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!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I am so grateful for this wonderful site. Thank you . It’s a daily staple and I have been introduced to so many wonderful writers and books(just finished Anjuli Paschall’s “Stay”. Renee Swope , whose ” A Confident Heart” was such a help and huge encouragement in a challenging time ) I’m so glad to find a site where people share their hearts for it resonates with hearts and souls all over the world. I’m writing from the UK. Happy 10th Birthday Incourage.me 🙂 xxx

  2. I am learning that God meets us more than half way when we take risks for his glory. Thank you for all the strong active verbs you’ve introduced to your original invitation.

  3. Holley,
    I’m so glad I found (in)courage ten years ago. I was going through a long, drawn out divorce and had just lost my job. This was a safe place for me to land and the words I read encouraged my weary soul. I made a promise to myself then, that if my life got turned around that I would be that voice of encouragement for others. I’ve tried to keep my promise. Thank you for being courageous enough to establish a welcoming place where we can be both vulnerable and safe. I also started my own blog eight years ago while drinking coffee out of your “Dream” DaySpring mug. Thanks for helping me continue to point my life arrow toward God.
    Blessings,
    Bev

    • “…an encouragement for others”- that you are, Bev.
      Thank you ❤

      Blessings to you-
      With love and gratitude,
      Kellylynn

      • Thanks, Nancy! You are too kind! I started my blog after a long surgery recovery and it’s what led me to starting the school in Pakistan. Sometimes God’s plans just amaze me. He can do incredibly more than we could ever ask or imagine. Stay safe and have a great weekend. Thanks for blessing me here today!
        Love and hugs,
        Bev xo

    • Bev,

      It’s been a pleasure following your story. Been & still am praying for you & your family. You are an inspiration to many. You push through & persevere in hard times. May God continue to bless you & your new family.

      Blessings 🙂

  4. I’m so grateful to you for this post today and the fact that my heart landed on this message brings me great JOY! Be courageous in all the things that scare us a little. ❤️ Message received.

  5. Friend, I remember that challenge. It scared me because at the time, I ran my words through a 4-step filter before I hit publish: what would my dad/pastor/neighbor/friends think if they read this? It kept me in check and kept me from sharing words that people needed to read. When I started taking baby steps and pushing that invisible line, surprisingly, it was the people whose disapproval I’d feared who cheered me on. Thanks for always being a cheerleader for women. I love you, friend!

    • Dawn,

      Love your writing. Keep pushing through the invisible line. You are an encouragement to me. Always sharing great advice.

      Blessings 🙂

  6. I always love the call to bravery, to stepping out from my safe place, and for doing it a little scared. I need to be challenged in this way. I have been a part of this community for many years and love how it has grown into a place where community, courage, and being there for each other is at the forefront. .

  7. Thank you for this! I’ve been overwhelmed by all the voices over social media/the media lately-feeling like no matter what I do/don’t do-it isn’t the right thing or good enough. The reminder to be brave no matter where God has us is such an encouragement…to be reminded that those unseen everyday things matter, and we CAN make a difference-one life at a time. ❤️

  8. Thank you for listening to God’s call and not the status quo. I’m most helped by the stories of people who are willing to share the real and sometimes raw. The other stuff might be good, too, but it holds the readers at arm’s length. Real stories throw open the doors of the writer’s heart and welcome the readers into an intimate, me-too, safe place. Thank you for aiming for the real.

  9. Love and live in a way that scares me a little. Yes. That’s how we reflect God. That’s how the many people in the bible seem to live. God is in the habit of asking them and us to step out of our comfort zone and be a little scared. Very little happens if we stay comfortable.

  10. I was there all those years ago when (in) courage was just born! I was so blessed to somehow find the site that became such a beautiful light to my then totally shattered life. The brutal honesty that each writer shared and relentless love for our Lord was everything I needed to help me focus forward. Holley somehow every word you would write ALWAYS seemed to show up exactly at the perfect time. Sweet Sarah Markley also wrote back than and she moved my heart so deeply with her honesty and story. Miss that girl and pray she is well! So many shared their raw truth. Those shared stories helped heal the quiet broken shattered hearts of many. It’s been many years and that beach house has really expanded!!!! Forever grateful for each of you!♥️

  11. I’m grateful for all of you who have been with us for so many years and for those of you who are brand new too! I believe we’re better together. XOXO

    • You’ve changed so many lives. And the lives YOU all here have changed have rippled outward to change exponentially more. Thank you for your heart of encouragement. Being more courageous each day – and the words above help me do so even more. Thank you Holley!

  12. Thank you for this post, Holley. I have only been receiving in-courage for several months, and I have loved all of them; been touched, cried and prayed with some, and occasionally responded. I am not able to purchase any of tour books, or things from Dayspring, because I live in Australia and at 80 and not really computer literate, I do not do online banking,
    However, this post particularly resonated with me, so I though I would share this background with you, as I am in the process of finally having my books of Christian poetry self-published. And it’s quite scary! I had to halve the book and print 2 instead, or the cost would have been too exorbitant for anyone to buy. So the mainly Chritsian one is called Living & Learning (published by Westbow Press in USA- a subsidiary of NIV Zondervan – and will be avaible in USA and online. The other is being published in Australia, and is called Cautionary Tales and Encouragements. (Includes Lessons for Children, and poems for Celebrations and Tributes. Both will only be sold by me in Australia for $20 each, with all profits going to Missions through my Presbyterian Church. (Forget the few thousand dollars initial outlay – that will not be repaid out of profits.) I jusdt believe that God has not granted me this gift to have themm stay in my conputer, and at long last have been able to have the time and enthusiam for organising it, My husband of 55 years (and 2 days) died in 2018 after10 years with dementia, So I am waiting until crowds may gather once more, and will then have a local Book Launch, (costs of which will not come from profits either!) My poems have been written on everyday topics from my heart to resonate to the hearts of the reader, on subjects common to humanity. So yes, scary at times. And yes, I do appreciate that whst you decided in the beginning has resulted in wonderful consoling and moving articles. May God bless you all as you continue in the Word. Love from Camilla

  13. Holley,

    Happy Birthday In Courage! You have introduced me to many great writers, their lives & their podcasts. Read some awesome books also. Always looked forward to reading this email first. I realize living in a small town out in country some that I can’t solve ALL the worlds problems. Understand that doing small acts of kindness for others & stepping out of my comfort zone can help change lives. It takes courage to step out on faith & do something you’ve never done before. This year I felt God tugging at me to do more with Relay for Life. I made a small video for our virtual kick off. Took on the role of Recognition Lead. I have always been the one who encourages & loves on others. You can call me the glue that holds small groups together. Let’s all be courageous & love on everyone any way we can.

    Blessings 🙂