57 BUILDING ON A CHILD’S STRENGTHS HELPS
HIM/HER OVERCOME WEAKNESSES.

Imagine a roof with a rotten support beam. Now you have two choices:

1.     Tear out the beam to replace it and risk having the roof fall in on you.

2.     Or, put in a new beam and then tear out the old.

Continuing attacking a child’s weaknesses risks destroying the child. Building on a child’s strengths will …

•     Help a child overcome weakness.

•     Affirm and encourage a child.

•     Build trust between you and the child.

•     Teach a child lasting truths.

•     Communicate your love and care.

•     Construct character in your child.

•     Lead to long-term growth and maturity.

•     Strengthen your relationship with your child.

Think of it another way. If you always tell a child what not to do, they will never learn what to do. Focusing on what’s wrong doesn’t teach what’s right.

Jesus reminds us that we can empty a house of demons, but if it remains empty, only more demons will come back to fill it. We can empty a child of weakness, but if no strength has been built, the weaknesses will only return.

Building on strength is edification. Find ways to edify your child today!

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another (Rom. 14:19).