Develops Character

God is always more concerned with our character than our circumstances.

June 3

Delayed Deprivation develops character. As we are waiting for scales to come off, and for truth to be seen, it can be easy to want to give up, to grow weary in well-doing. Fighting against the lies the enemy wants us to believe is hard work. We need to be alert to his schemes. As we stand in power and truth we become better people. We become kinder, stronger, and wiser.

I am reminded of Joseph. God had incredible plans for him, but before any of that could happen Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, rather than killed. He was accused of attempted rape when in fact he was behaving honorably. He was thrown in jail by Potiphar. And then he was forgotten there. Well, not completely forgotten, God never forgot. God was more concerned with Joseph’s character. He was more concerned with who Joseph was becoming then what he was going through. It is easy for us to look at the story and because we know the glorious ending, we don’t think much of the personal struggle Joseph must have endured. He had those glorious visions as a young boy. Visions of power and honor. Sitting in Jail, He must have entertained the thoughts of, how did I get here. Where is God and what happened to my dreams? We do know that Joseph leaned into God for strength encouragement and wisdom during those times. He continued to trust that God had a plan. God was not done with his story. God is not done with my story either, or yours for that matter. God is always more concerned with our character than our circumstances. God transforms us more often through our trials than our victories. Delayed deliverance develops character