Life is filled with ups and downs. A mature man knows ways to deal with challenges on the mountaintop and the frustrations in the dark valley. Don’t you think the mountain top is for inspiration, but delightful fruits are only found in the valley? My dad taught me when I was in my childhood not to get up immediately when we fall on the street. It is a good time to look for coins or notes on the floor. Failure is not a bad thing, nor is dark valley terrible. The time of falling is a good time to build positive character. “Endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. – Romans 5:4” Adversity may result in strength. It is one of the fundamental life principles. Our muscles grow only if we stretch them to their limit. Our character grows only if pressure exerts against it. Developing strong character, therefore, is a process that takes time and constant attention. The story of Joseph in the Bible strengthens me when I am on my downs. “Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. – Psalm 105:19”