When God Leads, Courage Follows
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." –Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
When God leads, Courage follows. I repeat, WHEN GOD LEADS, COURAGE FOLLOWS!
That was more of a reminder to myself than it was to you, but I hope it sticks with you like that song you can’t get out of your head. Especially if you’re the type of person who sometimes get’s lost in the sauce. That sauce being life, and you, getting lost about what to do with it. We all know that we’re meant for something more. No matter how life comes at us, how we suffer, or how our circumstances change, there’s something deep inside of ourselves that tell us that we are meant to use our lives for something. To make a difference. But for whatever reason, it can be so hard to figure out what that is.
I want you to try something right now. Think it over. I know, you’ve already wracked your mind about what it could be and possibly came up with nothing. But let’s recap the past to try and understand the present.
Let’s say that Satan was successful in making you the complete opposite of who you’d be in Christ, then who do you think that Christlike version of yourself would be? Probably a version that seems a little too far-fetched, right? Something you’ve only ever dreamed of being. And let’s acknowledge that Jesus is sovereign, even over Satan, which only means that any deeply internalized flaws, thoughts, and habits were just things you were meant to overcome and master through Christ, therefore creating the person you were always meant to be.
Realizing this would reveal your identity in Christ, which is the first major part to stepping into your purpose. This is why Spiritual Connection with the Lord is so important. It anchors your identity and connects you to the only one who can guide you through the life He designed for you.
Now, don’t stress if you didn’t figure out what you are supposed to do with your entire life after those first few paragraphs. This is just to get you thinking, or even better, give you a little hope that better is coming. But only if you walk towards it. You aren’t your bad habits, and you aren’t anything you’ve internalized from past traumas, but in fact, you are the opposite. So, if you haven’t already, seek the Lord so that you can start becoming who He already said you were. The way I see it, is that we’re just shedding off the identity that was created by pain and the world, and blooming as the royal children of God.
Need a visual? Imagine a prince who wandered away from his kingdom and ended up living on the streets. Over time, he became covered in dirt, wore tattered clothes, and looked nothing like royalty. The people who once knew him as a clean, well-dressed prince wouldn't even recognize him anymore. But here's the thing—his circumstances never changed his identity. He was still a prince. It wasn't until he returned home, cleaned himself up, got a haircut, and put on his royal garments again that everyone could see who he had been all along. The transformation didn't make him a prince; it simply revealed the prince he already was.
In this example…you’re the prince—or princess.
But you’re also the people.
Once you understand who you are in Christ, you'll begin to understand what it is you're called to do. Your purpose won't be something you have to force or chase down—it will be something you naturally grow into as you continue walking with the Lord. In fact, you'll probably realize that He's been developing a passion for it in your heart all along. More often than not, your purpose will involve helping people who are struggling with the very things He brought you through. You'll recognize pieces of your old self in them, and because of what God has done in your life, you'll be equipped to help guide them toward Him. And in the end, that's what purpose is all about: glorifying God. After all, who was it that transformed you in the first place?
Now, let’s say that you already have an idea of your identity in Christ. You know God has more for your life, but fear, uncertainty, and a lack of spiritual direction are keeping you from confidently walking in His purpose.
This is where courage comes in.
Do you think I'm the bravest person? You're reading this blog post and probably assuming that I'm comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings with the world. After all, I've published books, built an online business, competed in Spartan races, and spend every day trying to walk the narrow path Christ has called me to walk. From the outside, that might look like bravery. But the truth is, I'm 31 years old, and before Christ, fear ruled over much of my adult life. In many ways, it's still something the Lord is working on in me today. Fear is a natural part of being human, and as long as we're growing, there will likely be new opportunities to trust God in spite of it. The difference now isn't that I'm no longer afraid—it's that I'm learning not to let fear make my decisions for me.
I'm working on Spiritfyt, and honestly, it often feels much bigger than me. There are times when I question the process of building it because the vision seems so large that I start feeling inadequate. That's usually when I find myself stuck. I struggle to apply certain biblical principles to my own life, I second-guess myself, I lack confidence at times, and I worry about making the wrong decisions—especially after taking so many wrong turns before finding my way here. The one thing I am certain of is that Spiritfyt is a purpose I walked into after spending years trying to evolve from a broken version of myself into the person God created me to be.
