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When something difficult happens, it’s easy to wonder, “Where are you, God?” And his answer is always the same: “I’m with you.” Sometimes he makes his presence known through the hands and feet of people in our lives. Sometimes he quietly whispers to our hearts. Sometimes he works through circumstances to let us know we’re not alone.
Why does God do this? The answer in psalms seems downright scandalous. David says, “He rescued me because he delighted in me” (Ps. 18:19). Yet when bad things happen in our lives, one of the first assumptions we often make is that God must be really upset with us.
The enemy would love to persuade you that God is against you. He would love for you to become convinced that you don’t have God’s support. He would love to make you believe that you’ve fallen beyond God’s ability to hold you up.
Will you pause for a moment and reject those lies? We live in a fallen, broken world, and we all face difficulties. That doesn’t mean we’re being punished. Jesus lived an absolutely perfect life, and yet he was still “a man of suffering and familiar with pain” (Isa. 53:3). None of us gets to go through life without hard times. That doesn’t say anything about you except this: you’re human.
God knows that as humans we’re weak and frail. He knows we need help. He wants to offer that to us. Yet it’s up to us to receive it. And if we think he’s mad at us, then that’s a lot harder to do.
Perhaps it’s time to shift your perspective to align with what’s really true.
God isn’t disappointed in you.
He wants to delight in you.
And he will give you the support you need.
XOXO
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The post above is an excerpt from What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days, Holley Gerth’s new devotional. You can get your copies from DaySpring.com and use coupon code HGFRIENDS for 20% off when you do. Holley will also be going through the devotional on Facebook starting September 8th and you can like her page to join in!
And be sure to head over to this post to enter to win a gift basket full of DaySpring goodies – you might even win a copy of Holley’s new book!
Leave a Comment
Crystal Stine says
I needed this today – so grateful for your words & encouragement!
Marilyn Ojeda says
Good Morning:
I started out with incourage with Ann Voskamp – “1000 Gifts” and wow how my life has changed. That was two years ago and I have continued writing his gifts to me. I’m at #2016. That was life changing. Your videos and discussions were such a blessing.
Then I joined you when you studied on Prayer with Richard Foster. OK I’m feeling very impressed to go back and read that book again.
Y’all are just a joy and I love your transparency and open door policy. This world needs y’all and I’m so glad I found your website.
Sweet regards,
Marilyn Ojeda
Elizabeth says
Holley,
I feel like your the sister I’ve always wanted. You are truly a gifted writer and I love how comfortable and loved you always make us feel. Wish I could have my cup of warm mocha on my front porch with you every morning, but I’ll have to settle with reading your new devotional 😉 thank you so much for your words. You have such a big heart- I can feel it through your writing. Thank you for being you. Xoxo.
Lesli Johnson says
I completely needed to read this today after some recent difficulties. I stumbled upon (in)courage a few days ago and ever since then it has been like getting a heart massage with every new read. I am grateful to have found this community and have been sharing the articles and blogs with my friends so they can feel encouraged too! Keep doing what you’re doing.. the hearts and lives of so many women need this!
Janet says
Beautiful words Holley. Thank you for the encouragement today 🙂
Tonie says
Daily I look to Incourage to guide me back to my path of hope, mercy, and grace. It would seem that God uses each of your writers to write a story of inspiration, courage, and steadfastness that is JUST what I need for that day. Thanks goes out to all of you for your obedience, creativity, and willingness to share from your heart to mine.
Joanne Peterson says
Oh Holly, what a balm to my heart. Sweet words, true words.
Marty says
Thank you for this post. Your words encouraged me tonight. 🙂
Michelle Waychoff says
Thank you…
Melanie Potter says
Incourage me has helped me realize I’m not alone, my God is with me. Changing & trying hard to be a good mother. Knowing what is in my past & how I was raised does not reflect who I am. God has chosen a better path for me & I’ve learned there is so much in forgiveness. Your site has encouraged me as a mom & wife. But most of all finding out who I am met to be in Gods eyes. Thank you for your beautiful stories & words.
Diane says
I ordered your book and am looking forward to reading it. I’d love to go through it with you but I don’t have Facebook. Is there some way I could still do it?
Holley Gerth says
Thank you for all your encouraging words, friends!
