If you want to know how to learn about yourself, go through a hard time and let your weaknesses be exposed. My husband and I are foster parents. We went into it with more confidence than we should have. But both of us have a lot of experience helping kids with issues, so we felt equipped to deal with whatever would come our way. Our pride was our first mistake. Neither of us was prepared to meet a side of ourselves we didn’t know needed to be fixed.
Once the vulnerable areas of myself and my life were exposed, I had three choices. I could continue the ugliness by defending myself and justify why how I was reacting was OK. I could spiral in shame and beat up on myself. Or, I could look at this as a chance to make changes and learn from this experience. As hard as this time has been for me, I wouldn’t change it. I allowed my hard time to change me. Here are 3 things I learned about myself in this hard season that might help you in yours.
1. I’m selfish.
Of course, all people have some level of selfishness, but I saw a side of myself I didn’t realize I had. I like things to go my way and when something happens to shift that, it takes me longer to adapt than it should. I have had to remind myself that the world doesn’t revolve around what I want all the time.
Going through a hard time has taught me to focus on compassion and opening my heart to those in need.
2. I’m a control freak.
I realized that I’m not as flexible and laid back as I thought. I get more annoyed than I should when things don’t go as I had planned. Caring for kids with trauma issues and dealing with all the last-minute changes that come with it has taught me I need to loosen the reins on my expectations and let more things go.
I am learning to roll with things more than I had before.
3. I have a hard time loving people when they aren’t so lovable.
As a committed Jesus follower, this one slapped me in the face. At times, I have had to fight hard not to judge. When hearing stories about where our foster kids have come from, it is difficult to find a way to love their family and show grace. I also saw this ugly side of myself when I found it hard to love the kids after they turned our lives upside down.
My faith has helped me love when I didn’t feel like I had it in me.
How to Learn About Yourself
When we go through struggles, we can become a victim to them or we can make it an opportunity for growth. I chose to grow. Whatever your struggles are, I am sure you have seen a side of yourself you didn’t like. If you are an overwhelmed mom, here are some tips to help. Remember that when our weaknesses are exposed, it is for our benefit. Addressing weakness is key for knowing how to learn about yourself. If we hadn’t seen areas to work on, we might have continued thinking we are all good. It makes a big difference when we can see the hard times as more than just a struggle. The hard times can teach us more about ourselves and reveal areas that need to be changed.
When you go through a hard time, do you get stuck in a victim mentality or do you let it become an opportunity for growth?
Teri Claassen is a Jesus follower, wife to Dan, mommy to one boy and one girl, a foster mom to kids in need, and a therapist at Renewed Horizon Counseling in Tampa, FL.
