The Power of Character: Why It Matters More Than You Think
Jesus often taught through stories, using them to illustrate deeper truths. As parents, we can do the same for our children. Stories are a powerful tool for teaching life lessons in a way that is engaging and memorable. Instead of lectures, storytelling allows children to absorb lessons naturally, making it easier for them to recall and apply them later.
Recently, a situation in our Christian homeschool co-op sparked an important conversation about character. An incident report was sent home to a group of students, some of whom insisted they had not been involved in the issue. Naturally, those students felt defensive, wondering why they were being grouped in with the others.
My daughter, who is very observant, shared with me in great detail what had happened. She was particularly concerned about the fairness of the situation. This led to an important discussion about how people form beliefs about us based on our consistent behaviors. Whether we like it or not, others learn what to expect from us based on past experiences.
From a teacher’s perspective, when an incident occurs and the full details are unclear, assumptions sometimes have to be made. Teachers may identify those involved based on past patterns—who typically participates in disruptions, who tends to be in the mix, and so on. While this may not always be perfectly fair, it serves as a lesson in how our actions shape our reputation.
This discussion in our car led to another example of how character influences perception. My daughter’s teacher once told her that because she always turns in her work on time, missing one assignment wasn’t a big deal. However, if she had a history of missing assignments, the response would have been different. This highlighted an important truth: our consistent behavior builds trust—or damages it.
As adults, we already know this to be true. But it’s crucial that we teach our children that character matters. The way we consistently show up in life, the choices we make, and the values we display all contribute to how others perceive us. While no one is perfect, what we do most of the time shapes our reputation and ultimately determines the opportunities we receive.
Most importantly, our character impacts our ability to be used by God. When we are trustworthy and live with integrity, God can use us to further His kingdom. Whether our influence is big or small, our consistency in character makes us effective in the role He has given us.
This week, I encourage you to have a conversation with your children about character. Help them understand that their actions, habits, and choices all contribute to how they are seen by others—and more importantly, how they reflect Christ. Let’s remind them that while perfection is not the goal, striving to be a person of integrity and faith will open doors and allow God to use them in powerful ways.
