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 in the loss of my beautiful daughter, and an abusive marriage I’m trying to find my way out of, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me!
Although Im finally in a calmer season of life (today anyway), I find myself surrounded by friends snd lived ones who are deeply hurting. I could use some help reaching out to encourage them.
In all these things, even in job loss, financial despair and loss of confidence, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me.
Hello, my name is Debora and I have a disabled husband. He was in a bad accident years ago and he almost died. He was on dialysis for almost two years. The doctors had no hope but I knew God was going to heal him. He is now Not on dialysis but only has one kidney. They said he wouldn’t walk but now he walks. He has also died eight times, had one outer body experience and he got to see heaven once during the eight near life deaths. He is a walking miracle because we never lost our faith in God. Even today, him being disabled and depends on me for our survival and we are about to lose our house, we still believe that God has a plan and we stand strong on that belief. Sounds like an awesome book and I look forward to being able to read it someday. Everyone stay blessed and stay strong in your faith.
so thankful for your post. even with an abusive husband . God is still bigger an I can be a conqueror through Him
Even in the sudden loss of my mother and the diagnosis of my 15 year old with cancer, I am more than a conquerer, through Jesus Christ the ultimate overcomer. Our lives are but a moment in His time. Each person a blessing to us for how ever long we have them. His love and presence in my life are the only sure things. I am learning to need Him more.
Even in the midst of tremendous debt and worry over my baby brother who has stage IV cancer, I know that the Lord is the one constant in my life, He will never leave me nor forsake me. With Him, come what may, I will be okay. I’m so very thankful for His endless love and mercy.
Even in grief
In all these things, even in the end of my marriage with my husband leaving and saying he no longer loves me, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.
Thank you for this post today. It really touched me and encouraged me.
In all these things, even in a failed first marriage and doubts, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me. I did find a man of faith and will celebrate our 35th anniversary on the 16th. Praise God for leading me in the right direction.
I love this post. I am a new mom with a one year old, i have been really struggling with my past and my ability to be a mother! how can you be a good mother if you had no one to model what that means! my mother gave me up, did drugs and mentally was troubled… how can i escape that! but i feel like the lord has been showing me lately that i am not destined to repeat her mistakes. i am me, and i am new in christ- i will make my own mistakes ( i wish it wasn’t so!) but at least i am trying and i have Grace from my father. i am not my mother- i am an overcomer and i will be anew!!!!
Even in my best friend and roommate moving away to get married, even in breaking up with my boyfriend, even in health issues and anxiety and depression and panic attacks and overeating and a crazy messy house and other things, i am more than a conquerer in Christ. I needed that reminder so much right now. Thank you.
I am struggling like so many others. I am not special or unique but my heart hurts. My marriage is desparate and I have lost hope in restoration. But, I continue to stay thinking one day it will change and I will be acceptable. Does that make me a door mat?
Coming up on 6 years since we have seen our granddaughter who we raised as a child for her first 16 years. But even so, God is good. And I am grateful for Sustaining Love.
Thank you So Much Renee for yours and the Lord’s perfect timing!
I need this book in the worst way. Have been in a season of no close friends for a while. I’m dealing with feelings of extreme hurt and rejection and how to handle that while hanging onto how much God loves me – no matter what!
In all these things, even in fighting against all the negative voices that try to entrap me again and again, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me.
I love Holley’s books. You described them so appropriately, Renee. Her words feel like hugs. 🙂
In all these things, even in the midst of battling cancer, I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me. At times I begin to think of all I have already been through: radiation, multiple surgeries, chemotherapy; what I’ve already lost: income, my job, my sense of self worth; and what I see it is doing to my family: the worry on my husband’s face, my children’s sense of security, the fear in their eyes. Yet, I know God is going to take care of us. He already has in so many ways. God is so good.
Stressful moments. I am a girl on the
Go!! I have a hard time saying “no”.
In all these things, even in working through all the abuse I have endured, I am more than a conqueror through Him who Loves me.
I love Holley Gerth’s work she is so uplifting.I got her book and desk calendar You’re Already Amazing for Christmas. I have thoroughly enjoyed the calendar and Book.
I am praying that the Lord heal all my past hurts from family, church people, and others for some things I felt the Lord tugging at my heart to do. I truly desire a Samaritan’s heart too. I have 4 children and married for 28 1/2 years and I give God all the glory! He is faithful. His grace is sufficient….And His mercy endures 4 Ever!