STRUGGLES BUILD OUR CHARACTER

No one likes struggles. Everyone likes a pleasant and happy way of things in life. This is but a natural desire. However, ask anyone who have ever achieved any thing in life, what is the one thing that they did, which helped them stand where they are today. In all probability they would say, it is their ability to hold on to their dream, and pursue it despite obstacles and struggles. Yes, it is this ability to pursue, despite what our heart and mind might suggest otherwise, that builds our character, and shapes the person that we are.
– “Everyone wants to skip the struggle not knowing that, that is where the character is built.” – Anonymous

Every life has struggles. Everything that one dreams of, and wishes to achieve in life has to encounter struggles and storms. God allows them in our lives for our good, and for our benefit. What most of us don’t realise is that, the struggles that we face in life are actually, a part of the divine obstacle course, that are allowed to be in our path, so that we become stronger and sturdier, to achieve all what we have set out to. Struggles, sufferings and storms are meant to shape us, and sharpen us.
– “2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-4
– “3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5

Let us never forget that, “STRUGGLES BUILD OUR CHARACTER.” When we do not give up, but continue to walk on the path, without compromising on our values, ethics and principles in the face of struggles and storms, our character is forged and firmed up. Such a character give us all what we need to stand firm and tall in the face of all our struggles and storms. 

How is it going for us? What obstacles are we facing in our lives today? How are we approaching our obstacles this morning? Do we want to give up? Do we want to stop? Let us not stop, nor give up. The victory belongs to the one who chooses to plod on, despite the struggles and the storms. The LORD stands with us in all our struggles and storms. He does not leave us nor forsake us. He is always right beside us. So let us stop being troubled, but rather, let us look to the LORD Jesus, and step out in faith. He will take care of everything else.
– “11…for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:11-13
Even so, the LORD help us.