They make you stronger, hardier, build your character, that's right. Your life experience, skills also grow. Up to a certain limit that you can endure and not break, challenges help you to become better.

But they can also awaken bad traits in you. Some people do not stand the test and are amenable to weaknesses. Or they choose a simple way (they steal, rob, etc.), justifying their actions by difficult circumstances. However, one can argue whether their actions are a consequence of circumstances, or circumstances could only reveal their inclinations.