You’ve already read about Buzz. Do you see how he’s a lot like you?
All boys and girls have unique qualities that set them apart from others. Some of those qualities are awesome, like wonderful talents, special skills, and unusual abilities. Other differences don’t seem good at all.
Like Buzz’s wings, these differences can sometimes appear to be limitations. Limitations make people feel badly because they focus on what is WRONG, not what is RIGHT. People have all kinds of issues that seem like limitations.
No one is perfect, and the world is not perfect. Therefore, EVERYONE has something that feels like a limitation. Limitations, however, do not have to stay limitations. They can be overcome.
To overcome means that problems don’t get the best of you. It means that you don’t have to have a great home or a healthy body or perfect emotions to be all you were meant to be. It means that you can have joy and purpose in spite of the things that seem wrong. To overcome means that you see limitations just like other things that makes you unique—like your thumbprint or your taste buds or your toenails.
All boys and girls have unique qualities that set them apart from others. Some of those qualities are awesome, like wonderful talents, special skills, and unusual abilities. Other differences don’t seem good at all.
Like Buzz’s wings, these differences can sometimes appear to be limitations. Limitations make people feel badly because they focus on what is WRONG, not what is RIGHT. People have all kinds of issues that seem like limitations.
- Some people have homes filled with abuse, neglect, and anger. Their home is a place of hurt, a place where they feel small and unimportant.
- Some people have physical problems that make their bodies different from the other people they see. They can’t do the things other people do. They can feel sad because they aren’t like everyone else.
- Some people have pain deep inside. They feel lonely even when there are others all around. Or they feel worried about what will happen in the future. Or they feel scared of many things in their world. Or they feel shame because bad things have happened to them.
- Some people feel itchy under their skin and have trouble doing what is expected of them. They want to run when they’re supposed to sit. They struggle with busy thoughts. They wish they could make their brains take a nap.
- Some people have great lives. They are talented and smart. They are nice to look at and have fantastic personalities. They have lots of friends. Their families are loving and kind. But they can feel pressure to be perfect. They can worry that they won’t succeed like others expected them to. They can feel like they have to make everyone happy—even when people want opposite things from them. Sometimes, they try to please other people too much or work extra hard to keep up a flawless image. Others can misuse their blessed life to be ugly to people and to look down on them. Though they seem to have it all together, THEY know their struggles even when other people can’t see them.
No one is perfect, and the world is not perfect. Therefore, EVERYONE has something that feels like a limitation. Limitations, however, do not have to stay limitations. They can be overcome.
To overcome means that problems don’t get the best of you. It means that you don’t have to have a great home or a healthy body or perfect emotions to be all you were meant to be. It means that you can have joy and purpose in spite of the things that seem wrong. To overcome means that you see limitations just like other things that makes you unique—like your thumbprint or your taste buds or your toenails.
- If your home is loud with lots of screaming and insults, you overcome by becoming someone who stays calm and speaks nicely. When you are upset, you choose to do something positive, such as go for a walk or color, or journal. You don’t become the anger that’s all around you because you use your inner hero to be better. And if that inner hero needs a sidekick, you talk to a trusted adult.
- To overcome physical limitations means you focus on what you CAN do, not what you can’t do. It means you keep a positive attitude and cheer on those who can do what you’re not able to do. It means you let others help you even as you explore the possibilities of what you can do on your own. It means you exercise patience when you’re feeling frustrated.
- To overcome emotions that make you sad or anxious or afraid, you learn to speak truth to your heart and to face fears with courage. You boldly make yourself do the good things you don’t feel like doing. You smile. You get up and get dressed. You say hello to people. You practice good manners. You think about others instead of curling into a ball inside yourself like your emotions tell you to do. And while you’re doing the hard things, you talk to a trusted adult who can partner with you as you overcome.
- To overcome creepy crawlies in your brain, you use your energy to be creative, expressive, or athletic. You think and imagine and use your big thoughts to solve problems and to add colorful happiness to your world. You work with trusted adults to find solutions to manage the antsy feelings you have inside.
- To overcome hidden matters of the heart, you admit that you aren’t perfect. You stop pretending. You talk to a trusted grown-up when you are struggling inside. You make choices based on what pleases God, not on what you think friends want you to do to be popular. You use your personality and gifts and good life to bless others and make their lives better.
What do you think about these Bible verses?
Choose one to help you BEE an overcomer.
1 Corinthians 10:13(MSG) “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.”
John 16:33 (NLT) “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
James 1: 1-4 (TLB):
“From: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To: Jewish Christians scattered everywhere. Greetings!
Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”
Ephesians 6: 10 (KJV) “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT): “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT): “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Philippians 4:6 (NLT): “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Choose one to help you BEE an overcomer.
1 Corinthians 10:13(MSG) “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.”
John 16:33 (NLT) “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
James 1: 1-4 (TLB):
“From: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To: Jewish Christians scattered everywhere. Greetings!
Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”
Ephesians 6: 10 (KJV) “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT): “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT): “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Philippians 4:6 (NLT): “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
