Ann White
12 min read ⭑
“For the first time in my life, I was developing the courage to say yes to God and no to my fears. I was learning to overcome my past, forgive my offenders and embrace a life of courageous faith. I learned that transparency and vulnerability take courage — but that they can also usher in true healing.”
If Ann White hadn’t allowed God into the deepest, most vulnerable places of her heart, she doesn’t know where she would be right now. She certainly wouldn’t have created the popular ministry Courage For Life or reached people across the nation through her books, TV broadcasts, digital discipleship courses and speaking events. But in her darkest moments, God knew exactly what Ann needed. Through counseling and deep inner work, she discovered seven courageous steps that transformed her life — and now, she teaches others how to walk out those same steps, too.
Today, she’s getting honest about her painful past, including a rough relationship with her father, and how God has healed her through his love and his Word. She also opens up about what it looks like to trust God for the courage to take scary steps of obedience, as well as the books and Bible teachers that have inspired her faith and work.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
Food is always about more than food; it’s also about home and people and love. So how does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
As I grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, my mom was the glue that held our family together — and she was a great cook, too! This left my two brothers and me with cherished memories of spending hours with Mom in the kitchen, cooking and baking. Whether it was for the holidays — with homemade casseroles, cakes and our favorite chocolate chip cookies — or summers when we helped her stir fresh chicken salad and make pimento cheese for sandwiches, Mom always demonstrated how much love can be shared in the kitchen.
Although there were many aspects of our home life that were greatly dysfunctional, Mom always found ways to spread love and joy. Since her passing in 2006, my brothers and I have carried on her tradition and have created even more beautiful memories in the kitchen with our kids, grandkids and close friends. A few years back, I put together a print and digital cookbook with Mom’s favorite recipes and gave copies to family members and friends. We often text one another when we make one of her recipes.
Love is beautifully expressed by time spent with the people you love — with family, friends and with God. I was in my late 30s when I truly began growing closer to my heavenly Father, when I started setting aside time each day to read my Bible and communicate with God. It was then that my relationship with the Lord truly deepened, and my courage muscles grew much stronger.
The same is true for all of us when we make time for loved ones, friends and especially God.
Caroline Ziemkiewicz; Unsplash
QUESTION #2: REVEAL
What “nonspiritual” activity have you found to be quite spiritual, after all? What quirky proclivity, out-of-the-way interest or unexpected pursuit refreshes your soul?
My husband and I love the outdoors. We enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding and going for long walks. While I’ve loved being outside and participating in outdoor activities since I was a kid, I’ve become keenly aware of God’s unmistakable presence in these places in my later years.
As a child, I cherished the freedom I experienced while walking down the dirt road to our local park or how exhilarating it felt to ride my bike, ride a horse or simply run through the woods.
Today, I cherish the smells of springtime and the feelings of fall. I see God’s artistry in my surroundings, no matter where I am. His majesty in the water and waves at the beach and his love through the people he has brought into my life.
The more life I experience, the more aware I become of how much God blesses us. Even when times are hard, when disappointments come and sorrow or depression seek to steal my joy, I can always find God’s blessings in the simple things in life — if I take the time to look for them. I think that is true for all of us. When we slow down and take the time to think about the people, places and things that make us smile, warm our hearts and encourage our spirits, we can always recognize God’s blessings in our lives.
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness; every human, too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite, and how do you confront its power?
Past pain leads to present fears. For me, the fear of rejection, the fear of failure, the fear of abandonment and the fear of the unknown kept me emotionally bound for many years, and still today, these obstacles try to steal my courage and joy. Fortunately, I have learned to recognize and manage my fears in healthy ways — ways that allow me to see my circumstances clearly and manage my apprehensions effectively.
While I have many fond memories of my mother and brothers growing up, I also have a collection of painful memories with my dad. Today, I see my father and his actions more objectively and through the eyes of grace, but for many years, I allowed his words and behaviors to play like a broken record in the background of my mind.
That was, until I met a godly Christian counselor who helped me recognize the power I was giving to those memories. I learned that fear was not only robbing me of joy but also hindering me from embracing the plans and purposes God had for my life.
