Holley Gerth > Quotes

“Be courageous and try to write in a way that scares you a little.”
― Holley Gerth

“While God does want us to be open with others, he also encourages us to put boundaries in place as we do. He talks repeatedly about guarding our hearts. So what’s the difference? Hiding is a response out of fear, while guarding is a proactive choice to protect what matters most. In other words, we’re not to deliberately put something of worth where it won’t be valued.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be

“Because here’s the secret: in the kingdom of God, as long as you’re still fighting, you’re winning. God doesn’t hand out medals for performance. He hands out crowns for perseverance.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“your greatest hurt will probably be your greatest ministry.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“whatever he does have for you to accomplish, even on the tough days, you can.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days

“So what’s the difference between growth and our typical idea of “perfection”? Perfectionism is all or nothing. Growth is little by little. Perfectionism is all about the goal. Growth is more about the journey. Perfectionism is about outward appearances. Growth is about what happens on the inside. Perfectionism is about what we do. Growth is about who we’re becoming.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be

“He shows us that our lives are about love and not performance. He extends mercy rather than demands. So even when we fall short in the eyes of others, we can still be confident standing tall in his. And we can lift others up by offering them true grace rather than our personal guidelines.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“One reason we strive so hard to be perfect is to silence that critical voice in our minds. So let’s pause right now and agree on this together: that critical voice is not God.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“Here’s the reality: you’re not supposed to be perfect. You’re supposed to be human. And humans are messy, flawed, glorious, and deeply loved.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“Laughter is our soul's way of saying, "I surrender to being human.”
― Holley Gerth

“Excellence is doing what you can, with what you have, where you are, as you are.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“We live in a world of want ads. Some of them are printed on pages; many more are unspoken. Wanted: A woman who is a perfect friend, mom, wife, coworker, housekeeper, cook, driver, thinker, encourager, and more. Messy, real, in-progress people need not apply. God has a very different idea in mind. Wanted: A woman who is imperfect, in need of grace, gloriously gifted, flawed, and beautiful and who dares to believe she’s loved through it all by a God who has an amazing purpose for her life. No need to apply. You’ve already been chosen.”
― Holley Gerth, God's Heart for You: Embracing Your True Worth as a Woman

“Sometimes what we see as wasted time is actually the training ground for what God has in store for us. The lessons we learn and the obstacles we overcome are preparation. Even the rocks you’re struggling to climb over today may be the stepping-stones of tomorrow. God never wastes anything. There is great value in where he has led you.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days

“When we limit change or even enjoyment in our lives to the times when everything falls into place just as we want, it’s a bit like refusing to drive unless every stoplight we come across is green.”
― Holley Gerth, The "Do What You Can" Plan: 21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better

“God does have a perfect will. But it’s not like a straight path. It’s more like a GPS route. God has destinations for our lives, yes, but he also understands there will be detours, wrong turns, and delays along the way.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“Your weaknesses and struggles are not reasons for him to give up on you. Instead, they’re opportunities for you to show his strength in ways you simply can’t on your best days.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days

“What I do know is that there are two kinds of pain in this life: risk and regret. I'd rather live with the first than the second.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Made for a God-Sized Dream: Opening the Door to All God Has for You

“Your circumstances may change, but who you truly are remains forever the same. Your identity is eternally secure in Christ.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days

“As they say, if you can’t be an example, be a warning.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be

“We won’t always be strong. Sometimes we’ll blow it. Sometimes we’ll have a meltdown that makes even the dog worry. Sometimes we’ll do the exact opposite of what’s best.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days

“The biggest red flag to look for when it comes to a leader or organization is this: Do they pressure you to conform to who they are, or do they help you become more of who you are?”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“Men are not our problem; it’s what we are trying to get from them that messes us up.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“Hey, you . . . The one wondering if you’ve got strengths. You do. The one questioning if God really even wants to use you. He does. You’ve got gifts to offer the world. Things that are good and right and true. No one else can make a difference like you can. Like you already are. Dare to believe it. Dare to receive it. Stand tall, be strong, just go out there and be you in your own wonderful way. Today.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be

“Your circumstances will lie to you. Your emotions will lie to you. Even other people will lie to you. But not God. And because of this, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). Your identity is secure. Nothing going on in your life can change it.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days

“You are allowed to respectfully question your leaders. Even God said, “Come now, let us reason together” (Isa. 1:18 ESV). Be careful of any authority who is not open to differences or discussions. If someone is completely closed off to input from others, then take it as a major sign that it may be time to get out from under that person’s leadership.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“Stress and bad days seem to empty our hearts and our hands. We think, “I’ve got nothing . . . or at least very little.” But the reality is, you still have a lot going for you. You have circumstantial strengths that become part of who you are through God’s power when you need them. And you have a stash that includes your education, your experiences, and most of all a God who loves you and promises to see you through even the toughest times.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days

“Fitting in and belonging are not the same thing, and, in fact, fitting in gets in the way of belonging. Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.”
― Holley Gerth, The "Do What You Can" Plan: 21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better

“God says you’re one of a kind. He wants you to become more of who he created you to be, not a copy of someone else.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

“We are much more than pretty... we are wonderfully made. We are much more than likable... we are deeply loved. We are much more than ok... we are the daughters of the King.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be

“You are a daughter of God, a holy princess, a woman loved beyond all you can imagine. No matter what.”
― Holley Gerth, You're Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days