Episode Overview

Title: Cloudy with a Chance of Courage
Guest Speaker: Ashley Daugherty
Podcast: Victory Church: Paul Daugherty
Date: February 2, 2026

In this heartfelt and motivating message, Ashley Daugherty addresses the challenge of living courageously for Christ in a world full of competing voices, societal pressures, and the ever-present desire to please people. Centered around Galatians 1 and the theme of “resisting the current to people please,” Ashley implores listeners to take up their cross daily, seek God’s approval above all, and step courageously into their unique assignment as followers of Christ—even when “the world is cloudy.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Cross We’re Called to Carry (00:00–04:25)

• Ashley opens with Galatians 1, reminding believers they are disciples called to carry a cross, not just receive comfort.
• “If we really want to transform and become more like Christ, we can’t run from conviction because conviction brings transformation.” (A, 01:23)

2. People Pleasing vs. God Pleasing (05:01–11:49)

• Drawing from a childhood rom-com, Ashley illustrates that you “can't ride two horses with one saddle” (05:01), paralleling the impossibility of serving both God and seeking everyone’s approval.
• She highlights Galatians 1:10, where Paul makes it clear you must pick a lane: pleasing men or pleasing God.
• “I cannot be popular and be faithful.” (A, 06:51)

3. Forks in the Road: Everyday Choices (08:02–10:36)

• Moments of decision (“forks in the road”) occur at the polls, in parenting, in betrayal, unanswered prayers, and loss. True discipleship is seen in action, not just words.
• “It’s not just about speaking the words ‘I’m a God pleaser’—it’s about it showing up in the fruit of our lives.” (A, 08:59)

4. Holy Spirit Empowerment & Misconceptions (10:36–13:01)

• The Holy Spirit empowers us to please God, not to aid our people-pleasing tendencies.
• Referencing John Bevere, Ashley underscores that God loves us but doesn’t necessarily approve of all our choices—our standard for pleasing God must continually be renewed by scripture, not popular opinion.
• “When we’re not renewing our mind daily to what pleases God, we will forget what actually pleases God.” (A, 10:50)

5. The Offense of the Gospel & Displaying Our Cross (12:04–16:58)

• The truths of Christ are often confrontational and countercultural—the gospel isn’t meant to blend in.
• Carrying the cross should be evident in every part of life: generosity, family, the workplace, and life decisions.
• “Our cross is meant to be seen… in our families… carried into our workspaces… in decision making.” (A, 15:13)
• Affirmation and approval aren’t inherently bad but become problematic when they overshadow our desire to honor God.

6. Undercover Christianity & Public Witness (18:46–22:35)

• The message warns against “undercover Christianity”—being a believer in private but hiding faith publicly.
• “He says you are meant to be a light on a hill, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.” (A, 19:19)
• Ashley notes that true discipleship doesn’t avoid conflict with the world: “If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” (A quoting James 4:4, 21:29)

7. Owning Your Assignment (22:35–25:25)

• Every believer has a unique assignment in Christ’s body, regardless of being on church staff.
• “There is no scripture in the Bible that gives us permission to delegate our cross.” (A, 23:49)

8. Courage is Contagious—Don’t Just Rely on Others’ Boldness (24:42–26:05)

• Don’t just ride “on the coattails” of bold leaders or churches; stand up where God has called you.
• “What if you activate the seeds that have been planted in your heart to stand up in the spaces and places that God has called you to carry your cross?” (A, 26:05)

9. Ethics, Public Practice, and Daily Integrity (27:20–28:54)

• Ashley reflects on the difference between faith being quietly “on your sleeve” and it saturating all of life—not for show, but as real devotion.

10. Risk and Reward in Following Christ (29:34–33:24)

• The world says swimming upstream (taking a stand for Christ) is high risk, low reward; scripture says pleasing people is high risk, while pleasing God is the true, eternal reward.
• “Aiming to please people—that’s high risk if it means I’m not winning approval from my heavenly Father.” (A, 31:10)

11. Carrying the Cross: When it Gets Tough (32:17–35:23)

• Real-world illustrations of carrying the cross through parenting challenges and moments when reactions are tested.
• Encourages those weary or feeling the cost of discipleship that “loss” is not the same as “forfeit.” Showing up is what matters.

12. Decision Time: Salvation and Surrender (Altar Call) (35:23–44:51)

• Calls undecided listeners to choose Christ (“Indecision is no decision. It’s a high risk to leave your eternity in [the] balance” —A, 35:23).
• Repentance is essential; carrying shame is not carrying your cross—coming to Christ is.
• Courage is imparted through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.
• “If you want courage, you gotta believe that what God said, he means. What God says in his word, he will do.” (A, 39:10)

13. Balancing Boldness with Discernment (42:18–43:30)

• Carrying your cross doesn’t mean always speaking out or arguing; spiritual maturity means discerning when to be silent and when to speak up.
• “Carrying the cross is asking for discernment: do I speak up or do I shut up?” (A, 42:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On People Pleasing:
  “I cannot be popular and be faithful.” (A, 06:51)
• On Discipleship:
  “It’s not just about speaking the words ‘I’m a God pleaser’—it’s about it showing up in the fruit of our lives.” (A, 08:59)
• On God’s Standards:
  “God accepts us, he loves us, but it doesn’t mean he approves of our life.” (A, 10:48)
• On Living Openly:
  “We are not meant to be undercover Christians… He says you are meant to be a light on a hill, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.” (A, 19:19)
• On Assignment:
  “There is no scripture in the Bible that gives us permission to delegate our cross. Jesus didn’t get to delegate his cross. He had to carry his own cross. We do too.” (A, 23:49)
• On Risk:
  “Aiming to please people—that’s high risk if it means I’m not winning approval from my heavenly Father.” (A, 31:10)
• On Discernment:
  “Carrying the cross is asking for discernment: do I speak up or do I shut up?” (A, 42:22)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Highlight | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Introduction, Galatians 1, call to discipleship | | 06:19 | “You can’t win a race riding in two lanes”—Focus Scripture| | 13:22 | The confrontation of the gospel with culture | | 15:35 | Real talk on people pleasing and God’s approval | | 19:19 | “You are a city on a hill”—visibility of faith | | 21:15 | James 4:4 — Friendship with the world vs. God | | 23:53 | Personal and non-transferable nature of your cross | | 31:10 | “Risk miscalculation”—redefining risk as a believer | | 35:23 | Valley of decision: altar call for salvation/surrender | | 38:26 | Hebrews 12:2—Jesus endured the cross for the joy ahead | | 42:22 | Discernment in carrying the cross |

Conclusion

Ashley’s passionate sermon challenges believers to get honest about where they seek approval, who they serve, and whether the cross is at the center of their daily lives. Instead of living undercover or prioritizing popularity, followers of Christ are called to courageously, visibly, and consistently carry their cross—even in a “cloudy” world. The altar call invites those ready to break free from approval addiction, embrace their assignment, and walk boldly with Christ—ready to “pick a lane” and win the race set before them.

Takeaway:
“The world might be cloudy, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, there’s always a chance of courage.”