Part 2 of Mental Toughness for Christian Teens
They’re comfortable being uncomfortable and they stand out everywhere they go.
Those are the characteristics of mentally tough Christians, as discussed in Part 1: Let’s Get Uncomfortable. But there’s one more roadblock that prevents indestructible faith, and it starts with facing another lie we tell ourselves too often.
First, a little pop quiz.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
Pop Quiz: RATE YOUR FAITH RESILIENCY
QUESTION #1
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being indestructible and 1 being very weak, how would you rate the strength of your faith?
(Think about it. Don’t rush.)
QUESTION #2
Take a moment to go through this checklist. Do you have…
- A warm, dry place to sleep every night?
- Indoor plumbing and hot running water?
- Access to three balanced meals a day?
- A relatively safe school and/or work environment?
- Loving family members?
- Good friends?
QUESTION #3
Now imagine that EVERYTHING you checked in Question #2 is taken away overnight. Then go back and answer Question #1 again:
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being indestructible and 1 being very weak, how would you rate the strength of your faith now?
Time to take a look at the final lie.
Lie #3: “Something awful is happening. God must not be real.”
We believe in God until we lose something…
There it is, the third untruth that gets in the way of indestructible faith. Do you share the human tendency to doubt the minute things go wrong? We believe in God until we lose someone we love in a tragic way, or our family loses our home, or friends desert us, or war tears into our country, or . . .
Suddenly, we’re not so sure of his goodness—or his existence at all.
How can you make sure yours is not the faith that falters in bad times?
Mental Conditioning
Once again, this is an issue of fearing discomfort. We cling to the familiar and the comfortable and thus condition ourselves to believe that when we are thrust into an unfamiliar, uncomfortable situation, God is not keeping his promises.
God’s main goal is not for us to be comfortable.
God’s main goal is not for us to be comfortable. He wants us to be his, and he wants our faith strong. You don’t become physically fit by sitting on your couch and watching exercise shows. You become fit when you get up, put on your running shoes, and move—when you sweat, when your muscles burn and your lungs are heaving and your heart pumps so hard you think you’re going to die. That’s not comfortable, but it serves a purpose.
So it is with faith.
Exercise Your Faith
Now is the time to condition yourself for volatile times. Yes, you should thank God for the material blessings you currently enjoy—your bed, your house, your iPhone, your fuzzy socks in the winter— but also pray that he will keep your faith strong when they are taken away. Instead of believing your well-being is wrapped up in your life circumstances, condition your brain to see that true well-being means your soul is held in God’s hands.
How do you exercise your faith?
Start with God’s word—a.k.a. the Bible. Hands down, the best mental conditioning a Christian can do to prepare for turbulence is to fill up with scripture. Read, meditate, MEMORIZE, and feel the power of the Holy Spirit working in you. Here are a few Bible passages for volatile times to get you started.
12 Powerful Bible Passages For Volatile Times
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:6
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Psalm 34:7
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.
Psalm 121:5-6
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
Psalm 3:5-6
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
You too can have indestructible faith. Keep exercising it!
Indestructible Faith For Teens: More Resources
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
More Bible Verses For Building Indestructible Faith:
- 7 Bible Passages About Your Status Before God
- 10 Bible Passages That Confirm God’s Love For You
- Where to Look In Scripture During Your Darkest Nights
- 8 Bible Verses For When You Feel Worthless
More on Mental Toughness For Christian Teens:
- Real Toughness Redefined: How to Develop a Strong Mind
- No Excuses: A Challenge to Own Your Problems
- Stand Firm: Pummel Peer Pressure With These Bible Verses
- What is Genuine Confidence—And Where Can I Get Some?
- Tame Your Nerves: How to Overcome Performance Anxiety
Bonus – article from Cru: 10 Spiritual Disciplines to Strengthen Your Faith