If you and I sat down over coffee and you asked me about the coolest thing I’ve ever done, I would probably tell you that besides marrying Hannah, the answer was catching a nearly 300 pound shark at the age of twelve! The backstory on this amazing experience is that when I was a kid, I practically lived on a boat, especially in the summer. Since my dad loves to fish, we would go out all the time to catch different things, and sometimes we would even take part in tournaments. One day, I brought my best friend along and we set sail into the deep blue to do what we always did; however, I had no idea that this particular outing would end in triumph for me. After feeling a huge bite on my pole, I ran to it and began wrestling what I could tell was a massive creature. As it got closer, it didn’t take long for us to determine that it was a thresher shark. Though it was certain to be a daunting task to reel him in, and he was already fighting really hard, the fact that my dad and best friend were watching made me all the more determined to conquer. It was “do or die,” and while it took two and half hours of sheer strength and struggle to get him in the boat, the sense of accomplishment I felt at that moment will stay with me forever. Looking back, I really believe it was an important segway to becoming a man. Something about fighting the elements of nature and not giving up on a task that seemed too gargantuan to conquer convinced me that I could take on even greater challenges in the future. 

My friend, while these are crazy times and you may be struggling with something bigger and stronger than you ever thought possible, I urge you to fight hard and not give up! Even though trials and obstacles may toss you about and require you to work hard to maintain your balance, the truth is that you are getting closer and closer to victory. As you press on, even through exhaustion and pain, your battle will climax and your long-anticipated triumph will finally dawn. Through Christ who strengthens you, anything is possible, and though all the voices around you tell you to surrender, your Savior beckons you to give it all you’ve got. You are more than a conqueror in Him, and He will multiply your efforts and see your good work to completion as long as you persevere!