You’re Already Amazing by Holley Gerth Book Review {<– tweet this}
Every so often a book comes along which seems to capture the reader’s heart, soul, and mind. By that, I mean what the author has written could have easily come from the reader’s pen, copied from their journal or typed on their keyboard. In a nutshell, that was my experience with You’re Already Amazing by Holley Gerth.
From the first word until the last was read, I was actively engaged. With highlighter and ink in hand, I underscored, noted in the margin and colored powerful points I longed to remember.
With each page turn and each chapter change, compelling thoughts, ideas, and truths were unpacked. Emotional moments found me nodding “yes”, saying “Thank you, Holley, for giving me permission to feel, releasing me from my Stefanie-made opinions and reminding me it’s not perfection as I see it I seek, but perfection (maturity, growth) as He sees it that matters.
While flipping back through the inspiring pages, I feverishly looked for just the right quotes to share. I longed to find a powerful word, an impactful, insightful thought to post, one that would prompt potential readers to delve into Holley’s incredible text as I have. What I discovered was this: There’s a plethora of compelling points filling page after page, so many, in fact, sharing all of them would be, well, retyping Holley’s book into this post.
Instead, I’m asking HIM to lead me to a few passages to share which so to give you a glimpse into this phenomenal read.
Chapter 3 ~ Why Is It So Hard to Believe I’m Amazing?
The “why” comes from buying into the lie.
- Lie #1: I have to be perfect
“…the Hebrew word for ‘perfect’ is different than our typical Western definition. It actually speaks more to the concept of being ‘complete’ and how we are all we need to be in Christ.” Since “‘I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.’ (Galatians 2:20 NIV), … In God’s eyes, I’m as perfect as Christ. All that sin? It’s settled once and for all.”
“Others may speak into our lives. But Jesus has the final say. He covers the lies with love.”
- Lie #2: I need to be more like her
- Lie #3: I don’t have anything to offer
- Lie #4: Being confident will make me prideful and selfish
- Lie #5: I am who others say I am
Chapter 4: Why Do I Feel This Way?
In this chapter, Holley provides wonderful tools to find our “Emotional Style”. She beautifully reminds us that “Emotions make great messengers but bad bosses. If we listen to what the messenger has to share with us, then turn to our Heavenly Father and ask, ‘What do you want me to do?’ all is well. If we turn to the messenger with our back to the Maker, then our emotions can lead us astray.”
She encourages and inspires us to “Obey (HIM) rather than (our) emotions.”
Chapter 6: Who’s With Me?
Holley lovingly explores the question why we hold back when we have so much to offer. Could it be because…
- We’re afraid we won’t be loved?
- We only feel safe when we’re hiding?
- We’ve got to have control?
She gently reminds us “a life without relationships with other human beings isn’t good — isn’t what he planned.”
Chapter 8: What Does God Want Me to Do With My Life?
This chapter title is one I’ve mulled over more than once. My experience, though, has asked the question through an aptitude scope or a career lens. Both factor in, but, as Holley reminds, our Father God whispers “Daughter, I did not come to give you a full life. I came to give you life to the full.” Life to the full goes beyond the everyday 9-5. It encompasses so much more. It involves our LIFE: circumstances and seasons, expressions vs. expectations and fear vs. love.
I pray your time here has given you a taste of what God, though Holley, has scripted. It was a life-changing, life-enhancing book for me, one I intend to pass along and endorse to the best of my ability.
With that said, I confidently give it 5/5 stars.
About the Author…
Holley Gerth is an award-winning writer, licensed counselor, certified life coach, and speaker. She is cofounder of (in)courage, an online destination for women, which received more than one million page views in its first six months. She also reaches out to readers through her popular blog, Heart to Heart with Holley and through her partnership with DaySpring, a subsidiary of Hallmark. Holley lives in Arkansas with her husband, Mark.
Endorsements…
“Simply put, this is a book for every woman. Every woman who feels a crack line somewhere in her heart. Every woman who needs to find her way back to hope, Jesus, and everything she was made to be in Christ. Holley Gerth is a fresh voice for every woman–she echoes the voice of our Father.”–Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of One Thousand Gifts
“I so appreciated Holley Gerth’s heart as I read You’re Already Amazing–a work full of encouragement, joy, and extremely helpful prompts that helped me overcome obstacles in my own heart. This book is a perfect addition to the library of any woman who wants to see genuine life change and experience it with joy alongside.”–Mary DeMuth, author of Beautiful Battle
“Holley Gerth turns words like a poet. Warm and personal, You’re Already Amazing is a biblical, practical handbook for every woman’s heart. I would love to read this again with a small group of women or high school girls.”– Emily P. Freeman, author of Grace for the Good Girl
“I am honored to endorse this book for my friend Holley Gerth. Not only is she a fabulous, relatable writer, but she is a gift to everyone who has had the opportunity to share a corner of life with her. In You’re Already Amazing, Holley invites you to settle in with her, to hear the words of Christ, and to walk away changed. I have a feeling you’ll be calling her your friend by the time you finish the first chapter, and I also have the sense that you’ll feel a peace in knowing what the lover of your soul longs for you to embrace as reality. He created you just as you are, for purposes that will bless and honor him. We can all use that reminder!”–Angie Smith, Women of Faith speaker and author of I Will Carry You and What Women Fear
About the Publisher…
Revell began over 125 years ago when D. L. Moody and his brother-in-law Fleming H. Revell saw the need for practical books that would help bring the Christian faith to everyday life. From there, Fleming H. Revell Publishing developed consistently solid lists which have enjoyed the presence of many notable Christian writers over the years. This same vision for books that are both inspirational and practical continues to motivate the Revell publishing group today. Whether publishing fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.
