{Review} What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days

Holley Gerth writes like she’s sitting next to you at the table. I can say this with certainty because I’ve had the opportunity to sit next to and near Holley at a few meals. Her words in person echo the words of her books.

“What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days” is Holley’s newest devotional that officially releases today. With verses from Psalms as her foundation, this is the kind of book you can tuck away in your purse – especially if it’s as big as mine – for encouragement on the hard days. Specifically, there are 52 truths she wants you to hold on to. Each chapter has a title that describes the character of God, a passage from Psalms, a devotional that’s based in real life, and a few lines to pray and journal.

As I was reading different chapters recently, I underlined lines I wanted to remember, thought about my own hard days, and prayed for friends walking through their own darkness. My favorite – I think, this is likely to change on a different day – was “God Knows Your Calendar.” If you’ve been around me, you know about my calendar. I make lists, plan parties, schedule activities and free time, and document dates. Sometimes forget I’m not in charge of my time.

Our days will have trouble. Sometimes we squander these days, thinking we’ll have all the time we want to make things right. Holley talks about how the memories of the days that have been – you know, the ones you keep circled on the calendar in your mind – eventually jolt us awake.

“We treat time like treasure instead of trash. That’s the hidden gift of trouble: it makes all that’s good and beautiful and true stand out like stars in a night sky. We learn to count our blessings and make our days count.” {page 143}

In the pages of “What Your Heart Needs of the Hard Days,” Holley shares about walking through infertility, being encouraged herself by the people in her life, living while waiting even when it hurts, and believing God is who he says he is. And when she does, she encourages others to keep living for and believing in the Creator of this world and its people, the One who delivers, redeems, accepts, hears our tears, gives joy, prepares, and protects.

_______
Holley Gerth is a bestselling writer, certified life coach, and speaker. She loves connecting with the hearts of women through her popular blog and books like “You’re Already Amazing,” “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream,” and “You’re Going to Be Okay.” She’s also cofounder of (in)courage and a partner with DaySpring. Holley lives with her husband, Mark, in the South. 

And I have some fun news! Holley is hosting an online book club. Learn more here. Or like her Facebook page to keep up. 

I received a free copy of “What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days” from Revell Books in exchange for a review as part of this blog tour. This post does include affiliate links. 

I linked up this post with Creative Home Keeper’s monthly Book Notes. 
________
Want more stories? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”