Seven years ago was the start of a difficult time for my wife and I from which we have slowly been recovering.

In January of 2010 I lost my job. In February of 2011, while I was still unemployed and looking for work, my wife lost her job.

Over the course of that time we went through nearly all of our savings. With enough money to get us through just two or three more months we recognized we had to put our house on the market before we lost that as well.

The market was slow. We began to visit with the appropriate people about potential foreclosure, short sale, and whatever other options we might have. Fortunately, at the very bottom of the housing market, we were able to sell before we were foreclosed on.

A home which once had a large amount of equity built up was now down, literally, to almost nothing back to us in the sale. From a financial perspective we were starting over from scratch. Home ownership was not in the immediate future for us.

Emotionally, it was one of the most difficult times of my life. As a man it was my duty to provide for my family. I was no longer able to do that. I had failed.

This had been our dream home. We had it built to our specifications. I had the mirror in the master bath made extra high so I wouldn’t have to bend over every morning to make sure I looked presentable when I went out for the day. I had the shower head in the master bath raised up extra high so the stream wouldn’t hit me in the stomach all the time.

Our home was an anchor for our family. It was filled with so many memories, happy and sad. We had envisioned our kids bringing their spouses and grandchildren for Christmas and other special events.

Now, that wasn’t going to happen.

For the past several years we have been blessed to rent a very nice home from some friends.On occasion my wife and I would discuss whether or not we would own a home again. There are some very nice benefits to renting!

Financially, we have recovered enough to be able to afford a home again. It won’t be as big as what we once had, but, we have also learned we don’t need as much either.

We have been looking at homes for a couple of months now. About a month ago there were two homes that piqued our interest.

As we talked about whether or not we should make an offer on these two homes I became very aware of a troubling emotion around what should be a fun and exciting life event. I am experiencing a great deal of fear about moving forward with buying a home.

The past experience of just a few years ago is messing with my mind.

What if it happens again? It was hard enough to go through the first time. I don’t want to go through that a second time!

Our experiences from the past can have either a positive or a negative impact on our today and tomorrow.

If I wasn’t making a living now talking about fear and courage I’m not sure I would even have the awareness of how those events of a few years ago are impacting me today.

When we find the right house I know it’s going to take some courage on my part to sign on the dotted line.

You can say a prayer for me on this one!

How about you?

Is there an experience from your past that is holding you back?

Maybe you’re not even aware of it – yet.

Have the courage to explore why you aren’t doing something that you want, or need, to do.

Have the courage to overcome the fear of your past experiences! I’m working on mine!

Philippians 3:13-14

Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!

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