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Stay strong, do you’re best, be yourself, hang on tight. Things are always better in the end; and if they aren’t better it’s not the end.

The players have to choose their battles wisely. At lower levels, characters should FREQUENTLY run into things they can’t fight, and find traps they can’t disarm, locks that they can’t pick, etc. That’s the whole incentive they have to gain levels in the first place. Otherwise why bother even having the level system to begin with? Tease them, taunt them, give them something to strive for. . .

I don’t care how many times you bash your fist against a 3 inch thick piece of armor plate,you will NEVER get through it that way. Use the impossible to force the to think of other ways to accomplish the same goal. Door won’t open? Passwall the wall, con the doorman, knock politely and push in once someone who CAN open it does so. Can’t climb that wall? Get a fly spell. Spider climb is nice. Hammer and a chisel takes a while, but usually works for making hand and foot holds. Force them to think and not just bash or use the simplest means to an end.

If you are worried about injuring the players feelings, fine, be a softie and always let them win. . .of course, that is about as much fun and as challenging as using a q-tip to clean your ears, but hell, no hurt feelings. Personally, I find that the players have a LOT more fun when things are challenging. Ya, a few die here and there, but thus it is with the life of an adventurer. If you consistently throw yourself into danger, you can expect to eventually feel the sting of failure.