Wise words with...

What does it mean to 'embrace the struggle'?

At the beginning of the year, school staff welcomed our Primary students. During the first assembly, pupils were encouraged to recognise that school is challenging, and when things are challenging, we can grow! The phrase that our Primary School community left that assembly with was 'embrace the struggle.'

Recently, Gen Z writer Freya India's article 'My Generation isn't Suffering Enough,'stated that:

 "those of us born after 1997 are the saddest, loneliest, and most mentally fragile age group to date, cursed with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide."

This grim diagnosis could be overstating her case; however, Freya argues that our modern world offers plenty of ease with little suffering compared to past generations. Her solution is to combine "self-care with strenuous, humbling self-development."

Over the last few weeks, we have seen students embracing the struggle of self-development. Instrumental groups have begun. Initially, the challenge with learning an instrument is to make a 'noise.' Over the weeks, students achieve this and then attempt the daunting task of reading music and playing the notes accurately and clearly. It is a battle to train the mind, lips and fingers to work together. With skilled, encouraging guidance, this task is achievable, and students experience success. Kindergarten students also faced the ‘challenge' of saying goodbye to parents each morning. As they have done this, they have grown in independence and self-efficacy.

During the school day, 'struggles' frequently occur. They can come disguised as reading groups, exams, Math drills, sport, social conflicts or when a student experiences discipline. Challenge is uncomfortable, and initially, it does not appear to be a path to wellbeing. But when faced, it tends to lead to growth and self-development!

In our Primary Biblical Studies curriculum, we have recently learnt about Joseph. Joseph is probably most famous for having a colourful coat. Joseph had a dream! This dream was not easily fulfilled; it involved a lot of struggle and suffering. At first, Joseph thought that his 'dream' was all about him. Eventually, he realised that it was part of God's plan to rescue the Hebrew people.

Our students’ aspirations and dreams will not come about without struggle. These dreams are not only for our good but they are a part of a bigger story: God's story. God's story challenges us to be disciples of Jesus. In Luke 9:23, Jesus called those around him to deny themselves and follow him. Perhaps this is the ultimate challenge we face as humans. Do we embrace Jesus' challenge?

Whilst humans are incredibly resilient creatures, too many struggles can be damaging. As parents and teachers, we should ensure that we guide children and students through age-appropriate 'struggle' in a way that is ‘full of grace and seasoned with salt.' This phrase (borrowed from Colossians 4:6) recognises that humans thrive on lots of encouragement with a pinch of constructive criticism. 

Who knows what our children can achieve when ‘push comes to shove’? So, let's encourage our students with the words 'embrace the struggle.'