Episode #17
Ep. 117 When You Don't Feel Strong Enough: Finding Courage in a Mighty God with Laura L. Smith
You don't have to stop being afraid before God can use you. In this episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Bible teacher, author, podcaster, and speaker Laura L. Smith for an honest conversation about what biblical courage actually looks like. Laura shares why being brave isn't about "girl power," having more confidence, or somehow becoming fearless. It's about learning to depend on the power of God when what He's asking you to do feels bigger than you. Laura is the author of 15 books, including her newest book, Brave Woman, Mighty God. She shares how her own story of growing up with emotional wounds and believing lies about her worth shaped her passion for helping women tear down the lies they believe and replace them with the truth of who God says they are. She also takes us behind the heart of her newest book and the women of Scripture whose stories show us just how intentionally God has always seen, valued, and used women. And maybe one of the biggest lies standing between us and what God is calling us into is simply: "I'm not enough." Laura reminds us that courage doesn't mean doing everything at once. Sometimes it looks like praying, naming the fear, asking God to direct the next step, and then actually taking it. Because we aren't called to sit still until we feel ready. God invites us to ask, seek, knock, and walk with Him one step at a time. What We Cover Laura's own story of growing up believing lies about her worth and learning to receive the love of God How her childhood dream of becoming a writer slowly became something she was willing to pursue The heart behind Brave Woman, Mighty God Why biblical courage isn't about becoming fearless or relying on our own strength The lie Laura hears women struggle with most: "I'm not enough" How to recognize thoughts that are degrading, condemning, or inconsistent with the character of God Practical ways to move forward when God is calling you into something that feels overwhelming Why prayer comes before trying to figure out every step What Ruth, Eve, Deborah, Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, and other women of Scripture can teach us today How God elevated and entrusted women even within cultures that often marginalized them How difficult relationships with our earthly fathers can affect the way we understand God as Father Why Laura chose to attend seminary after already writing 15 books What studying Scripture in its historical and cultural context has taught her Moving from a scarcity mindset toward trusting the abundance of God Why God doesn't need you to become someone else in order to use you Key Quotes "I think the biggest lie I hear over and over and reframed a thousand ways is I'm not enough." "God always elevated women above the culture they were in." Connect with Laura L. Smith Website / Books: https://LauraSmithAuthor.com Instagram: @LauraSmithAuthor Featured Book: Brave Woman, Mighty God Join the Conversation Where are you waiting to feel brave before taking the next step God may already be asking you to take? Come connect with us and share what this conversation brought up for you. Echos of Impact on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Join the Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes If this episode encouraged you, follow Echos of Impact so you don't miss what's coming next. And if you have a minute, leaving a rating or review is one simple way to help more women find these conversations. Thank you for listening and being part of this community.
