Guest Post by Ann White

Ten years ago, I was sitting on my front steps, telling a friend, “I believe God is calling me into full-time ministry, but I’m just not sure what it’s supposed to look like—or how I should proceed.”

“You are in ministry,” my friend responded. “You teach weekly Bible Studies, go on mission trips, and minister to people both at church and in the community.”

Yet, I sensed there was something more God wanted me to do. Something that involved starting a nonprofit.

I knew the ministry would be grounded in the study of God’s Word and would involve discipleship, because these two spiritual disciplines had brought undeniable transformation to my own life, but other details and specifics eluded me. I wanted the full plan laid in front of me, but all I got was an uncomfortable nudge from the Holy Spirit.

“It is only with God’s help that we break down those barriers of what came before to look forward with hope to what lies ahead.“

There were so many unknowns.

I was lost trying to figure out the details. In the whirlwind of my thoughts, I realized I was trying to lead this. I was trying to control this call. I needed to get me out of the way. And then I read:

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, NLT

I followed Paul’s advice. I meditated on Scripture and prayed for God’s wisdom and guidance. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unrest. God was not letting my feeling of inadequacy stop his big plans. He was pushing me forward. Finally, I surrendered my doubts and fears, embraced my God-given courage, and began my journey of starting a nonprofit ministry.

There were still many bumps in the road. I often couldn’t see God’s big picture, but I took His hand as we traveled together. Like Abraham when God said, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1), I chose to let go of the controls and trust God with my venture. I believed He would fill in the details along the way. And He did so much more than that. He guided men ways I never could’ve seen.

“If we let Him, God can use the most broken moments of our lives to bring beauty to others. “

Continually, I have to offer my fears and doubts to God and accept His courage for the plans He has for me. So much of my journey includes overcoming past pain, discouragement, and dysfunction. It is only with God’s help that we break down those barriers of what came before to look forward with hope to what lies ahead.

If we let Him, God can use the most broken moments of our lives to bring beauty to others. God opened my eyes to what I had to share and how I could help others draw closer to Him, especially through pain and disillusionment. God was pushing me once again to step out of my comfort zone. He wanted me to share my story so others could discover true courage rooted in Him.

While writing a book, God revealed seven practical steps that helped me pursue a more courageous life. These seven steps are a foundational discipline and primary teaching component in my ministry—Courage For Life.

The Seven Steps to Courage (below) are grounded in life-changing biblical principles.

C — Commit to Change

O — Overcome Obstacles

U — Uncover Your True Self

R — Replace Worldly Lies with Scriptural Truth

A — Accept the Things You Cannot Change

G — Grasp God’s Love for You

E — Embrace a Life of Grace

These steps also transformed my life. They drew me closer to God and inspired me to become more courageous in my faith.

When I began teaching these steps to others, I rejoiced as they, too, received spiritual and emotional transformation. And the blessings continued as the steps were passed on and on and lives were being healed through God’s path to hope and courage.

“Courage takes many forms, but true and lasting courage is found only when we are rooted in God’s Word.“

Soon, God began opening doors into the prison system and inspired me to begin creating additional resources to support the spiritual growth and emotional health of broken women and men.

When I first felt God’s uncomfortable nudge to follow him, I could never have dreamed or imagined all God would do in and through the Courage For Life ministry. Courage takes many forms, but true and lasting courage is found only when we are rooted in God’s Word.

Because I said yes to God and finally set aside my insecurities and doubts, I not only get to see God’s work in my life but also in the lives of so many others. When we surrender our fears to him and replace them with His courage, He truly does things we could never imagine.

For me, this included helping to create study Bibles for women and men that offer a discipleship pathway to transformation. We are surrounded by so many conflicting voices that distract us from the truth of who we are in Christ. My prayer is that through God’s Word, we can filter out the noise so we can discern and bask in God’s beautiful truth and plans for our lives.

Along with Paul I say,

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20, NLT

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{ Our humble thanks to Tyndale for their partnership in today’s devotional.}