Character in Christ

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  Romans 5:3-5  (NIV)

Hard Work Builds Character!  This is a statement we hear often, especially if we are enduring something difficult that takes time and patience.  I'm sure each one of us can reflect upon a time when we worked hard on something - school, work, relationships, etc - and realized that we came out on the "other end" of the hard work with a greater level of appreciation of the hard work we endured.

In our verses of study, though, we are looking at building character through a different lens.  In this case, we didn't actually "pursue" the hard work for anything specific (school, work, etc.), we are in the middle of suffering.  I find it very hard during difficult and trying times, to look at the end, how it will be positive in the end.  

• While going through weeks of chemo, it was hard to envision not getting sick, hard to believe my hair would grow back, hard to think I would EVER feel strong again.
• While walking through the grief of losing a parent, did I ever believe the ache in my heart would ever be gone?
• In the days of unkind words and frustration of a divorce, was love ever going to be in the cards for me?

In walks character in Christ.  Relying on our own ways and means to walk through suffering, results can be difficult.  Hard times and suffering can produce anger, bitterness, frustration and a general attitude in life that is skewed towards the negative.  Have you ever met people such as that?  So much suffering has happened TO them that they can't see anything but negativity.  In walks our Jesus!

Building a character in Christ is knowing, deep in our souls, that our ability to move forward out of the darkness and into the light relies solely on ONE person - Jesus.  By giving our suffering to Him, we can continue to walk forward to the other side of heartache and not drown in sorrow.  Why does our mental, physical and emotional state change with this one differentiator?  Because we know that there was one who suffered far more than we could ever suffer, one that persevered farther than we ever could and has the character that we long to have - Jesus!  

When we rely on our Jesus during times of suffering, we can see past ourselves and look at what needs to be done to succeed.  Such greatness and power comes in the fact that God loves us and when we go to him with our suffering, he is there to receive us and build us up, not tear us down.   The greater the struggle, the greater the building.  There is strength in this knowledge and we then want to show gratitude, we want to be more like Jesus - grow in his word and his deeds for the good of Him!!  Now is the time, sisters and brothers.  If your suffering is weighing you down and you don't know where to turn, know that your strength and resolve is in front of you - in Jesus.  Open up His Word and lay down your weight on his shoulders.  He is ready to build you up in character!!!

Abba Father, I am ready to be built up.  I want a character that is rich in you and I want to better see the path to that wonder.  Although my life may be full of suffering, I ask for perseverance and an opportunity to build my character to be closer to you.  By not dwelling inward but focusing upward, I know I can feel your love.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen!