We’ve all heard the saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
I am a firm believer that challenges and difficulties in life, both those that we create for ourselves and those that are thrust upon us, can be turned to our good. We can learn and grow from our trials. Just as in weight training, where increased resistance builds muscle strength, the opposition we face in daily life can fortify our character.
We can choose to learn from trials and allow them to strengthen us. We can also choose to let hardships tear us down and defeat us. While debt is not going to kill us, physically at least, it does present opportunities for us to flounder or flourish.
Here are just a few of the ways the challenge of debt is making us stronger:
Confidence
Anyone who has set and achieved a goal, whether it be academic or athletic, personal or public, knows the powerful feeling of accomplishment that comes. Success, even when goals are small, increases self-confidence. As we have made progress on our goals I have felt more confident in being able to accomplish other great things.
Self-Discipline
Paying off debt when all of society seems to be telling us that debt is normal and we should focus on keeping up the the Joneses, takes some serious discipline. Sticking to a budget month after month and making sacrifices is not easy. I have found that the more we exercise our self-discipline muscle, the stronger it gets.
Patience
We’ve talked about the fine line of patience before. In addition to finding the right balance of patience, it’s much more rewarding to have patience on the front end (working hard and saving for something), rather than on the back end (paying off debt). The patience we are learning (the hard way) in paying off debt applies to other areas in life, as building anything great requires patience.
Unity in marriage
Saying that debt helps us strengthen our unity might throw some for a loop since financial problems are known to be a predictor of divorce. While we’ve always had great communication in our marriage and have been unified in our decisions, the extra financial pressure has given us opportunities to fine-tune our relationship. Just as achieving a goal gives you confidence, working toward and achieving a goal together brings unity.
Instead of seeing your debt as a heavy weight that is crushing you, try looking at it as a heavy barbell that will tone your muscles as you conquer it!
It’s Your Turn
- How is your debt making you stronger?
- What secrets do you have for seeing your trials as opportunities for growth?
There’s no greater feeling than paying off a day, especially if you’ve been disciplined and stayed the course. I just eliminated a high interest debt and it felt wonderful to send that last payment. Next step is to take the money that was allocated and continue to pay but to myself ..we’ll see how that goes.
That’s wonderful CeCe! Congrats! Paying yourself is great. If you’re out of debt now, you can have interest on your side! Start earning it instead of paying it!
Hi Stephanie. Great article. Over the past few years, I’ve been finding it helpful to figure out what motivates me in my spending (and over-spending). What emotional triggers cause me to spend money on things I don’t need? Am I lonely, bored, or fearful? Do I really need more stuff, and will having more stuff make me happier?
I also try to separate my wants from my needs. It’s okay to want, but things I just want (rather than absolutely need) are items to be saved up for.
I’m still in debt, but it’s getting better. Especially when I pay attention to myself and how I’m think and feeling when I’m purchasing anything.
Those are some great points Nathalie. Paying attention to and analyzing feelings can really help curb spending. Recognizing emotional triggers can help in other aspects of life too! Thanks for sharing!
Well it’s hard to deny that our student loans haven’t made us stronger. I used our student loan payments as motivation to build a side income that would offset our monthly payments. I reached my goal and now I’m shooting for our side income to offset both our student loan payment AND our mortgage payment. I’m not sure I would have been as motivated had I not had these debt payments each month.
It’s true! Debt can be a great motivator. Necessity is not only the mother of invention, but of some great business endeavors as well! That’s awesome DC!