"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua
1:9
Anyone who knows me can tell you
of my love and involvement in the Boy Scouts. I was a Scout when I was growing
up, and I had the privilege to walk with my grandson from when he was a Tiger
Cub (age 6) to an Eagle (age 18). I believe in Scouting, and although I may
have disagreed with the organization from time to time, I fully support the
program. I believe in it so much I have written two books on Scouting.
I
was shocked and disappointed when I came across a post aimed at Eagle Scouts:
"Men need to know it's okay: To talk about feelings. To ask for help. To
break down. To cry. To need support. To be vulnerable. To go to therapy. To not
be okay." I do not know where this came from or who the quote belongs to,
but it is nothing that any young person should be told.
Allow
me to share my response to this on the site where I found it. "More than
ever, men need to know that it is okay: To do their duty. To stand in the face
of difficulty. To face their fears. To put others first. To take the lead. To
face danger with courage. To embrace honor. To do what is right no matter the
cost. To be men."
Now
I know that some may think, "What is wrong with men getting in touch with
their feelings and finding their softer side?" Frankly, there is a lot
wrong with it. We live in a time when young boys are taught to be weak and to
stand aside from their God-given leadership roles. They have become cowards and
no longer take responsibility for doing their duty in the home, the church, or
their country.
Young
men should be taught to be warriors and leaders. That was what Scouting was
created to do. Look back at the history of Scouting. Look at the role Scouts
played in World Wars 1 and 2. In times of disaster, they were there not to hand
out water bottles but to clear out debris and rescue the injured. Scouts were
heroes, not kids who got in the way. That is why they were the first to walk on
the moon, to break world records for great adventures like Steve Fossett (an
Eagle Scout), and became great achievers in business, science, exploration, and
even politics.
Let
us teach our young men to be men of courage. Help them know how to do their
duty to God and their country because we do our duty. Teach them that it is
more important to be a man of honor and courage than to be in touch with their
feelings. Our young are our only hope for the future. Do not trust them in the
hands of strangers. You must train them up in the way they should go (Proverbs
22:6). It is your responsibility. You will be thankful you did.
You can learn more about Personal
Development from the author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey. To get his books,
training material, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group,
visit our website: www.growthcenter.net. © 2022 John Patrick
Hickey. No part of this material may be reprinted or published without the author's
written permission.
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