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!}
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
In all these things, even in the mist of: losing my mom this past year, a horrible chronic illness my husband suffers with,serious health issues for my family members, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me. Thank you for reminding me that I am an overcomer in Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
If even in dealing with 3 year old disobedience when I get frustrated and use an ugly tone. 🙁
The battle for our minds is real. Satan can sound so much like our own “little inner voice” that we don’t realize it’s him. And he’ll use every trick in the book…….”I’ll never be any good”…..”God will never forgive me”……”I can’t do it anymore.” But GOD says we are His if we believe and trust and have faith — faith as small as a mustard seed. Jesus Christ died to save us and we are loved and cherished children of God. I accepted Jesus as my Savior as a young girl. I’m 53 now, and it has taken me most of my life to come to fully realize this truth. I wasted a lot of time looking for things that could never satisfy. But now I’m growing and changing and being transformed by the love and grace and mercy of my Savior and God.
I know I am more than a conquer! I am going through menopause an with it you have bouts of depression. my faith keeps me going.
In all these things, even in my poor choices and self-doubt, I am more than a conqueror through HIM who LOVES me!
In all these things, even in ____debilitating illness __, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
Two years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, on top of my already existing illnesses of migraines, depression, arthritis, gastritis, allergies and focal dystonia. I can’t work anymore; yet social security continues to deny my claim for disability. Some days it’s very hard to keep from giving in to despair. But I know that God is there for me and His ways and thoughts are higher than mine.
In all these things, even in hopelessness, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me. My husband has struggled with addiction for more than 30 years. I am struggling with letting him go and moving on with my life
In all these things, even in exhaustion/frustration, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me
In all these things, even in the mist of adversity when it seems like every thing and every one is coming up against me, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me. No matter the situation, I know that God’s got this, and He’s holding me close to Him. He will never, ever let me go!
Shirley
http://www.lightlovehope.com
God has given me a word this year and that word is Overcomer! He keeps putting it out there for me as a constant reminder that through him I am an Overcomer. I would love to win this book to keep me in check with what he has for me.
This sounds like a book written just for me. I’m on the opposite end of the blog. I have a “friend” who just ditched me after 45 years of friendship. She has alot of problems and didn’t want to add mine to her list. It hurts and has had we wanting to give up.
In all these things, even in battling anxiety and other family health issues, I am more than a conqueror through him who loved me. This is something I have been battling for years, and this book sounds like just what I need. Love the encouragement I find from your words and the many others of Proverbs 31.
I am more than conquerer through Christ who loved me,
over years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse,
and a broken marriage.
This book sounds like exactly what I need…hope in the storm.
Thank you for your prayers
I am Working to overcome an addiction resulting from depression by emerging myself in Christ’s words portrayed in your book “A Confident Heart,” and music by Mandisa and Jenny Simmons. I feel that this book will help me so much. Thank you!
In all these things, even in marital strife, codependency recovery, necessary estrangement from family of origin, trying to change the bad thinking patterns of decades, adrenal fatigue, thyroid issues, gut issues, and parenting a special needs child and a teenager , I am more than a conqueror through him who loved me.
In all these things, even in the midst of great physical pain due to scoliosis, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
Thank you for the encouragement! I really needed it today.
Even in the midst of being a single parent to a teenager I hold my roots tight on the cornerstone, knowing that I have the promise of victory and a conqueror in Him who holds me everytime I fall. Abba father is my rock!
I think this is a great article! It is so touching!!!
Great post!
In all these things, even in battling my addiction and depression, I am more than a conquerer through Him who LOVES ME!!!