It builds character.

Recently, I may have told some teenagers a few times, “It builds character.” “It” being whatever hardship has come. (Oddly enough, they mentioned that their parents have told them the same thing recently.)

Then, a challenging situation came up the first of this week. I heard my Father say, “It builds character.” I chuckled and then thought about it. Sometimes, we give the advice to the younger, yet some way we forget the advice ourselves. (Or… after yesterday’s blog, it may also be said that “it” reveals character. What is inside comes out. But, I digress.)

Hard things come, especially with disability, isolation, chronic illness, and care-giving. Perspective makes a big difference. First and foremost, we need to turn our eyes on Jesus in it. Then, what if we looked for ways to grow and change in it?

I am not the best at this tip yet. It is hard to remember that “It builds character.” when we are going through things. The tip comes directly from being reminded of it myself over the past couple days. God was using the situation to grow and change me and… to draw me closer to Him. It was not comfortable, but sometimes we have to be uncomfortable to grow.

Psalm 55:19: “¹⁹ God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.”

Verses from the KJV, in the public domain.