About the Author

Holley Gerth is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, counselor, and life coach. Her newest release is The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be You. She's also wife to Mark, Mom to Lovelle, and Nana to Eula and Clem.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Holley,
    For so many years, I wore a mask that said to the outside world, “I’ve got my act together,” when inside I was a total mess. I was an imposture. Our light that shines in a world of darkness is not “perfection” it’s “obedience.” I agree that when others see us go down to the mat and continue to get back up every time the world knocks us down, that speaks volumes. I have persevered through many struggles in life, but I’m the first to say that it was ALL God working in me. If we don’t have struggles, people don’t get to see God work through us, but when we are weak and we continue to persevere, we can boast about God’s enabling, awesome power. Great post and love your description of your running “style” 😉
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

  2. I know this so well Holley. I try to look as if I am making stuff happens when in reality I am failing and struggling and trying to just wing it. My most favorite quote to say, “Faking it til I make it”… But you are so right when you say, others need to see the vulnerable side and to see that despite our imperfections and flaws, we keep moving forward, baby step all the way. Thank you for this reminder that no matter what we look like, God loves us. He loves us just the way we are and right where we are. Thank you Lord for loving on all of us especially when we are most unlovable.

  3. Holley,

    In Emily P. Freeman’s book Grace for the Good Girl she talks about taking off the mask of perfection. Quit striving to please everyone & show the world the real you. Christians are the best at hiding behind masks. Sunday morning church you ask someone how they are doing & they’ll say “fine”. When really deep down they aren’t. We feel we need to be strong all the time. That simply can’t be. Life happens & hits you hard. It’s ok to not be ok. We just need to keep on persevering through our trials & temptations. Romans 5:3-4 says: we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. God asks us to take one step & one day at a time. Our job is point this dark world to Jesus. We can do it by simply enduring. Not hiding behind a mask of perfection. Show the world the real you & then point to God & say “this is what/who keeps me going”.

    Blessings 🙂

  4. Needed this reminder today. 30 years ago I met the Lord standing in the back of a small church when the Pastor’s eyes met mine and he preached “Let the weak say they are strong “. I was going through a divorce and had a one year old son. Jesus gave me what I needed to go on. 10 years ago, my son moved to heaven. Jesus gave me what I needed to go on. 8 years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. 6 years ago I had to quit my job, my ministry as an interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing This morning as my symptoms are becoming more of a daily struggle, I feel like giving up. I NEED JESUS TO GIVE ME WHAT I NEED TO GO ON

    • Donna . . . As I read your response, I think of my sister who has MS. She can’t walk and it is becoming more and more difficult for her to feed herself. And yet, she handles it with dignity and strength–as I believe you do. It’s hard to understand why these things happen to some and those who we think deserve it because of what they have done to others, get away scott free. But, ours is not to judge.
      Jesus has met you in the past and He will continue to in the future. When you are week He is strong. Your continuing to fight the good fight is an inspiration to me and I am sure many others.

      Dear Jesus, I pray for Donna and ask that you give her something to delight in today. The joy of the Lord is her strength.
      Let her feel your loving arms around her as you comfort her with your everlasting love. In your Name, amen.

  5. thankyou ! I recently had a friend dump me . she said she needs only people in her life that show top notch excellence after all our life should show good fruit nonstop.
    I was stunned…thats not at all how I understand that scripture. we all stumble and do not have to put on a fake pretend smile . after some sadness I did realize im so much better off being my true self.. not being friends to someone who wants that perfect person.
    being real takes more personal dignity and strength then being a fake.
    just being a normal human with ups and downs relying on God weekly is real life.
    thankyou for sharing this message

  6. Holley, I’m trying to lose a few pounds after a recent trip to the U.K. Too much sticky toffee pudding and fish and chips! But I feel like I hardly eat anything and still the weight remains. Thank you for encouraging me to keep on keeping on. It’s okay to struggle and be observed struggling. I will not be defeated!

  7. Isn’t God’s timing just perfect? After a lot of prayerful consideration I decided this weekend to attempt to train for a 10K in February, in spite of medical advice that my running days are over. On a good day before my back injury I resembled your humorous description above; now at age 60 there is no telling how slow or awkward I’m likely to be. And yet, I feel God calling me to try to run again. Your post was the first thing I opened this morning and it felt like further confirmation that this is the right path for me. Thank you for these brave and beautiful words!

  8. Donna . . . As I read your response, I think of my sister who has MS. She can’t walk and it is becoming more and more difficult for her to feed herself. And yet, she handles it with dignity and strength–as I believe you do. It’s hard to understand why these things happen to some and those who we think deserve it because of what they have done to others, get away scott free. But, ours is not to judge.
    Jesus has met you in the past and He will continue to in the future. When you are week He is strong. Your continuing to fight the good fight is an inspiration to me and I am sure many others.

    Dear Jesus, I pray for Donna and ask that you give her something to delight in today. The joy of the Lord is her strength.
    Let her feel your loving arms around her as you comfort her with your everlasting love. In your Name, amen.

  9. Thank you so much for this, Holley. This one really spoke to my heart. I’m sending it to a few runner friends of mine. they understand better than I do of feeling like you’re going to die by the end of a run. Keep letting the Lord speak (or write) through you, because He is doing wondrous things through you. Blessings today.

  10. This is so beautiful. May I quote parts
    of it on our Facebook outreach page as long as I credit you?

  11. Thank you for this perspective of endurance. For the past 5 months I have been dealing with a number of health issues that have yet to be fully identified. They have primarily been a nuisance more than dangerous, but have made me quite weary nonetheless. Through it all, my faith has been strengthened in a way I never expected. He is the very reason I have been able to continue fighting. Thank you for sharing this and helping me to view this as another example of how God is working through me.

  12. Hi Holley,
    Beautiful, meaningful post! How often we as Christians don’t want to be seen as weak, having problems etc. This was a powerful reminder that only Jesus was perfect, and as you said, we just need to keep showing others that our faith in Him is what gets us through another day.

    Thanks for the encouragement!
    Shalom, Sandy