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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In all these things, even when the storms of life rage, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
I find myself in a new job I thought would be the opportunity that I have been working towards for the past 25 years. I felt like God was opening up the doors for me to be here. I think he let me have this opportunity to really show me what is really important in life. That is, not what I want bit what he wants for me. I find myself overworked, stressed, having medical issues and getting depressed. My kids are not happy, my husband is not happy. I’m not happy. I have started to look for a new position but having done the same thing for 25 years and there aren’t any open positions anywhere near where I live, it’s scary having to start over again. Doing my best to put my faith in God that he will open up new opportunities for me.
Even with my husband of 9 years deciding our marriage is over I am MORE THAN a conqueror!
I know God is my armour, but when you are a single mom, and you have to make a decision to either buy groceries or pay the light bill. And you buy groceries and a week later they turn your lights off. Sometimes its like, i cant win in this world. Some of us re meant to struggle so we can call on Him for guidance. I feel thats the life for me.
This looks like a book I need to read. I love
The part about how even Jesus left this world
With scars. Very profound.
In all these things, even in dealing with my spouse having an affair and conceiving a child during the affair and keeping it hidden for almost 4 years, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me!!
Thank You JESUS!!!
I love the reference to the soldier and the commander. For some reason that really hit me today. I need to fight the battle by listening to God’s commands. Blessings everyone!
God never leaves us. No matter how awful, scary or hopeless, He is always there with us. I never felt so frightened and so loved as when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. God did not give him the cancer. But God held me up, placed wonderful people in my path. Doctors, nurses, teachers, daycare providers, anonymous church members who reached out, gave their all, their best. And always at the moment we needed it most. You are going to be ok. You are.
Even in uncertainty, loneliness, marital issues, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
Even in a break up I am more than a conqueror. I’d love to win a copy of this book!
God has used many hard circumstances in my life to refine me and grow me into a deeper dependence on Him. I feel like it is a recurring battle for me to CHOOSE to continue to seek Him and trust Him no matter what. There are times that I allow Satan’s lies to take hold of me. The only One who draws me out of that pit is Jesus, but it is a choice to allow Him to. Thank you for your encouragement, Renee!
Even in unemployment, financial needs , fear , parenting my children, confidence in my self I am MORE than a conqueror in Christ Jesus, my Lord!
This was my prayer on Saturday night that I even posted on my Facebook page….
God. Help or guide me thru my struggles I am going through. I stay tired. Exhausted. Unfocused on things that need to be accomplished. I hide my stress from everyone. My heart breaks with not having the one thing that would make my heart whole. My spirit is weak without the loving guidance from you. I pray with all my might to receive the life that is provided for me. For my boys. My family and friends. I give without taking. I silence my mind just to be at peace. I feel like I look for answers either in the wrong place or not finding them at all. Just let me receive the love and guidance to get through my struggles in the present. I know others will read this and hope they don’t think negative of me. I need your open arms. If I ask too much then I apologize and ask for forgiveness. Help this one in need. Amen…….
….I know through his love and guidance, I will conquer my struggles.
In times of trials, stress from work, heartache, we are more than conquerors, we have Christ who leads us, strengthens us, holds us up. I won’t want to travel this road without Him. Amen.
I was in an abusive marriage for twenty-three years, it not only hurt me it really hurt my daughter, I so want to get her this book because with Christ we can all be overcomers no matter what. Thank ywou for sharing your heart, you are acn encourager.
I am a stay at home wife, mother of two active boys, and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis eight years ago. I feel like God is calling me to more, but not sure what that more is. Yet, I know that through this disease, the stress of everyday life and often overwhelming fatigue, I am more than a conqueror because my Savior reigns and is for me.
In all these things, even in __Sorrow__, I am more than a conqueror through him who loved me.
Great post & reminder to stay strong in the Lord -always needed while walking in this world! Would enjoy the book & more encouragement as I/we endure life’s ups & downs! Blessings 🙂
When we learn to have our confidence in God we are free to tell others.
Thanks for all that you do. God is the great Healer.