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We've all heard the old adage, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" One thing is for sure - life happens!
This blessed life God has given us is full of ups and downs. While those down times may be difficult, they are often the occasions that make us grateful for the many wonderful moments we enjoy. It's death, or the threat thereof, that makes us thankful for life. Sickness causes us to appreciate health. Remembering moments of poverty cause us to celebrate wealth.
When I look at the world today, my self-defense regimen reminds me of this very concept. Certainly, I'm not surprised at the decline of our world. Scripture has warned us in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Message Bible), "Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people." All in all, the world we live in is a dangerous place. In short, people are crazy!
That's the bad news, but here's the lemonade. We have the knowledge and resources to stay safe AND enjoy the journey in doing so. As I often stress, I do NOT live in fear (2 Timothy 1:7). That's not a lifestyle I choose to adopt. I do, however, live in reality. In the real world, threats exist. I choose to equip myself, should such a threat find me, to prevail. As my USMC brothers and sisters might say, I will "adapt and overcome."
This journey of being aware and prepared has so many benefits - improved health, community, increased knowledge, new friends and newly acquired skills are just a few. Believe it or not, learning to protect oneself is FUN! It's empowering.
And in the midst of those "crazy" folks I previously mentioned, there remains a strong brotherhood (sisters included) of people who love God and this country. Those same people are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and therefore ready and equipped to protect our rights, including all granted via the second amendment.
Proverbial lemonade just may save your life. And even if you never need to fight, you've enjoyed the refreshment!
Whatever regimen you choose for self-defense, be safe! And please don't forget to have FUN!