LIVE IN COURAGE, NOT FEAR

I'm watching the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, an event in which many beautiful people come together to share a beautiful moment in time. It's a marvel to see all the unique and diverse nations and cultures coming together to compete and support one another in the year of our Lord 2022. Regardless of the commentary and political spin they try to put on this fantastic event, it's a wonder to be celebrated, and each athlete has at least one thing in common. They are all children of God, and He will be by their side to comfort, challenge, and love each and every one of them.

Fast forward to Sunday, February 6th, 2022; thank you to all the athletes from around the globe who are participating in this year's games. As God works his wonder in my beautiful day, I'm half watching the women's giant slalom. I see courage across the board as each athlete leaves the starting gate. Not all make it down the course, but they all dared to try, and I thank them for that. I, for one, am inspired.

It is essential to live in courage and not fear in all facets of life. We will face many experiences and challenges throughout our lives that give us a choice, and I hope that we will consistently choose to live in courage and not fear. It's also God's command to Joshua as he embarks on his journey after the death of Moses. Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Courage is a calmness amid fear, just as God is an anchor amid a storm. Fear is not a sin; it's a matter of what we do with it. My wife, while writing this, sent me a quote she'd just heard: "Fear is expecting the devil to move; faith is expecting God to move." Once again, he's a funny guy. Courage is that attitude of mind and heart that enables us to face daily challenges and obstacles in life "fearlessly, firmly, and calmly." I like how Charles Stanley details how to develop courage. Meditate upon the word, obey the word, recall God's faithfulness, and observe courage in others.

Additionally, determine what is at stake—in this case, the name of Jesus is at stake, and it will take great courage to defend the name of God because He strikes against sin for all his children. So let's do this together in these crazy times we live in. Take comfort and recall God's promises: Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Let's defend the name of the son of God, who died for all of our sins.

In closing, I would like to thank you for joining me on this journey, and I apologize for missing the January article. It's been a rough start to 2022—I was weary due to life in general. It was an opportunity to practice what I preach and show some courage by leaning into God's word. Through the investing branch of our business, I have observed a fatigued labor force, a frustrated America, and a frustrated world as a whole. I see us living in a time of exhaustion from all that has been going on over the past couple of years. So, let's lead by example as one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Let's "put in work" and genuinely care for and about each other.

In closing—for real this time, haha!—I hope you also take some time to enjoy these Winter Olympic games and all its splendor. Put the media to the curb and enjoy these great athletes at this moment in time. Enjoy and appreciate these exceptional men and women from around the world and the courage they display. In the words of Jim McKay, please appreciate "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."

Larry