The Call to Courage

The topic of courage is of interest to women in ministry and leadership. Participants in the February cluster were invited to share an object or item that symbolizes, or is a reminder to them, of “courage” in their life. Our learning community also watched a 4-minute YouTube presentation by Brene Brown titled, The Call to Courage. We then engaged in a conversation about times in which we did, or did not, have the courage to lean into our authentic self.

Here are some highlights from our discussion:

Brown: “We try to combat not being enough by pleasing, and perfecting, and performing. Choose discomfort over resentment.”

• We added that it's best to seek God's will through discernment and not to do something because we can do certain things well. Be careful. Sometimes we put the needs of the church before everything else.

Brown: "I am enough, starts with. . . enough."

• One participant said remember daily to affirm who we are in Christ. Our identity is in Christ. Our understanding of this identity grows over time. 
• Stay grounded in scripture. “Being” versus “doing.” We are his beloved.

Brown: "We struggle with worthiness. Worthiness does not have prerequisites. I am enough; this is who I am."

• When we find ourselves in a place of feeling less than, surrender this emotional heaviness by accepting not ignoring it. Offer up a welcoming prayer as outlined in a previous discussion on emotions. See Swollen Rivers and Welcoming Prayer.

We must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us from behaviors like pleasing, perfecting, and performing to prove that we are enough. Our identity is in Jesus Christ, which is more than enough.

The next Women’s Ministry discussion is on Tuesday, March 17, at 1 p.m. EST.  Our leadership topic will be two-fold, “Reclaiming our Identity as the Beloved and Reaching the Next Generation.” We will start promptly at 1 p.m. with introductions and then discuss an article on this topic. 

If you are a woman in ministry, we'd love for you to join us via online conferencing! Fill out this short form if you haven’t already signed up, and you'll receive a link to join the next meeting.