Yes, I am the founder of Spiritfyt—a framework that empowers people to develop personal accountability, spiritual discipline, and intentional habits that lead to growth, purpose, and elevation in every area of life. But that doesn't mean I don't struggle from time to time. The truth is, there are seasons when I get into a groove and start relying on myself more than I rely on God. It's never intentional because, deep down, I'd rather have His guidance than my own. But when my focus drifts, I begin to lose clarity. My purpose becomes blurry, fear starts creeping in, and the courage I once had begins to fade. When that happens, I know exactly what I need to do: go back to the S. in the Spiritfyt Framework. I need to set my sights back on God, strengthen my Spiritual Connection, and allow Him to realign me with the path He has already laid before me.
Commercial break—If you’re interested in learning more about the Spiritfyt Framework, check out my Spiritfyt Guide: The Foundation of Becoming Spiritfyt: Transform From The Inside Out.
Anyways, once I'm realigned, the path becomes clear and I get a major boost in courage. I'm pretty sure I've said this in another blog post, but I love feeling like a giant. Not in an arrogant way, but in the sense that I feel capable of taking on whatever God has placed in front of me. The fears don't necessarily disappear, and the challenges don't suddenly become smaller. Spiritfyt still feels bigger than me. The vision is still massive. The responsibility still feels heavy. The difference is that when I'm walking closely with God, I stop measuring the size of the assignment against my own abilities. Instead, I measure it against His. That's where the courage comes from. It's not because I suddenly believe I'm strong enough, smart enough, or qualified enough to accomplish everything on my own. It's because I remember who is leading me.
When I include God in the process, I feel just as big and capable as the purpose He's called me to pursue because I know I'm not carrying it alone. Courage isn't the absence of fear—it's the confidence that comes from knowing God is with me. And when I remember that, I stop focusing on everything that could go wrong and start focusing on the One who can make the impossible possible.
As Ethan Stroud says in Episode Three of Spiritfyt: Spiritual Connection: "And remember this: Clarity comes before courage, but obedience triumphs over both. Whether you move forward through Spiritfyt or decide this path isn't yours to walk, make sure your next step is guided by God. Follow His plan, obey His Word, and you'll find yourself brave enough to do anything."
At first glance, it may sound like a motivational speech. But for the candidates gathered at the Ascension Grounds, it was much more than that. It was a warning.
The road to becoming a Spirit Warrior wasn't glamorous. It wasn't safe. And it certainly wasn't guaranteed.
As Sergeant Stroud addresses the recruits, he makes it clear that they are not stepping into an age of peace. The Arkfall Event has changed everything. Darkness is spreading, demons are becoming bolder, and Zion Prime needs defenders more than ever. The recruits are told upfront that their lives are not guaranteed—not even during training.
Most people would hear that and run the other direction.
Thunder Halo doesn't.
If you've read the first two episodes, you already know why. Thunder isn't chasing adventure, power, or recognition. After everything she endured in Sanctora, after the healing God began in her life, she believes with every fiber of her being that this is what she was created to do. For the first time, her identity, purpose, and faith all point in the same direction.
And that's what gives her courage.
Not confidence in herself, but confidence in God.
Thunder believes that if the Lord has called her to become a Spirit Warrior, then nothing can stop His plan. The dangers are real. The risks are real. But so is her faith. Because she fears the Lord more than she fears failure, pain, or even death, she finds the strength to move forward when others would hesitate.
But that doesn't mean the battle gets easier.
In fact, her greatest battle is still ahead.
In Episode Four: Voices in the Dark, Thunder faces a trial unlike anything she has encountered before. Trapped within a dimension inside her own mind, she comes face-to-face with a shadow version of herself—a manifestation of every insecurity, fear, and painful memory she tries to leave behind.
The shadow knows her weaknesses. It knows her doubts. And it knows exactly where to strike.
As the battle intensifies, Thunder is forced to confront the fears she thought she had already overcome. The question becomes: will she trust the lies of the darkness, or will she trust the God who called her?
What happens next reveals one of the most important lessons in the entire Spiritfyt journey: courage isn't found by looking within yourself. It's found by including God in the battle.
And that's only one example of Thunder's faith.
As the series continues, you'll watch her face impossible odds, spiritual warfare, crushing setbacks, and moments that test everything she believes. You'll see victories, failures, growth, and transformation. Most importantly, you'll discover what happens when an ordinary young woman decides to trust God with every step of her journey.
So, if you're wondering whether God can use someone who struggles with fear, doubt, insecurity, or a painful past, Thunder Halo's story might be exactly what you need to read next.
You can find the biweekly episodes of Spiritfyt: Spiritual Connection on The Spiritfyt Blog or subscribe through BookFunnel to receive the released episodes. Once you subscribe, the journey is yours to follow.
