I have seen this quote a few times and it’s a good one:
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And weak men create hard times.”
I don’t know about you, but I believe the last statement best reflects our situation today…
Weak men are creating hard times.
It’s painful to observe, and be a part of.
So what do we do about it?
How do we create stronger men?
And better times?
A good place to start is to see the difference between men who are weak and those who are strong.
Weak men:
– Have few or no governing standards
– Conform to the world’s values
– Are easily deceived
– Fall quickly to temptation
– Live in fear
– Obsess over how people view them
– Need to control others
– Are concerned about themselves above all else
Strong men:
– Are anchored to God and His standards
– Walk in His Spirit and bear its fruit
– Make God’s Kingdom and righteousness top priorities
– Refuse to live by lies
– Pursue godly wisdom over worldly wisdom
– Sacrificially serve others while trusting the Lord
– Grow in courage by fearing God more than men
– Possess a big vision inspired by love
There’s much we can say about building stronger men…
But noting these differences is a place to begin.
Knowing them helps you recognize strength and weakness when you see it…
And, prepares us to put off the ways of the weak and put on the ways of the strong in ourselves.
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13).