The older I get, the more I realize how simple the foundation really is: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I’ve heard that verse my whole life, but now, in my 40s, I finally understand the weight of it. It isn’t fear the way the world defines it. It’s reverence. It’s humility. It’s acknowledging who God is and remembering I’m not the one in control. Real wisdom doesn’t start with age or experience. It starts with God.
As a parent of kids in this stage of life, I’m learning more about their challenges, their emotions, their little battles, and the world they’re growing up in. And my heart keeps coming back to this: I want them to learn early what took me years to understand. Not the world’s version of strength, but God’s version.
Be strong and courageous isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It isn’t about pushing through alone. It means stepping into hard things with massive faith. It means trusting God’s direction even when the path isn’t clear yet. In Scripture, every time God tells someone to be strong and courageous, He follows it with the reason — because He is with them. Strength isn’t something we manufacture. It’s something God supplies.
Faith and fear are two sides of the same sword. Both feel powerful. Both show up in real moments. One makes you freeze. The other makes you move. The difference is which one you choose to follow.
Fear without God leads to anxiety and confusion.
Fear with God brings clarity and perspective.
Faith without courage feels safe.
Faith with action changes everything.
Being in my 40s has taught me that guiding my kids isn’t about fixing everything for them. It’s about pointing them toward the One who can. It’s teaching them that wisdom starts with honoring God. That courage comes from faith, not from pretending to be tough. That God is in every detail, even the ones they don’t see yet.
I want my kids to carry this foundation with them sooner than I did:
Walk with faith.
Fear the Lord.
Be strong.
Be courageous.
And trust God with the big things and the small things.
Writing this down reminds me too. Because the more life I live, the more I see how true it is — and how much I want to pass it on.
Tim
ORNELL GROUP REAL ESTATE | TIM ORNELL
Northern Suburbs Luxury & Waterfront Specialist
Real Brokerage | Luxury Division
Institute for Luxury Home Marketing – GUILD Certified
$200M+ Sold | 200+ Transactions
[email protected] | ornellgroup.com
Content provided by Ornell Group Real Estate. Brokered by Real Broker. Select content enhanced with AI-assisted tools. Market data subject to change.
