Keep calm and stick to your long-term investment strategy.

It can be challenging to remain invested when markets are jittery. Wars, political turmoil, market uncertainty, rising inflation, and pandemics can lead to great volatility and turbulence in the markets. 

With the current uncertainty, you may be tempted to cash in your investments. 

I want to encourage you to keep calm, and to stick to your long-term investment strategy. You can ride out the storms during challenging times.

It is easy to worry and get stressed when you look at the events that are wreaking havoc in our world at present. I want to challenge you not to panic during tough times, but rather…

• Look to God, 
• Keep calm, and 
• Stick to your long-term plan. 

When it comes to your investments, it is important to set some funds aside for your short-term emergencies, but it is equally important to invest part over the long term to generate growth in your wealth portfolio to fund your future dreams and objectives. In order to grow your money in real terms and protect yourself from the debilitating effect of inflation, you need to invest part of your wealth in the market. However, growth investments do go through market shocks, but markets usually bounce back relatively quickly once the storm passes.

Markets follow cycles. They go through peaks and troughs and will continue to go through ups and downs. It is important during volatile uncertain times to remain calm and wait for the markets to correct. 

History shows that investors who remain calm and stick to the long-term plan, even when markets are extremely volatile and unpredictable over the short term, usually reap the rewards once the storm passes. 

I would strongly urge you not to make panicky short-term decisions and pull your growth investments out of the market when they are turbulent or down. If you do, you will only be locking in permanent losses as it is very difficult to time the markets. 

Uncertainty in markets can lead you to make irrational decisions. I want to encourage you to focus on the long-term goal and look forward to where markets will be in a few years’ time, not what will happen next week.

1.) Look to God

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Look up, not to the mountains, but to God. Your help comes from the creator of the mountains. He is strong, mighty and nothing is too hard for Him. 

This Psalm continues, “He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not slumber”” or “sleep.” “The Lord watches over you—  the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—  he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”(Psalm 121:3-8)

He knows what is happening. Look to him. He has your best interests at heart. He wants to see you prosper. And He wants to walk your life journey with you. 

God can do anything. He can make a way. He is in control. 

2.) Don’t panic. 

Stay calm. When markets are volatile, don’t focus on your fears. Most fears will never materialize. Rather trust in God.

Seek God.

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 34:4-6)

So, if you are invested in the market and are considering cashing in your investment during the downturn, I want to encourage you to be patient and keep calm.

Yes, we will face storms in life. Jesus told us that we would face tough times.

Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33a), but Jesus didn’t stop there. He went on and said “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)

Breathe. Hold onto God. He is in control. Follow his lead. With God at your side, you will be ok. All will work out okay.

3.) Stick to your long-term plan

It is important to have a plan and to stick to it. Make sure that your financial plan is tailored to meet your objectives and your future goals.

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

Plan well. Work hard. Don’t keep changing your plan. 

Make sure that you have a well-balanced spread in your portfolio. Over the short-term, markets can be uncertain and turbulent, but over the long term growth investments give you the ability to generate explosive growth.

“Whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11)

Invest regularly over time, irrespective of market conditions. It is difficult to time the market, so invest by building up your portfolio over time.

If you are looking to build a wolf portfolio over the long term, it is good to disregard short term performance fluctuations and focus on your long-term goals. Wise investors continue to invest through dips in the market, knowing that when markets are down, there is great opportunity and a greater potential to generate good gain when the market recovers.

Give your money time to grow. Stick to your long-term strategy.

In summary

• Look to God, 
• Keep calm, and 
• Stick to your long-term plan.

Don’t live in fear and dread. Life consists of more than money and material things. Put your life in the hands of God. Invite Jesus to be your Savior. Surrender your life to God. Give Him your burdens and concerns. You can take refuge in Him. 

If you want to start or restart your walk with God, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” (Psalm 46:1-2)

If you are worried, surrender your fears to God. It is a time to put your faith in God. He is your place of safety, and he has your back. When it comes to your investments, look to God. He is interested in you. Keep calm and stick to your long-term plan.

God bless you.