Problems, trials, adversities, and challenges are a part of life. We can’t avoid them. Most of us encountered challenges when we moved from elementary school, to middle school, and on to high school. Perhaps we had a difficult teacher or administrator. Peer pressure may have reduced us to tears. Or a particularly difficult class stressed us. A move to a new city, state, or country may have devastated us. Perhaps we were cut from the basketball team or didn’t get the part we wanted in the school play.
- Children who thrive realize that life presents challenges. A parent, a teacher, or a coach has taught them that adversities enable a person to demonstrate the emotional toughness they otherwise may never have discovered. As the football coach says, “It’s not how many times you get knocked down that counts. It’s how many times you get back up.”
- Successful children (and adults) get over the self-pity trap by replacing self-defeating and unproductive thoughts with positive thoughts: I can do it. I am developing successful habits. If they did it so can I. Courage is doing something even when I am afraid of it. I like challenges. This makes me stronger. I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.
- Effective children learn to cope with problems by developing a sense of responsibility—doing homework on time, cleaning their room, obeying their parents. They don’t make excuses. They don’t blame others.
- Fortunate children cultivate a support system of family and friends. Parents can share those difficulties they survived as a child. They can give a little push that gives confidence to a child. Parents encourage. Instead of rescuing their child, they let their child suffer school problems and peer pressure so the child will grow into a resilient adult. Friends too can give support. Older siblings can share their secrets of surviving.
- Prayer and scripture study can bolster confidence by revealing God’s unconditional love.
- Inspirational stories can encourage persistence and endurance. For example, basketball great Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team when he was in the 10th grade. He kept practicing and now he is a living legend
When we respond positively and constructively to adversity, we develop strength, courage, and self-confidence that enables us to deal with the increasing challenges we face throughout life. We can overcome the problems–the suffering–that life brings.