Character

Character over comfort. Wisdom over answers. Peace over remedy. While the Bible offers us beautiful truths about the unwavering love of God, it does not give us the satisfaction of delivering us the worldly desires of our hearts. It does not promise happiness, prosperity, ease or comfort. But one thing we are eternally guaranteed throughout scripture is that He is constantly working through us. When walking in seasons of challenge and confusion, lean on the words of the Apostle Paul as he writes in Romans 5:3-5,

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has given us”

The sanctification process seldom occurs during times of stability but rather amidst uncertainty and suffering. And while it can be unsettling to hear that, Paul's description of the use of tribulation to produce eternal character and hope reveals God’s heart to us in a way that brings peaceful solace to all the questions the world presents to us. By this we learn to great tribulation with the exultation and joy- for the reward we receive through hardship outweighs the ephemeral feelings of comfort.