I don’t think they mean harm, but when someone tells me, “You’re too young to know what struggles even are,” I feel unsettled.

I’m sure there will be those out there that disagree – and that’s fine – but I don’t think that age has a direct link to struggle. I think that as you get older, you have had more life experiences, and as a result of those experiences, you have been able to develop and grow.

However, saying that just because someone is deemed as young means that they do not understand what struggling entails is dehumanizing.It’s basically telling that person that while they may be going through a hard time in their life, it’s unjustified because of their age.

This is where assumptions come in, and this is how sons and daughters keep to themselves in apprehension of what their parents, family and/or elders may say to them.

As a result, that person may feel isolated and alone and turn to coping mechanisms that they wouldn’t have otherwise turned to. I believe that we should love on people and pray for people and stop creating this kind of separation within our families and communities.

The disciples had this same mindset when children were brought to Jesus to be blessed in Luke 10:15-17 (NKJV). They thought the children were too young, and yet, Jesus asks us to “receive the kingdom of God as a little child.”

God wants us to have a childlike faith. Why? Because children have an innocence about them that is so pure and real. They hope, believe and trust better than anyone out there.

And if Jesus views children as such, we should view everyone in this world as if their struggles mean something, even if we don’t think that they do.

-Jas