Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ~Hebrews 12:7 (NIV)
Just like those of us who have been blessed to be parents never stop being parents, God doesn't either. He never stops working with us to help us become spiritually mature at every stage in life. Growing up spiritually requires discipline to build the kind of values and character that resemble our Father in Heaven and to do His will daily. We cannot allow our desires, our emotions, our family, our friends or even our circumstances to distract us from pursuing the character God has called us to have. Compromise is not an option because of the call on our lives. We have to be led by the Holy Spirit and learn to follow His gentle instruction. We have to press on when life seems unfair and circumstances are unjust knowing that hardship strengthens us when we don’t allow it to make us bitter, but better. We have to praise God in the storm and cultivate a heart of appreciation for all He has done for us and for the people He has brought into our lives. The word cultivate is not a passive word. It means work. Enduring difficult situations and people with a good attitude takes work! It can be downright uncomfortable at times. It’s not easy to “endure hardship as discipline”, but the truth is adversity is a major player in building our character. We need to remember that everything God allows in our lives is being used by Him to transform us to His image. We have to hold our ground in trusting in God’s love and goodness towards us!
Jesus set the example for us to follow. God’s manifold wisdom was manifested in Jesus for our benefit so that we could do the same just like the patriarchs of old. Just like Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, David was willing to praise God following the death of his infant son and Paul continually encouraging the early church that they could find peace in the midst of their suffering, Jesus showed us how to trust in God’s goodness and embrace His will no matter what the circumstances. Jesus glorified God and personified His character. He confidently fulfilled His destiny on this earth, through the good times and the difficult and will now eternally hold His position as our Savior and Lord. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to allow God to build your character and help you to fulfill your destiny? God wants to do amazing things for us every day, but we must discipline ourselves to trust in His goodness and embrace His will. The Lord wants to use us right where we are, but we have to let Him. Too often we are seeking what we want instead of what He wants. We want what we want, and we want it right now but too much too soon is not a good thing and a little waiting never hurts anybody. Some of the saddest people in the world are those who were given more than they could maturely handle too early in life. If we are not mature enough to be a good steward of what God has already given us, how can we pray for more? Don’t seek God's privileges before you seek God's character. Privileges may take you to the top, but it’s going to take godly character to keep you there.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~James 1:2-4 (NIV)
What adversity is building your character right now?
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