char-ac-ter
- the good qualities that are esteemed and respected in a person
- the attributes that make a person valuable to society
- biblical: the fruit of hardship approached in faith
- personal: what God etches in your life through suffering
"Not only this but we also exult in our tribulations, know that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, prove character; and proven character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 NASB
Churchill grew up a sickly stutterer whose father truly hated him and young Churchill never did well in school. He battled depressions all his life so that even when he was prime minister of England he wouldn’t stay in a room with a balcony for fear he might throw himself off. One of his daughters died in infancy, another committed suicide and he was estranged from his son for years at a time.
Yet this man was considered one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century. Why? It was character. Churchill was proof of Paul’s text for today. God uses our suffering and hardship to shape us in his image and make us useful to this suffering world.
God uses suffering to wean us from immaturity, break the power the world holds on us and move us to seek Jesus and our destiny with him.
"Once can acquire everything in solitude except character." Stendhal
Today’s Wisdom
Keep a tight reign on your temper.
"A patient man has great understanding but a quick-tempered man displays folly." Proverbs 14:29
Today’s Humor
- There are two rules for success: 1.) Don’t tell all you know.
- If #2 pencils are the most popular, are they still #2?
- A clean desk is a sign of a cluttered drawer.
Enjoy the sunshine! Michael