Give thanks to the Lord for David Wise’s testimony and faith.

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 10:32 ESV)

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Team USA freestyle skier David Wise has one foot in the snow, and the other in church.

He and his wife, Alexandra, lead the youth group at their church in Reno, Nev., where Wise grew up. He’s needed her and his church family on the road to the Pyeongchang Olympics: It’s been a rocky one, offset by triumphs on the slopes.

Wise is a halfpipe specialist who took the gold in the freeski halfpipe event at the 2014 Sochi Games and at the 2018 X Games. That makes him a favorite for Pyeongchang.

But with the glory came intense physical and emotional pain.

In addition to two injuries and three concussions, his sister lost a leg in a boating accident, his father-in-law died, his wife suffered serious postpartum depression and his son had a health crisis he almost didn’t survive.

His skiing, he wrote on his blog before leaving for Pyeongchang, suffered, and some of his sponsors abandoned him.

“I’ve certainly had some people dancing on my contest career’s supposed grave and celebrating my downfall,” he wrote. “Never the less, I’ve also experienced unconditional love and support from a select few that made all the weapons of my enemies turn to ash.”

Instead, he writes, he has turned the proverbial other cheek, transforming adversity and personal slights into opportunity and exercises in strength.

“I am thankful for the buildup of all the tragedy that prepared me for what was to come — and taught me how to consider all things as an opportunity for great joy….”

“Everything that I have is a gift from God, and He can take it away when He wants to. I am surrounded by people who truly love and support me for who I am, not what I do on a pair of skis and not for any level of success I could attain.” (Excerpt from Kimberly Winston’s article in Christian Headlines)