When I think about raising strong, resilient kids, I don’t just think about what they’ll accomplish.
I think about who they’re becoming every step of the way.
I want my kids to dream bigger than anyone thinks is possible.
But I also want them rooted — rooted in discipline, rooted in gratitude, and most importantly, rooted in their faith in God.
Dreaming big is easy. Becoming someone strong enough to carry the dream — and stay faithful when the journey gets hard — that’s the real battle.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Principles create belief.
Belief fuels action.
Action shapes identity.
Identity changes the world.
When kids grow up living by the right principles — faith, humility, perseverance, hard work — they begin to believe in who God has called them to be. That belief turns into bold action. And over time, their consistent action shapes a new identity — not just someone who wins, but someone who lasts.
But faithfulness isn’t random. It has a focus. And the order matters:
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Faithful to God first — because their identity must be rooted in Him, not in achievement.
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Faithful to godly principles — because character is what carries a dream through the storms.
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Faithful to the work — because no dream builds itself.
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Faithful through the struggle — because strength is forged when it's hardest to keep going.
The goal isn't just to raise champions. The goal is to raise warriors of faith — kids who love God, work relentlessly, endure hardship, and stay faithful no matter what.
Here’s how I’m trying to walk this out with my kids — and maybe it’ll help you too:
1. Teach Them That Big Dreams Require Daily Faithfulness
Dreams aren’t magic. They’re built one hard day at a time.
When my kids tell me they want to be world champions, build companies, or leave a legacy — I believe them. But I also remind them:
➡️ "You don’t get to the podium without thousands of invisible days nobody sees."
Dreams are important. But it’s daily faithfulness — to God, to their principles, to the work — that makes dreams real.
2. Show Them That Loving the Process Matters More Than Loving the Spotlight
Everyone loves the moment on the podium. But who are you when nobody’s clapping?
I teach my kids:
"Fall in love with the work no one sees. That’s where real dreams are built."
The process — the struggle, the sweat, the daily decision to show up — is where greatness is forged. If they only love the results, they’ll quit when it gets hard. If they love the process, they’ll keep growing no matter what.
3. Model What It Means to Struggle With Honor and Stand With Faith
Our kids don’t need perfect parents. They need parents who model faithfulness when it’s hard.
When they see us show up tired but committed, when they watch us stay grateful even when it's tough, when they see us trust God when we don’t understand —
they learn what real strength looks like.
Victory isn’t the ultimate goal. Faithfulness is.
Faithful to God.
Faithful to truth.
Faithful to the calling placed inside them.
4. Let Them Face Hard Things Without Shielding Them
Growth doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from pressure, from struggle, and from perseverance.
The world will tell you to make life easier for your kids. But making life easier doesn’t make them stronger. It makes them fragile.
I let my kids fail sometimes.
I let them wrestle with disappointment.
I let them learn firsthand that God’s strength shows up most when ours runs out.
Because if they can endure the hard seasons with faith, they’ll be unstoppable.
5. Anchor Their Identity in God — Not in Success
Success comes and goes. So do medals, rankings, and business wins.
If your kids anchor their identity in achievements, they’ll rise and fall with every victory and defeat. But if their identity is anchored in Christ, they’ll have an unshakeable foundation — no matter what happens.
I remind my kids often:
"You are loved. You are called. You are chosen — not because of what you accomplish, but because of who you belong to."
Dreams don't define them. God already does.
What Matters Most
If you take anything away from this, let it be this:
The real goal isn't just to raise kids who succeed.
It’s to raise kids who stay faithful — to God, to truth, to the calling on their life — no matter what they face.
Dream big. Stay grounded. Trust God. Work relentlessly. Embrace the chaos.