At the time I began counseling, I had a very close relationship with God and had been teaching an in-depth study of his Word for years. But I still needed to break down the remaining emotional barriers that continued to wreak havoc on my personal life and in my relationships.
Thankfully, today, I have healed from past painful memories, adopted grace and forgiveness where hurt and bitterness once resided, and am better equipped to recognize my fears and replace them with words of encouragement, wise counsel and a healthy dose of courage.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
In 2012, as God was nurturing me through counseling and urging me to overcome many obstacles, he placed a dream in my heart to create a nonprofit ministry. At the time, I felt completely unqualified, unprepared and at a loss for what God had in mind. Nevertheless, he placed an unquenchable desire in my heart to minister to others and share everything I was learning with them. Through counseling, God allowed me to take seven practical steps, which became the Seven Steps to Courage. Today, these seven steps, along with God’s Word, are the foundation of our ministry, Courage For Life.
As I was praying about the name and direction for my nonprofit ministry, a friend asked, “If you could define the unique message God has placed on your heart with one word, what would it be?”
Immediately, I knew the answer: “courage.”
For the first time in my life, I was developing the courage to say yes to God and no to my fears. I was learning to overcome my past, forgive my offenders and embrace a life of courageous faith. I learned that transparency and vulnerability take courage — but that they can also usher in true healing.
Since that time, God has given me the courage to create my nonprofit, speak both locally and globally, oversee the recording of two fully female-voiced audio Bibles (in English and in Spanish), write six books and devotionals on emotional health and spiritual growth, and partner with Tyndale House Publishers to produce two award-winning study Bibles, “The Courage For Life Study Bible for Women” and the “Courage For Life Study Bible for Men.”
But one of my greatest privileges over the past 12 years has been witnessing the life-change in thousands of women, men and inmates who have implemented the same seven courageous steps God allowed me to walk through that began my amazing, courageous journey.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Whether we’re cashiers or CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need God’s love flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?
As a new believer, God began changing my “want-to’s” — but I didn’t fully grasp the role of God’s Spirit in my life at the time. Throughout my 20s and 30s, I regularly sensed God’s presence, and I became confident over time that I could turn to him anytime I needed help.
Take, for instance, the time my husband and my two best friends asked me to speak at their daughter’s funeral. My first thought was, “How in the world can I do this?” But I immediately sensed the Holy Spirit reminding me, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). So I prayed and said yes.
Just before the funeral, my friends asked me to share the goodbye letter they had written to their daughter the night before with the audience. I quickly agreed, but again, I had no clue how I was going to get through it without breaking down.
But God gave me supernatural courage as I stepped on stage in front of over 600 people to share my love, my memories, my sorrow and my friends’ beautiful letter. I will forever thank God for helping me face my fears that day so I could honor this special family and their very special daughter.
I think many believers begin their faith walk without a clear understanding of God’s Holy Spirit. As I came to know and understand God and his Word better, I learned to go to him for wisdom in all circumstances and situations — not just in times of great need.
Today, when I perceive God’s Spirit urging me to make a specific decision, go a certain way or avoid a particular person, place or thing, I always confirm what I sense by first going to God in prayer. Then I turn to Scripture, and if it’s a significant decision or opportunity, I share my thoughts with a trusted friend or spiritual mentor who gives me wise counsel.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
My favorite way to encounter God and grow stronger in my faith is to study and teach his Word. Nothing brings me more joy or fortifies my relationship with him more than preparing and sharing what I’ve learned about God and his Word with others.
I always have at least one teaching project going. Whether I am preparing to record a Bible study series for InTouch+ and Courage For Life or working on a new book, devotional or Bible Study for my publisher, I generally spend an hour or more each day in God’s Word and in communication with him. This practice grounds me in God’s truth and prepares me for any obstacle or challenge that might come my way.
When I am traveling and don’t have time to read or take notes in my print Bible, I love to listen to the Courage For Life Audio Bible that is beautifully voiced entirely by women. And when I am out for a walk, hike or bike ride, I love to listen to my favorite Christian artists, like Zach Williams, Casting Crowns, For King & Country and Lauren Daigle.
