Courageously Uncomfortable

Author: Lisa J. Goins
Genre: Christian Living/Self-Help

When the real woman you want to be is on the other side of fear. 

How do you step out of a life that’s comfortable and into the life God intended for you to live? Thee sort of life that’s full of honest relationships, heart-felt conversations, and renewed purpose? You have to find the courage to be uncomfortable. You realize it’s not all about you, it’s about others, and you decide to show up for your life, not just for yourself, for them.
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And you don’t show up as the edited version, the one taken in portrait mode with a forced smile and reality blurred in the background. You show up like an unfiltered pic on Instagram, no face tuning allowed! And here is the good news: it’s okay to show up imperfect. Let’s expose our flaws together and admit we eat the brownie batter straight from the bowl! It’s time to bring every battered, broken, and insecure piece of our lives out of hiding from behind the two words that have been holding us back: I’m fine.

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Reviewer: Jessica G.

Courageously Uncomfortable is a call for Christian women to step up. It was easy to read and follow; a light read, but still practical.

The author took examples from the Bible, looking at the women in the line of Christ. She brought out aspects and lessons from them I'd never really thought of before, which was really cool. She also shares openly her struggles and insecurities to illustrate, which made for an authentic and relatable read. Her testimony got me excited about stepping out.

Each chapter had thought provoking discussion questions to further drive the point home and encourage application. It would be perfect for small group study too.

I was challenged by 'Courageously Uncomfortable' to view being comfortable as an enemy of growth. God wants to do a mighty work through us but it's going to to take being uncomfortable. We've got to take risks and step out.

As one of my favourite quotes from the book says, "When it’s hard, we can recognize He is working IN us because He needs us to grow. When something amazing happens, He is working FOR us to remind us He is good. And when it’s uncomfortable, He is probably working THROUGH us for the benefit of other people" (Courageously Uncomfortable, page 201).

I would recommend Courageously Uncomfortable to anyone who wants to grow spiritually and socially, anyone who struggles with social anxiety or fear of what people think, and anyone who wants encouragement to follow God's call for their life.

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

Lisa gives us a transparent and heartfelt look at the life of a pastor’s wife—struggles and triumphs written with insight and a dose of humor.

There is a lesson to be learned from each of the four women in the lineage of Jesus, and I found this book to be informative and helpful. Each topic had me examining myself, particularly the following two quotes:

“What if Rahab’s inability to get beyond her messy past kept her focused on herself and therefore condemned not only her life but those of her entire family to death? What if...I don’t like the ‘what if’ game. I would rather be courageously uncomfortable and have a lot of oops in my life that remain comfortable and constantly wonder ‘what if?’”

“Someone somewhere is going to be grateful you made a way instead of making an excuse.”

Wow! I can mess up and still be of use to God. A great reminder that when we take our eyes off ourselves and how we feel—become “Courageously Uncomfortable” God is waiting and prepared to move us into His perfect plan for our lives.

This book was encouraging yet pointed and I highly recommend it. 

It was given to me as a review copy. This is my personal and honest review. 

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