“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

Character Building

A friend had asked me some questions recently about leadership. I was going through my files to look at some of my notes, and came across something that spoke to my heart. It’s about Character vs Reputation. It was from some sermon notes from Floyd’s father, Floyd Sr.  I thought I would share it with you.

  • Character is the one thing we develop in this world and take with us into the next.
  • Character is what you really are; reputation is what people say you are supposed to be.
  • Character is the face; reputation is the photograph.
  • Character grows from within; reputation grows from without.
  • Reputation is what you have when you move to a new community. Character is what you have when you leave.
  • Character is built over a lifetime. Reputation can be made in a moment.
  • Character grows like an oak; reputation grows like a mushroom.
  • A single news report can give you a reputation. A life of diligence gives you character.
  • Reputation is what men will say about you on your tombstone. Character is what the angels will say about you before the throne of God.

My father-in-law was a wonderful man of character. I was privileged to learn from him and glean from his walk with the Lord. This list reads like a summary of his life. I’ve been reflecting on it for a few days.

The thought that keeps coming to me is that character is developed primarily in the hard seasons of life, the trials. To some degree it might be developed in the “smooth” seasons, but primarily the growth comes when things are tough and we have to wrestle with our choices and responses to the hard things.

I don’t like trials! I’ve sometimes complained to the Lord about the trials I’ve walked through. A number of years ago our daughter was very ill for 6½ years. We were caring for her 24/7. It was a hard season. In the midst of that, there was another big trial that came our way. I can remember standing in our cabin where we lived in Colorado and saying to Floyd, “This isn’t fair! Doesn’t God understand how hard it is already? Why is He giving us more?”

Floyd was also struggling with the heavy load, but I remember Him looking at me and saying, “This is where we have to keep our eyes on the Lord and trust Him. He’ll give us the grace and strength to make it through.” And He was right! It was sooooo hard, but God helped us. We learned so much, we grew in our walk with Him, we survived—and there came a day when our daughter was healed.

I look back to that season and can see so many things that God taught us. Things that became part of our character! I sat this morning in my quiet time and reflected back over a number of hard times, trials in my life. I can see in each one how God was shaping and forming my character. The character building in each trial I’ve walked through has become part of who I am today. I read a quote in a book that emphasizes this. “The choices we make in the place of trial today are greatly the fruit of choices we have made in our yesterdays.” SO, SO true!

I don’t know what’s ahead, but I do know that I want my choices today to be ones that will impact my character.

Lord, we are grateful that You are patient with us as we endeavor to learn Your lessons. Develop Your character in us. Amen.