through Him who loves me!!!!!!
Situation
In all things enemy in MONEY. I make good money but don’t have a cent. I overextended myself helping a family member. Now I an to the point I can’t pay my stuff. I feel so defeated and depressed.
Money is not our enemy. I understand how you can get down about being without. We are going thru the same thing right now. Just remember what God has done in the past . He dosen’t change. He will bring you through. We gave our son thousands of dollars to buy home and now he is blowing his money on ungodly things but I don’t regret giving it because I know that God wanted me to give. Please pray before you give anymore, sometimes we sow into bad soil if we do not seek Gods guidance. But He is faithful to restore. I would say don’t be upset anymore move on past this and try to work out a plan to pay what you can today and tomorrow do the same. Have faith, God will bring you through.
Thank you Mildred. Your words mean so much.
I am finally leaving my abusive marriage. Yesterday I went to look at possible places to live. I almost cried. The options for a woman who has been a stay at home mom for 15 years are very limited and extremely humble, if not kind of gross and dirty. I know I need to look at this as a half full and not half empty kind of situation. I know that God is leading me where I need to go. I know a house is just a house and I also know I am blessed that I get to have a home to live in. Somehow though, it can get discouraging. This post helps me remember what truly matters. I can clean and paint and create. This is just a battle, not the whole war. I need to fight through this overwhelming time and rest in the knowledge that through my faith, I am a winner.
Look at it as a brand new canvas and you get to create the picture. Not sure why I am responding to you. I could just hear the desperation in your post and thought you might need a little encouraging into stepping out on Faith and letting God be your guide. I applaud your strength to step out of your situation. Just know God does not intend for you to remain in a situation that is unsafe for you. I pray that as this situation unfolds God will be right there showing you little signs that you are doing the right thing. Lean on Him and and He will never steer you wrong. God bless You!
As I read your post I heard The Lord saying ” Be still and know that I am God’. This battle belongs to me stand and you will not have fight it!
I really applaud you for your precious, and strong thought. I have used “Be still and know that it is God” to calm my nerves, thoughts, and emotions. Try it—it works.
Reading your post took me back to six years ago when I was at the same place you are. I too left a 31 year marriage. I would not have made it through without the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit. God is still working on the restoration of my heart, but I know that I know I am conqueror. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit I am now thankful for the experience because God is preparing me and strengthen me for where he wants to take me. Trust me, it is not an easy journey, but I stand on God’s promises that he will never leave me nor forsake me because he is my provider. Keep trusting in God and stay strong. I will be praying for you. All God’s Blessing.
Shelly,
It takes courage to leave an abusive marriage I know because I too left mine just a few months ago. It is very painful when you love someone and you don’t want to leave but you do it for your well being. It is necessary and I too felt that God was opening a door for me and that was to leave and I took it. It is discouraging at times I have not caught up on my finances yet but GOD is good. HE has supplied all my needs. I had to refurnish completely my whole house. I may be alone but I am not lonely and I am finally at peace I can rest at night. Peace of mind is priceless. If you are in an abusive situation you know what I mean. You will be just fine lean on the Lord ( no matter what happens), he will strengthen you and get you through this difficult time. God bless you! I encourage you to seek out counseling when you move even if its a local church pastor. You need to heal through prayer, counseling and time.
I’m proud of you. I’m trying to find the way out of mine too. I’ve also been a stay at home mom for 14 years. May God have his hand securely on you, show you the way to go, and meet your needs.
You can do this! Yes it is overwhelming & will be a major adjustment. It will take time, but it is so worth it. I finally left (for the last time) 7 years ago. Still struggle with confidence, but even within a couple of years, had people who hadn’t known me when I was married, say they could tell a difference just in the time they had known me. It doesn’t pay much but Teacher’s Assistance is something you would definitely be qualified for. Look at what you have been doing at home (cooking, cleaning, “taxi service”, child care, etc.) and then see what paying jobs are available. It may not seem like much but you have made a huge step just by leaving. If you want to, you can contact me at [email protected]