I'm hoping that the Spiritfyt episodes have encouraged you to include God in every area of your life, not just during the difficult seasons, but in your daily decisions, relationships, goals, and purpose as well. When we invite Him into all things, He provides clarity for the path ahead, strengthens us to walk it, and develops us into the people He created us to be. If you're still wondering what that looks like in practice, Scripture provides several powerful examples of men and women who included God in their journey and discovered that His guidance was greater than their fears. Here are a few biblical examples for further understanding:
1. Joshua Leading Israel
Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9
Before Joshua ever displayed courage, God told him exactly what to do.
"Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan..." (Joshua 1:2, ESV)
God clarified Joshua's mission, promised His presence, and only then commanded him to be strong and courageous.
Lesson: Joshua didn't become courageous and then receive clarity. He received clarity first, and courage followed.
2. Gideon Defeating the Midianites
Scripture: Judges 6
Gideon was hiding in a winepress when God called him.
"The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor." (Judges 6:12, ESV)
God revealed Gideon's identity and purpose before Gideon ever acted bravely. Gideon actually responded with fear and questions.
Only after God clarified who he was and what he was called to do did Gideon find the courage to lead Israel.
Lesson: Knowing who God says you are produces courage.
3. David Facing Goliath
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17
David's courage wasn't based on his own strength.
He had clarity about:
Who God was
Who he was
What God had already done
"The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me..." (1 Samuel 17:37, ESV)
David remembered God's faithfulness before stepping onto the battlefield.
Lesson: Courage grows when you remember what God has already proven.
Conclusion
If there's one thing I want you to take away from this article, it's this: When God leads, courage follows.
Not because fear disappears. Not because the path suddenly becomes easy. Not because you finally feel qualified. Courage comes when you stop relying solely on yourself and start trusting the One who already knows the way.
Throughout this article, we've seen a pattern repeated over and over again. Joshua received direction before courage. Gideon received identity before courage. David remembered God's faithfulness before courage. In each case, God provided clarity first. Then came obedience. Then came courage.
The same is true for us.
You don't need to have your entire life figured out today. You don't need to know every step of the journey. You simply need to include God in the next step. As you continue walking with Him, He will reveal more, strengthen your faith, and develop you into the person He created you to be. That's exactly why Spiritual Connection is the foundation of the Spiritfyt Framework—it keeps us connected to the source of our clarity, courage, and purpose. As you pursue the identity Christ has given you and walk in obedience to His calling, you'll discover that the life you were searching for was found in Him all along.
If you've enjoyed the examples from Spiritfyt: Spiritual Connection, remember that Thunder Halo's journey is only beginning. Her story is filled with spiritual warfare, difficult choices, victories, failures, growth, and transformation. You'll watch her wrestle with fear, learn obedience, strengthen her faith, and discover what happens when an ordinary person trusts God with extraordinary assignments. You can find the biweekly episodes on the Spiritfyt Blog or subscribe through BookFunnel to receive released episodes as they become available.
And if you're ready to apply the Spiritfyt Framework to your own life, consider checking out the Spiritfyt Health Coaching DIY Package. This self-guided resource was created to help you build personal accountability, spiritual discipline, intentional habits, and sustainable health practices that support growth in every area of life. Whether your goal is improving your health, strengthening your mindset, increasing consistency, or becoming more intentional in your daily walk with God, the package is designed to help you take practical action while keeping Christ at the center of the process.
PRAYER
Father,
Thank You for never leaving me to navigate life on my own. Thank You for providing clarity when I feel confused, strength when I feel weak, and courage when fear tries to take hold of me. Help me to include You in every area of my life—not just during difficult seasons, but in my daily decisions, relationships, goals, and purpose.
Lord, reveal more of the identity You have given me through Christ. Help me recognize the areas where I have been relying on my own understanding instead of trusting Your guidance. Teach me to walk in obedience even when I feel uncertain, knowing that Your plans are greater than my fears.
Strengthen my Spiritual Connection with You so that I may hear Your voice more clearly, follow Your direction more faithfully, and become the person You created me to be. Give me the courage to take the next step You have placed before me, trusting that You will equip me for every assignment You call me to fulfill.
May my life bring glory to You, and may everything I do point others toward Your goodness, faithfulness, and love.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
EPISODE FOUR: VOICES IN THE DARK
Sanctora.
Even now, knowing what would become of it, the sight stole my breath away.
Night had settled over the city, but Sanctora never truly slept.
The Ark Sphere stretched across the horizon like a sea of crystal stars, its immense glass dome reflecting countless lights from the city below. Beyond the barrier, the heavens glittered with constellations, while beneath it, Sanctora shone like a jewel against the darkness. Towering residential buildings rose toward the dome, their windows glowing warmly like lanterns. Gardens draped from balconies and rooftops, illuminated by soft blue and gold lights that made the hanging vines seem almost magical.
