The Principle of Character

The Principle of Character
by Angela Hall Dobbins

"Character cannot be developed in peace and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision be cleared, ambition insured and success achieved." - Helen Keller

There is something of great truth in this quote by Helen Keller. I'm sure that many of you are familiar with her story and of the near impossible circumstances she faced as a child who learned to "become", with the help of one dedicated teacher who refused to give up on her. This principle is one which young Miss Keller learned first hand, as a child who was trapped in a world of unimaginable isolation and suffering- being blind, deaf and unable to speak. By overcoming such seemingly insurmountable odds, she learned to emerge from the darkness and became the person God had intended her to be. She made a difference in this world by bringing a portion of hope and inspiration to others through her life's testimony.

This was a principle the early apostles also knew well. I often think how John must have felt while in exile on the Isle of Patmos. How many times he must have looked back over his life and ministry for the cause of His Lord and Savior. How he must have reflected upon the martyrdom of his comrades who gave their lives for what they truly believed in- God's love sent down to mankind through His only Son, Jesus Christ. This was a message they must have preached thousands of times and penned for countless hours, like the Apostle Paul as he wrote to the churches he so tenderly and passionately supported with his fervent prayers, his own blood, sweat and tears.

Over the past five years, the Lord has taught me a little something about suffering. But how my own experience pales in comparison to what these early evangelists and ministers of our Lord must have experienced. And, in even greater contrast, all their suffering combined, as well as the sufferings of all the saints throughout the ages could never compare to what Jesus bore for us. An abundant life He truly came to offer us, in and through HIM. But first, we must be molded and shaped, tempered in the fires of adversity.

I find so much encouragement in the New Testament, both in the words of our Lord as He instructs us directly and in those of His servants, like the Apostle Paul.

Romans 8:35-39, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Paul understood so well what his suffering would achieve and that it was only temporal. Led by the Holy Spirit, he wrote words of encouragement so passionately to the church at Corinth. In the midst of what must have seemed to most like insurmountable odds, as he and his fellow bearers of the Gospel were persecuted and imprisoned for what they believed, Paul wrote:

2 Corinthians 4:6-18, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

This is such a moving passage from God's Word. So many times throughout my own life, I have found that the Lord has used a verse or passage in His Word to encourage, instruct and uplift me. And many times, it has been there that I have found the strength to carry on in the midst of my own affliction. My friend, remember today, as you may experience suffering in this world- perhaps due to the judgment or misunderstanding of others, to chronic illness and pain, or to tragic loss- remember the words of a true servant of Christ and God's words of comfort to you and me:

Romans 5:2-5 "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." NIV

May the Lord comfort and uplift you. Stand true to what you have believed and be assured that neither your labor nor your suffering is in vain. Cling to the promises in His Holy Word and never give up on the dream that is in your heart!

May God bless you today and guide you in becoming all He created you to be!


Love in Christ,
Sister Angela Dobbins
Founder, True Life Family Ministries
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