Do you know how a pearl develops? It happen when a foreign substance slips into an oyster between it's mantle and shell. This irritates the oyster, much like a splinter might bother you. The oyster reacts to cover up and protect itself from the irritant with layers of natural substance, eventually forming a pearl.
God has a similar process for developing character. You sometimes experience irritants through physical and emotional pain, or through trials, temptations, or delays. When you react in a godly way to such mild or severe irritants , an extraordinary character is formed in you. You may feel as though God has been using heavenly sandpaper, instead, to shape your character! With either method, He has probably been taking full advantage of life's rigorous and varied situations to help you grow spiritually, because good character is critical to fulfilling His plan for your life.
God Is An Expert At Shaping Character
Have you been dealing with particularly difficult people lately? If so, perhaps you are learning about the importance of patience. Is God asking you to tithe to teach you obedience, commitment, and generosity? Has He allowed you to remain in a situation in which you have said, "My back is against the wall," so you would learn to trust Him? Has an unfair decision taught you about wisdom and honesty? Has suffering invited humility along?
How is God Developing Your Character?
Phillip Needed His Character Developed
Phillip, one of the twelve apostles, was sometimes a skeptic who could not express a firm belief about the power of Jesus. So, Jesus tested him to help develop him as a man of faith and conviction. Read John 6:5-12. If you could tell God how you would like your next character trait developed, what process would you suggest He use?
Scripture to Ponder:
"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptible to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)
What Insight, Prayer, or Action Step Has God Laid on Your Heart Today?
Exert taken from "Praying for Purpose" by Dr. Katie Brazelton (pg 97-100)
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1 comment:
Rachel & Cherlynn~
Thank you for posting your comments.
Like you both God has really been challenging me on my tongue, especially with regard to discussing people. I've decided that my new filter will include two things.
1) Does my conversation/talk honor this particular person?
2) If the person I'm discussing was a part of this conversation, would I say the same thing?
I've been working with this filter for a few weeks and it's definitely a challenge, but I'm noticing how much God is developing my character through the experience.
Does anyone else struggle with this? What are your "unspoken" filters? What others is God developing your character?
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