Victory Church: Paul Daugherty

Episode: Coffee & Convos | November Session
Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Ashley (Victory Church team)

Episode Overview

This special “Coffee & Convos” session, led by Ashley, centers on the theme of trusting God—especially when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. Throughout the episode, Ashley fosters a candid, conversational environment and invites attendees to reflect, discuss, and apply Scriptural truths about trust in both personal and group settings. The event is centered on connection, vulnerability, and spiritual growth, with practical exercises, personal stories, and scriptural application.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Welcoming Community & Acknowledging Effort

• Ashley opens with gratitude for attendees who made sacrifices to be present—those who took vacation days or overcame personal hurdles.
• She acknowledges “coming out of hiding”—the emotional effort it takes to join community, especially for anyone feeling isolated or hesitant.
• Quote (01:05):

  “Whatever obstacle and hurdle you had to jump to be here this morning, it will be worth it.”
  —Ashley

The Importance of Purposeful Conversation

• Ashley emphasizes the life-changing power of meaningful, purposeful conversation as opposed to shallow interactions, noting that authentic dialogue leads to transformation, conviction, and discipleship.
• She reassures guests that both surface-level and deep conversations have their place, but vulnerability and honesty can take us further spiritually.
• Quote (04:09):

  “One of the best gifts that I could give you is to create space for purposeful conversation.”
  —Ashley

Setting the Theme: Trusting God

• The core topic is trusting God—why it's necessary, how it challenges us, and what it produces.
• Trusting God is presented as an invitation to experience peace—a peace that is firm, transcending feelings or circumstances.
• Quote (07:45):

  “You know, a conversation about trust really is a deeper invitation to experience the peace of God—where a feeling cannot steal it, where a circumstance cannot steal it.”
  —Ashley

The Struggle with Understanding and Control

• Ashley notes that a significant source of confusion comes from our constant need to understand everything; sometimes this becomes an obstacle to trust.
• She describes how control and overthinking block our ability to experience God’s love and peace.
• Quote (14:00):

  “Could a lot of our confusion come from trying to understand everything?...We spend so much time in our desire to understand that we actually become more confused.”
  —Ashley

Testimonies & Personal Stories

• Ashley shares personal experiences about feeling peace despite outward circumstances, such as praying for her mother's healing and wrestling with not knowing the outcome.
• She highlights seasons of her life where trusting God led to unexpected joy and peace, even when the situation did not resolve as hoped.
• Quote (35:55):

  “When I was praying for my mom to get healed...I honestly did not know if she was going to get healed on this side of eternity or the other side...the results are up to you, God. My part is to trust.”
  —Ashley

Parenting and Trust

• New challenges come with parenting ("a greater level of fear"), but also new opportunities to trust God with things outside of her control.
• She recounts personal moments with her children that led to deeper lessons about leaning on prayer and faith rather than anxiety or control.

Recognizing and Responding to Opportunities for Trust

• Ashley describes “spying opportunities to trust God in the wild”—learning to see moments in everyday life as invitations to trust, rather than automatically running to worry, Google, or friends first.
• She warns against co-dependency on friends or experts before seeking God’s wisdom.

Removing Shame and Embracing Authenticity

• Trusting God can be difficult, and honestly admitting areas of struggle is freeing, not shameful.
• Longtime Christians and new believers alike are encouraged to “take off the mask” and share their struggles in community.
• Quote (28:30):

  “It does not mean that I have walked away from the Lord because it’s hard to trust God…just because I’ve been walking with the Lord for 20 plus years, I can still have a seat at the table and be honest.”
  —Ashley

Scripture & Practical Tools

• The group is prompted to share Scriptures that have anchored their trust, with a focus on Proverbs 3:5-6:

  “Trust and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart. Do not rely on your own insight or understanding.” (Amplified Bible)

• Attendees reflect on how to personally and practically apply this verse to specific situations in their lives.

Control as a Barrier to Trust

• Ashley addresses the issue of control—admitting to being a “recovering control freak”—and its role as a common obstacle to trusting God.
• She encourages surrender and reliance on God, not just personal effort, as the way to true peace and progress.
• Quote (47:20):

  “Controlling is a hindrance to our ability to trust in God.”
  —Ashley

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Community’s Value (01:15):

  “Today was my day to come out of hiding. Can we give a round of applause for those who came out of hiding that are anonymous right now?”
  —Ashley

• On Waiting on God (19:38):

  “We can sing ‘wait on God’ in a matter of seconds, but what it looks like to wait on God takes some time. It takes conscious effort to trust.”
  —Ashley

• On Parenting & Fear (25:52):

  “When I became a mom...I also stepped into another level of fears that I didn’t even know were possible. [But] there’s also an invitation to give into another level of trust.”
  —Ashley

• On Prayer and Childlike Faith (32:08):

  “My six-year-old has really grabbed onto prayer—saying ‘Hello Holy Spirit’ in the car. That is what it means to trust in God: when we pray to God, He hears us.”
  —Ashley

Guided Conversation Questions (Timestamps for Each Segment)

• [44:35] Question 1:
  “What’s something you’re trusting God with right now? Or maybe what’s something you need to start trusting him with again?”
• [46:50] Question 2:
  “When you think back on moments when you chose to trust God or when you struggled to—what’s the testimony or the lesson that came from it?”
• [51:05] Question 3:
  “Are there Scripture verses that have helped you personally when it comes to trusting in God?”
• [55:25] Question 4:
  “How would you apply Proverbs 3:5-6 to your current situation or person you are trusting God with?”

Application and Response

Participants are encouraged to:

• Reflect personally and within their tables, connecting the message to their own lives.
• Process and journal about what it would look like to specifically apply Scripture to their current need or struggle.
• Stand in worship as a sign of surrender; pray for and with one another, reinforcing the message in community.

Closing Reflections

Ashley reiterates:

• Trusting God is never wasted or lazy; it’s an active, sometimes uncomfortable choice that leads to the kind of peace and direction only God can provide.
• The journey is ongoing; everyone—no matter how long they’ve been walking with God—faces moments of difficulty and doubt.
• The ultimate goal is a firmer, more intimate, and more joyful reliance on God that overflows into the life of the church and beyond.

Suggested Action Steps

• Take the conversation further—connect with someone from your table for coffee, prayer, or ongoing support.
• Lean into vulnerability and continue purposeful, faith-centered conversations beyond organized events.
• Apply Proverbs 3:5-6 in daily decision-making and relationships, using it as a touchstone in moments of uncertainty.

Tone:
Encouraging, vulnerable, warm, conversational, and Biblically grounded—Ashley’s leadership sets a tone of authenticity, prompting honesty with ourselves, with God, and with our community.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In:
This episode offers a deep dive into the heart challenges of trusting God, especially in uncertain or fearful seasons. Through communal reflection, personal testimony, biblical wisdom, and guided discussion, you’ll walk away with clarity, encouragement, and practical steps for anchoring your trust in God—no matter what life hands you.