Romans 12:2 says, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (NLT). The more I deposit positive, uplifting content into my everyday life, the clearer my thoughts are and the better prepared I am to process any negativity and deception the world throws my way.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and changed your heart?
Kay Arthur greatly influenced my life and my teaching. In 2004, I began attending her Bible studies in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She had a powerful testimony, a deep love for the Bible and a passion to teach others the in-depth study of God’s Word. Not long after I began sitting under her teaching, God lit a fire in my soul to begin teaching as well. This was the catalyst that grounded me in Scripture and prepared me to reach, teach and minister to countless people around the world.
In 2012, when God led me to unpack my emotional baggage, I read a number of great books that inspired me to overcome and persevere. One such book was “Healing Is a Choice” by Stephen Arterburn. While reading this book, I embraced the truth that God rarely provides an instant fix to our problems — because that would do little to change our hearts or grow our characters.
That has been so very true for me. As I look back on my life journey, I can see clearly how God has used every tear, every tragedy and every triumph to mold me into the person I am today, and to prepare and propel me into the life he had planned for me.
Another book I love and learned a lot from is “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Peter Scazzero. In this book, on page 11, Peter says, “It wasn’t until the pain exposed how much was hiding under my surface of being a ‘good Christian’ that it hit me: whole layers of my emotional life had lain buried, untouched by God’s transforming power.” Again, I learned this powerful truth when God brought me to the place in my life where I had no choice but to uncover and begin healing my past pain and brokenness.
Certain things can be godsends, helping us survive, even thrive, in our fast-paced world. Does technology ever help you this way? Has an app ever boosted your spiritual growth? If so, how?
There are a number of helpful apps on the market today that support and encourage prayer and spiritual growth. For listening to Scripture, I use the Courage For Life Bible app. And for Bible study, I use the Filament App by Tyndale. I became familiar with Filament when I worked with them on publishing the Courage For Life Study Bibles.
Tyndale’s Filament Bible app pairs perfectly with the Courage For Life Bible (along with other Filament-enabled Bibles) and gives me access to study notes, profiles, devotionals, articles, interactive maps, videos and visual aids for any passage of Scripture I am studying. It’s like having a complete library of biblical resources right at my fingertips.
QUESTION #8: dream
God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
Many years ago, I heard someone say, “Life is an adventure when you surrender to God’s will.” And that’s exactly what I’ve experienced over the past 13 years. Once I stopped insisting that I go my own way and started seeking God’s will, wisdom, guidance and open doors, I’ve encountered, experienced and accomplished more than I could have ever dreamed of or imagined.
That certainly doesn’t mean that my life since that time has been easy or without challenges, mistakes and disappointments. But it does mean that had I not said yes to the opportunities God has given me, many of which I felt completely unqualified for, I would have missed out on so much!
In 2014, God opened a door for me to be a co-host on a Christian television talk show. I had no experience at that time being in front of a camera. But I trusted God to give me the courage, and that opportunity helped prepare me to launch a Bible teaching program and inspirational talk show for InTouch+ and Courage For Life.
When God gives us a calling or puts a dream in our hearts, we often feel unqualified or unprepared for the opportunity. But that’s right where God wants us to be! That way, we rely on his wisdom and power over our own, and we give him all the glory, honor and praise.
Ann is right. When we start trying to filter God’s will for us through whether or not we feel qualified, we miss out on many of the incredible experiences he has for us. In other words, we limit his impact in and through us.
But when we simply take him at his word and believe that he is more than enough for whatever comes our way, we gain access to a new level of power and intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
As Paul wrote, “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Cor. 1:26-29, ESV).
Where do you need to believe God is bigger, more powerful and more than enough for you right now?
Ann White is an internationally known author, speaker, TV Host, passionate Bible teacher, founder and CEO of Courage For Life, wife, mother and grandmother. Ann’s passion is to equip and encourage individuals from all walks of life to embrace their God-given courage for life. She believes God offers everyone an abundant life but that it is up to us to take hold of that promise. To that end, Ann writes, publishes and provides emotional health, discipleship and Bible study resources to help people grow in their relationships with God, themselves and others.