Last night on my iphone I accidentally deleted a file called “Courageous Living” a list of eight ways to live courageously. I went to sleep thinking “How do I retrieve it?”
I’m a Boomer – an old dog who sometimes struggles to learn new tricks. I don’t use Evernote, I just use Notepad. I’ve got 96 notes with titles like “Courageous Living” in Notepad. But Notepad is a creaky old app that makes it very easy to delete your files.
Notepad is stored in the cloud. My only hope was to go to another device that hadn’t synced yet – my computer or my ipad.
This morning I woke up and turned off my wifi on my computer before checking my notes. But, too late – it had synced and the file was already erased.
I had one more shot – my ipad. Thankfully, its battery had run down and it hadn’t synced yet. I recharged it 4% then took it outside far from the house wifi connection and opened notepad. Lo and behold, there it was, the old version!
The whole misadventure cost me a half an hour of my morning. In an epoch of fear, I had lost my courage for the night and got it back in the morning.
Our enemy would prefer that you live in fear. Fear is the cheapest room in the hotel. God would like to see you living in better conditions. To combat fear, we need to embrace a strategy of courageous living.
Here is the list I retrieved (inspired by David Whyte). I submit it to you. How have you or will you live courageously in this season of fear?
Courageous living
- See reality – this takes courage when we don’t like the facts.
- Take responsibility – it’s easier to be passive.
- Stop hiding – lockdowns keep us isolated.
- Have the conversation you dread – you know which one.
- Touch the thing you fear – touching it will diminish its power.
- Touch those who hurt – many people are in worse shape than you.
- Practice wholehearted living – you are at your best that way.
- Live out of purpose – Covid has sapped our purpose, let’s find it again.
Let me encourage you to choose one of these strategies and share how you will implement it as we emerge from our homes into a new world.
Seth,
I’m glad you found your courage and shared it. They are all great steps towards overcoming fear. I commit to having a conversation with a loved one which I have dreaded but know is needed.
I love “Fear is the cheapest room in the hotel’. So true and we’re all looking for a bargain instead of setting our sites higher.
I like that one too. Feel the fear and keep walking.
Old dogs rule! LOL
Hi Seth – good to have your courage back.
Perfect love casts out ALL fear. I love that, and if I’m honest, I hate it too. ‘Cause it doesn’t feel very comfortable when Jesus is in the temple of your soul driving out the “merchants” with a whip. He is relentless. He will not stop until it’s all driven out. Thank the Lord.
Learning from the book of “Ruth”, when I focus on ‘redemption’ and ‘spiritual generations’ fear is replaced by ‘hope’.
Let us know how that conversation goes!
Amen – thank goodness he is relentless. We need the help!
I didn’t see fear in this post! I saw how God always have our back! Restoration was already made available. It was just a little dark before the morning came. I’m reminded that when I have worked really hard on a project and I thought I saved it then it doesn’t save and everything is gone. I have to start over…turns out the 2nd time around ends up being a better product. I’m reminded through this blog that even when I fear of making the wrong decision God is right there to make them right or re-direct me! I just keep praying for grace & mercy!
This is so good Seth. Faith and fear cannot coexist. And God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear but love, power and a sound mind. Just was with Larry Ross in Dallas. Love you.
These are really good! I read a great quote this weekend from Susan David. She said, “courage is fear walking.” I like that!