Who you are...

We all have that one character in a book, movie or TV show that we love. Maybe it's because we can relate to them. Maybe it's because we secretly wish we were more like them or we secretly wish we had the life they have on camera. Maybe it's because they possess certain qualities you don't have at the moment. Whatever the case, in many instances, what you see on the screen is not the truth. What's behind the scenes is another story.

Our life can be similar to a movie. In front of people we portray ourselves one way, but when we're alone it's another story. Maybe it's a particular situation we're facing, a secret addiction we're battling, a huge disappointment we're going though, or a life altering event that has affected our character.

It is said that our character is who we really are. It is the moral fibers that makeup who we are when no one is looking or when the spotlight is not on us. Abraham Lincoln said, "Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it, the tree is the real thing." The bottom line is that the real you will come out. We show our true self by the choices we make and the way we treat others. The good news is that character is your choice and God wants you to allow Him to mold your character so that you can be all that God has designed you to be and to experience life to the fullest.

Oftentimes, our true character comes out when we are going through difficulties. Our feelings and emotions are running high, but it is precisely in those times that you get to choose how you will go through it. You can can choose to go through it with God, or you can choose to walk on your own.

Romans 5:3-4 says: Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, CHARACTER; and character hope (emphasis added).

When we go through sufferings with God, it produces something positive in our life. It helps our faith to grow. It draws us closer to God. It allows us to know God in a more intimate and personal way that will change us at the core. It is not God's plan to harm us in the process, but rather to build us up. You see, when all is well, it is easy to be grateful and full of joy and faith, but when hardships come, we often want to give up, complain and call it quits.

Perhaps you find yourself in a difficult situation where you feel uncertainty, fear, anxiety or depression. I want to encourage you to go though it with Jesus. Lean on Jesus. Choose to obey him even if you feel like you're at your breaking point. Trust him. This will produce lasting hope and perseverance. On the other hand, if you choose to walk on your own and ignore God, it will produce hardness of heart, isolation and hopelessness.

Your character is important to God. If we choose to walk with him in the difficulties we will experience true peace in the midst of difficulties. Maybe you have tried to walk on your own with no success. Come to Jesus. Bring your brokenness. Bring the shattered pieces of your heart. God is not intimidated by brokenness. It's precisely in that season of brokenness God wants to teach you how faithful He is and how much he loves you. God wants to bring to life everything you have read about in the Bible. He doesn't want you to just read about it. He wants you to experience his goodness for yourself.