God is never going to give up on you because there is something
important for you to do. Life isn’t always easy; growth is hard, but we are
not alone in this complex process. The promise from God in the book of
Habakkuk 2:3 says “There will come a time when your tears will fall, not
because of your troubles, but because God has answered your prayers.”
Keep praying, keep seeking and know that one of the primary purposes
and processes of the life God has given you is the development of
character. Your character – your nature, the distinctive qualities of your
essence, what makes you you – is developed through experiences. If you
do not understand that character development is an important process in
God’s design for living, you may be tempted to give up when things get
tough. You may even begin to believe that life is against you. More
important, you may miss the fact that the very part of your character that
requires development is being developed by your response to the things
that you are walking through. What you do when you think your back is
against the wall speaks volumes about the nature of your character.
Every human weakness is strengthened by experience. This is
illustrated with great complexity in the Bible, as God tells us about the
weaknesses of men and women who struggled and overcame weakness
as they trusted in God’s ways, God’s will, and God’s plan for equipping
them for greater things. Reflect on how God turned circumstances and
experiences from wrong to right in the lives of Abraham, Joseph, David,
Esther, and Ruth. Every strength that serves you well in the tight spots is
remembered. When things get a little rough, it is always good to remember
that you cannot stay where you are forever. God is continually reviewing
and redesigning the intricate pieces of your circumstances to help you grow
and develop your character. God allows a variety of opportunities for you to
advance the nature of your character, He will send the perfect situation and
people your way. Your job is to respond to everything in a manner that
develops and strengthens your character. Listen for the leading of the Holy
Spirit, seek out the truth of being who God says you are and trust the
process of growth that is coming.
God says, “I will be your anchor when the waves of life feel strong.”
His word in Hebrews 6:19 says, “We have this as a sure and steadfast
anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the
curtain.” When everything around you feels uncertain, hold on to the hope
I’ve given you. It is secure, unshakable, and will never let you go.”
You may have thought that what happens to you and around you
determines the nature of who you are, but there is purpose and
intentionality in everything. Just for today, devote your time and energy to
using every experience as a character-building exercise. Allow faith, joy,
gentleness, kindness, patience, and peace to be the character-building
tools that determine your approach to situations and your response to
experiences. Character development is complex, just as every aspect of
God’s creation illustrates. Trust that you are safe in the hands of a mighty
creator; a loving Father who has something important for you to do and
knows who you are meant to be inside and out!
