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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Even through divorce, I am an overcomer.
It has taken me 4 years to climb up out of the pit I was thrown into but I’m climbing. God IS faithful. He never left me. He held me while I kicked and screamed through the process. Who am I that He should love me so.
I love God’s promises !!
I really need to win this book.
My husband attempted suicide.
I find God challenging me to take Him at His word and believe who and what He says He is or will provide. His word is powerful and says He will never leave me nor forsake me. So why do I fear
In all these things, even in __going from two income home to one, even in watching husband go through surgery and be in pain still, even through seeing my children unhappy because Mommy is VERY unhappy___ (the answer you just gave), I am more than a conqueror through him who loved me.
Clinical depression that has plagued me for more than 20 years. It is something that is not easy to share with people like you do with a physical illness, but it hurts so bad!
Thank you for the encouragement. Life has had its share of trials, but it is good to know that I am how God defines me, not how my circumstances make me feel.
I have some very scary and at the same time amazing changes coming in he next several months. My mom and dad who helped me through a messy divorce and let me and my then small children stay with them for 8 years. My father is my pastor of my church also. He and my mother who have lived 3 block from me after I got remarried, told the church that he is retiring and he and my mom, are moving half way across the country in June. In the mean time the church voted to call my husband to be the pastor when my dad leaves. It is not gonna be easy to let them go, but as the days get closer….. I see so many awesome opportunities heading our way. This book sounds like something that might speak to my heart thru this time. And that I can share with some of the ladies in my church.
I definitely need to read this book.
Renee, I have been following Holley’s blog for quite some time and am excited about her book! Having lost two of my students last year and supporting my daughter in the care of my grandson, Andrew, also one of my medically fragile students and continuing my community work, I often struggle with the daily emotional issues that I face. This book is a must read for me!
I need to trust God in everything especially in finances!!!!! I have been a Christian along time but I have to give everything to God instead of me trying to work some of it out on my own!!!
I have come to realize that I need god in my life more then eve know. Being a single mother to a 5 yr old son ishd work sometimes. Being in a depressed mood all the time and thinking of killing myself and sayinh certain things like not caring on what happens. But then I sit and realize if I do that my son will suffer more.
Definitely dpoke to me! Would love to win the book!
In all these things, even in the death of my husband three and a half weeks ago, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
In all these things, even in depression, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
Wow, I actually have that statement posted by my computer so I can look at it every day and remember that even though things are difficult right now, He is still with me and seeing me through the rough parts! Thanks.
In all these things, even in my insecurities from abusive relationships and marriage, lack of self worth and self condemnation, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me!! God bless, strengthen, protect and guide each women who reads this life saving blog, and book. May she know how truly beloved of God she is and come to embrace God’s truth He alone defines her, He will never leave or forsake her and He loves her with an everlasting and sincere love. Love and hugs to all <3
Working on getting the inside to match the outside. Years of childhood sexual abuse left a mask that’s been hard to let go of. I’ve finally started prayer counseling. I’m learning to give every second of my past to God step by step. It’s a process & I’m starting to find peace. I know I’m going to be OK.
When GOD told me I was going to go through a valley something like 7 years ago, I thought okay… Little did I know how long, how dark and how lonely that valley would be. It was and is an invisible valley – no one else knew what I was going through. My husband knew about it but has never gone through it. The kids didn’t/don’t get it and, therefore, don’t understand the toll it’s taken on me.
The deepest, darkest part is over, I believe, but there are days I’m back there all over again. There are still valleys. I’m just at a point of not knowing how to proceed, so I wait for GOD to tell what to do.