Trials and Character

This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7 NET)

Both the Apostle Peter and Paul wrote about trials that we have to go through. Peter wrote this passage, and Paul wrote the passage in Romans 5:3-5. Both say that we go through these trials because they produce character. The problem with us is that most of the time when a problem rises in our lives, the resulting character is less than stellar. In fact most of us groan, complain, get angry, get frustrated, etc. What we need to be doing at these times is developing patience, because patience will produce endurance, and endurance will produce character, the Godly character that Paul and Peter were writing about. When we behave in such a way that Godly character is the result, others see this. Think about it, when a problem rises in our lives and we "fly off the handle," this will not be a good witness to others, in fact we will look just like someone who is not saved. But when we start handling problems with patience and endurance, people will notice a difference and wonder what you have that they don't! This ONLY comes about by trusting God to handle your situation. When you get frustrated and angry, that should be the "red flag" that you are not trusting God, but yourself to solve your problems. You only learn to trust God by letting go of the problem and allowing Him to handle it. This is Godly character!

Take Away: When problems rise in your life, let God handle it, and while He is doing that, be patient, don't continue to look at your problem, but look to Him and worship and thank Him for taking care of it.