Had lunch with a great friend today. We are going through similar seasons of life. Over the past year, we both changed jobs offering less pay and less security. We both caused close friends and associates to question our sanity in doing so. And, we both felt absolutely sure God was leading us to launch out into these unfamiliar waters.
We exchanged “war stories” and recalled fond and funny memories of our “previous life”. We looked back and concluded, once again, that our God is faithful to provide all of our needs. We talked about how much we have learned during this new adventure. One thing for sure, we are learning an even greater dependence on Christ. Suffering and struggle and uncertainty puts our faith to the test.
I told him of something I heard years ago from pastor Charles Stanley of FBC Atlanta. He said the problem with young pastors today is, they get handed churches of 1000 or 1500 people and they don’t know how it feels to struggle. What was Dr. Stanley saying? The same thing the Apostle Paul says. And it’s something I don’t like to hear. We like things to come easily, but struggle is necessary for building Christ-like character. Challenges cause us to be less dependent on ourselves and more dependent on God. But the good news is these troubles bring forth proven (tested) character (Romans 5:3-5). Challenges and struggles can keep me from cracking under “real” pressure. That’s a good thing.
So I can rejoice in the challenges of life. Why? Because God’s Word tells me that the result of these challenges can produce “proven character...and hope; and hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:4-5).
Struggle. Challenge. Conflict. Uncertainty. Perhaps God wants to build His character in us so that we will surrender and become absolutely dependent on Him.
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