Elevated railways traced ribbons of light through the city, their passing transports leaving luminous streaks in the air. From a distance, the entire city looked less like a place people lived and more like a constellation brought down from the sky.
People filled the streets. Children chased one another beneath glowing streetlamps. Families gathered around outdoor cafés lit by strings of lanterns. Street musicians played beneath illuminated archways while vendors sold food from brightly decorated stalls. Laughter drifted through the cool evening air alongside the scent of fresh bread, roasted meats, and sweet pastries.
Everywhere I looked, people were living their lives completely unaware of how fragile it all truly was. Back then, Sanctora still believed tomorrow was guaranteed.
I remembered walking those streets, and I remembered the laughter. The festivals. The summer markets that stayed open long after sunset. The church bells that echoed through the city every Sunday morning.
I remembered looking up through the dome at the endless stars beyond and imagining all the worlds that might exist out there. On clear nights, it felt as though heaven itself was watching over us.
For so long, those memories had felt distant. Like fragments of a dream. But now I stood in the middle of them once again, and everything was exactly as I remembered.
Exactly as it had been.
Only moments before the Ark fell, and my life changed forever.
The stars vanished, and the beautiful memories of Sanctora shattered like glass.
The peaceful streets. The laughter. The cafés. The music…
It was all gone, and in their place came screams.
The sky darkened as alarms erupted across the city. Red emergency lights flashed from every building. People poured into the streets in a panic, shoving past one another as they looked toward the Ark Dome overhead.
Cracks.
Thousands of them.
Jagged black fractures spread across the glass like a disease, consuming the light above. Then came the roar from the Dreadborn.
The colossal demon emerged from the darkness beyond the dome, its massive silhouette blotting out the stars. Every step shook the city. Buildings trembled, and windows exploded. The sound alone felt powerful enough to crush hope.
I remembered standing there. Frozen. Terrified. Helpless.
The Dreadborn struck the dome, and the entire world shattered.
Glass rained from the sky like a deadly storm as sections of the Ark collapsed. People disappeared beneath falling debris, while others were swallowed by darkness as demons poured into the city through the breach.
Then there were the screams. I still remembered the screams.
Mothers searched for their children, as children cried for their parents. Spirit Warriors gave their lives to buy civilians a few more moments. And there was the smell of smoke, fire, and death.
I squeezed my eyes shut, but the memories didn't stop. The scene blurred, and days became weeks, then weeks became months.
The burning city disappeared, replaced by endless ruins.
The survivors called it reconstruction.
I called it survival.
The old Sanctora was gone, and all that remained was rubble.
I looked down at my younger self, covered in dust and sweat. Working until my hands bled.
Every day began before sunrise and ended long after dark. We hauled debris, repaired infrastructure, rebuilt walls, and cleared bodies.
And we did it under watch. The Ark leaders called it civic service.
Everyone else called it what it was. Slavery.
The city needed rebuilding, and people like me paid the price.
I remembered collapsing into bed every night with muscles so sore I could barely move. I remembered waking up and doing it all again. I remembered the hunger, the exhaustion, and the hopelessness.
Most of all, I remembered how I felt. Like my life no longer belonged to me.
I wasn't living. I was existing.
I was just one more worker among thousands. One more body carrying stone.
And every time I thought things couldn't get worse...
They did.
The memory shifted again. I wish I could say that after the Ark fell, I became stronger, but I didn't. I became angry, bitter, and broken. Every day was a fight to survive, and the worst part wasn't battling Devourers—it was becoming a portal for them. I still remembered the first time one emerged from my spirit, born from exhaustion, hopelessness, and the darkness I carried inside. The shame nearly destroyed me. People feared me, judged me, and sometimes treated me like I was the demon. The more I hated myself, the more room I gave darkness to grow, trapping me in a cycle I couldn't escape.
I fought Devourers constantly, but I was also fighting the person I was becoming. Hunger, fear, and pain turned me into someone I barely recognized. I stole when I was desperate, lashed out when I was hurt, and sometimes became the bully I once feared. Hurting others never made me feel better for long, but in those moments it distracted me from my own wounds. The faces of the people I had wronged stayed with me—people I judged, ignored, or pushed aside because I was too consumed by my own suffering to see theirs. Looking back, that remorse hurt more than any demon attack ever could.
