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CHARACTER: From Suffering to Hope


Romans 5:3-4 "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope."

 

In the King James Version, the word used for character is experience, more exact, proven experience. This means that whatever the experience was it is something proven. It is an experience that has been completed. The Apostle Paul, author of Romans, is explaining to the people that while there will be times of trouble, when we persevere, we will have a testimony of going through that trouble, trial, suffering or challenge with hopes for endurance of each one life’s daily challenges. We will be able to tell our true story of experiencing the challenges and making it through those difficult times. With the hand of God on our lives, we always have hope for a better tomorrow.

 

Each challenge builds us into a person of stronger faith, not only in God but also in ourselves. Our character is shaped by our lives and what happens in our lives. It is true that some of our character traits are genetic. How we laugh, our mannerisms, even the way we think can be a reflection of our parents and our upbringing. As born-again believers we should have the character traits of our Father in Heaven. We are made in His image. Our character traits should be of love, gentleness, kindness, patience, understanding, and joy. We should reflect His character to a world that needs to know and see that there is calm after the storm. We can endure the messy times of life and be a better example.

 

Many times, we look at our questionable character traits. If we could sit and talk about them, we would most likely find underlying causes for the character flaws. Poor decisions, a bad childhood or difficult relationships in life reveal much. Character traits can be good or bad and will have an impact on how we live life. When God is not a part of someone’s life, they will pick up worldly characteristics. When God is in the heart and mind, He will guide our character to be like Him.

 

Romans 5:5 goes on to speak of 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."

 

Let us each be a character reflection of our Lord, knowing He will always give hope for tomorrow no matter how it looks today.



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