Adversity Training

Yep—we are a culture that is terrified of adversity finding our kids.

In a recent issue of Parenting magazine, one mom recounted that it was hard for her to watch her child cast in a school pageant as the "cheese"—as in, the "cheese" that stands alone.

The child is three.

Yep—we are a culture that is terrified of adversity finding our kids. Strike that; we're terrified of even brief unpleasantness getting near our kids. I'm not sure it's even much different for the Christian culture. For instance, how many of us have been around parents on a Sunday morning who would never consider telling their three-year-old, "Do NOT interrupt—I'm talking to the grown-ups," for fear of bruising a delicate child's psyche?

Fear of any adversity touching our kids may be most pronounced as our children head back to school, and some of these issues are once again thrown into relief: What if my child has a teacher he doesn't like? What if he doesn't make the team, or she isn't invited to the popular girl's party? What if he has to play the "cheese"?

"What if she ...

Subscriber access only You have reached the end of this Article Preview

To continue reading, subscribe to Christianity Today magazine. Subscribers have full digital access to CT Pastors articles.

Homepage Subscription Panel

Read These Next

Related
Wings of Wax, Feathers Flying
Wings of Wax, Feathers Flying
Controversy aside … fight or flight?
From the Magazine
Hope Is an Expectant Leap
Hope Is an Expectant Leap
Advent reminds us that Christian hope is shaped by what has happened and what’s going to happen again.
Editor's Pick
Recognizing the ‘Sins of Our Fathers’ Means Admitting We’re Their Children
Recognizing the ‘Sins of Our Fathers’ Means Admitting We’re Their Children
The Bible tells us we only escape original sin through our perfect savior.
close