That was the hardest truth to face: many of the accusations the darkness hurled at me weren't entirely lies. I had failed people. I had hurt people. I had become someone I never wanted to be. Yet even then, God had not abandoned me. Despite every mistake, every failure, and every ugly chapter of my story, He still led me here—to Zion Prime, to Spiritfyt, to this trial, to this moment. And in that realization, a light broke through the darkness. My story was never ultimately about who I had been; it was about who God was transforming me into.
As if invisible to the version of myself I had been only a two years ago, I questioned if I had truly changed. Could I really be that different in such a short amount of time? I trained myself as best as I could while relying on God to water and grow me, but it just seemed a bit unrealistic. When I turned to God, I was in Sanctora, and with little resources and a tattered bible, I did the best I could to start working on myself. My second year of change was spent in Zion Prime, where resources were easier to come by, but the process of getting myself back together was the same.
Maybe it was possible with the Lord, but on my own, it may have taken so much longer. So, I chose to believe that I did change. And that change was drastic.
Still, seeing my younger self sitting on a worn twin mattress in the corner of a crumbling home, trying to read Scripture using the moonlight that shined in through the hole in the ceiling, something stirred deep within me.
Then the whispers came.
At first they were faint. Barely noticeable. You're pretending. People don't change that much. You're still the same person. I frowned, trying to focus on the girl reading her Bible, but more voices joined in. You're still angry. Still selfish. Still weak. Remember when you stole? Remember when you hurt people? Remember when you became a portal? The accusations multiplied until they crawled over one another in an endless flood. Failure. Hypocrite. Coward. Fraud. Worthless. Broken. Unwanted.
I pressed my hands against my ears, but it didn't help. The whispers weren't around me. They were inside me. Growing louder and louder until they drowned out every thought I tried to hold onto. God can't use someone like you. You're only fooling yourself. The people in Zion Prime don't know who you really are. If they did, they'd abandon you. My breathing quickened as the room seemed to shrink around me. The image of my younger self blurred beneath the weight of every fear, regret, and insecurity I had spent years trying to bury. And beneath it all, I felt something worse than shame. I felt recognition, because every voice sounded familiar. Every accusation had once come from my own mouth. Every lie had once been something I believed. As the whispers threatened to consume me, I realized this trial wasn't showing me my past. It was revealing the battlefield that still existed inside my mind.
My vision momentarily glitched before I noticed a dark figure standing tall behind my past self, completely unnoticed. The whispers that had once echoed from every direction were now blending together, flowing from the figure itself. I clenched my teeth, suddenly feeling as though I were in danger. Then the figure closed its fists, and the whispers became deafening. Without warning, it lunged. I barely ducked as a dark fist flew over my head, shattering the wall behind me and sending debris across the room. Instinct took over. I drove my shoulder into its chest and tackled it through the side of the building, glass exploding around us as we plummeted toward the streets below.
The shadow twisted in midair and slammed its elbow into my back. Pain shot through my body as we crashed onto the roof of a nearby structure. Before I could recover, it was already on me. We traded blows across the rooftop, fists colliding and kicks flying, each strike fueled by years of anger, shame, and self-hatred. The shadow fought like it knew every move I would make—because it did. It was me. A spinning kick caught my ribs, forcing me to stumble backward, but I planted my hands on the ground and flipped away from its next attack. Rolling to my feet, I charged forward again, and we collided in another flurry of punches and counters, neither of us able to gain the upper hand.
The fight carried us from rooftop to rooftop. We leaped across gaps, vaulted railings, climbed walls, and pushed our bodies to their limits using every ounce of strength and agility we possessed. Yet no matter how many times I knocked the shadow down, it always rose again. The whispers grew louder with every passing moment. Failure. Coward. Weak. Worthless. The words hammered against my mind until a fist slammed into my jaw and sent me skidding across the rooftop. As I lay there, the shadow slowly approached. For the first time, fear crept into my chest.
Then I remembered something important. This wasn't how I won battles anymore. I closed my eyes, folded my trembling hands, and prayed. “Lord, I can't defeat this on my own.” The shadow laughed, but I ignored it. “You brought me this far. You carried me through Sanctora, through the Arkfall, and through every mistake I've ever made. If there is any strength in me at all, it came from You.” Warmth ignited inside my chest, and the whispers began to falter. “So, I place this battle in Your hands.” The warmth became light, and brilliant lightning blue energy erupted throughout my body. The rooftop trembled beneath my feet, and the shadow's smile vanished.
I opened my eyes. This time there was no fear—only faith. The shadow charged, and I charged back. We met in the center of the rooftop in one final collision, exchanging a last series of blows before I drove my fist forward with everything I had. Not my anger. Not my pain. But my faith…
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