Telesia Tonga says
Thank you for your timely inspired & divine message. Heartfelt & encouraging. Coffee for the Heart like you say. Blessingsxxx
Ojackieh says
Truth makes you free. Holley thanks for the truth about the goodness of our God and His love for us. May you find more truth that you can share with us as you pursue being all you can be for Him. His grace and mercy are new each day, and oh how we need them some days more then others. I am so glad that you are willing to let Him use the gifts He has given to bless so many. I am so glad that you are willing to be you!!
Nancy says
He delights in me…oh what a beautiful thought. Thank you
Debbie Roy says
Hello Holley and all you other lovely ladies,
Will you please pray for me and with me regarding my family. They are all fallen away from God and I am losing their relationships. It started over 20 years ago when I stood up against some really bad stuff that was in our family. Now, my children are in very controlling marriages (almost cult like) and I am continually being pushed away or rejected. It has been a very painful journey for me. I am especially concerned for my precious grandchildren (I have 5 of them and another on the way) who want to be with me, and my son in law and daughter in law are “crowding” me out of their lives. It’s a terrible mess and this little blurb doesn’t even begin to cover it all. Please pray as God leads you.
Thank you sisters,
Debbie
Nancy Dickerson says
Thank you so much! This is such a good reminder for me today. My son, Eric, committed suicide last November and I would never have made it thru that time without God’s help. Monday, the 8th is Eric’s birthday and this is stirring up pain in my heart. I needed to be reminded He is here, with me, now. Thank you again for the reminder and for all of the wonderful things you share to help us in our daily walk.
Naomi says
THANKS SO MUCH, Holley! I needed to hear this today! Thanks so much for sharing this!!
Blessed me VERY MUCH! Thanks so much for sharing from your heart so many times! I wish I could meet and talk with you sometime….Blessed, Naomi
Cheryl Lugo says
Good morning Holley, this is just what my soul has
Been longing for. God bless!:-)
D. Lowe says
Such a great reminder. Thank you!
Christine Cromley says
These devotionals seem to give me just what I need for each day. I am so thankful for them and you!
paula corlew says
I would like to thank you for the thoughtful words. I been in an emotional upheavel for awhile now but your words were a help. I know God wants to heal me I just pray it happens soon. Thanks.
Asa says
What a revellation! You could also mention that in the middle of hardships, God will make surprise miracles in order to make his omnipresence revealed. It has always happened to me . I am happy that Halley shares similar experience and goes further to help all mankind realise it.God bless her
Cheri says
Thank you, Holley, for sharing your heart and God’s love through your writing. Your words have blessed my heart and have been just what I needed to hear at the time. I , too, often wish I could I could meet and talk with you. I am so thankful for you and to have found your wonderful website. I look forwar to reading every one of your books. God bless you.
Bonnie Holmes says
Thank you…my heart has been in turmoil for 2 weeks when my favorite minister at my church suddenly submitted her resignation. The senior pastor was scheduled to start a new series in September, but he has not preached since she submitted her resignation. Apparently there were some pretty strong accusations made and the church is in an uproar. I will never forget, though, His words that she speaks with such radiance and belief that it feels like God is warming you up from your toes to your head on a very cold day. Those words are from Zephaniah 3:17 and while I can’t quote the whole verse, she ends every service in which she preaches with, “Christians, O dear Christians, please remember as you go forth that God delights in you, oh how He delights over you with singing”. It reminds that although I may be a million miles away but God is right there with me and he delights over me with singing whether I think I deserve it or not.
jonah says
Dear beloved, what a nice and comforting words.may God bless your ministry.
Chris Kraemer says
I so desperately needed this today. I have been crying out to God, asking Him where He is and why He isn’t doing anything. My marriage is very quickly dissinagrating and our 4 children are a mess. We just recently found out my son has been sexually molested and it is possible our 3 daughters have been also. My whole world seems to be falling apart and I feel so tired and overwhelmed. Thank you for the reminder that God is here and He will not and is not going to leave me. He will walk through this right beside me and give me the strength and everything I need to get through this. I just need to surrender all to Him and rest in Him and Him alone. Thank you and God Bless.
Mary Walker says
Thank you Holley for starting this site. I so enjoy and get lots of encouragement from your posts.
I have not purchased any of your books yet but I do plan on doing it soon. Please keep up with
your writing and posts. God bless you always. You are most certainly a child of Gods and he
has given you an amazing talent. Thanks again.
Mary