Through the Lens of Confidence: Transformation - Part 2

When I was in the seventh grade, I had a friend who was much shorter and lighter in weight than myself. I was about average height and weight. Another classmate, tall and stocky, habitually picked on my friend by humiliating him in front of the other kids. One day I came to his defense, which led to an after-school boxing match between myself and this bully.

The miracle of the day was, I survived to tell the story. I was too much of a light weight to win physically, but I won something else, including the way I was perceived by the other kids. The next day the bully came up to shake my hand and to tell me I was a good fighter. That encounter basically ended what was motivating him to bully other classmates.

What I admired about this bully was his inner strength to change how he perceived himself and others. I do not know what changed emotionally or spiritually for him, but God is at work to change those who trust and believe in his power to transform the vilest sinner. The Lord Jesus Christ never overlooks an opportunity to transform the most unlikely candidate.  

Resilience: Character Strength for Survival - Part 3

Freudian psychology promotes the pain and pleasure principle. Freud developed this theory from his observation of people who tend to avoid suffering and pain by seeking pleasure and comfort. The world's economy is geared toward promising happiness and pleasure rather than pain and sorrow.

Pleasure is irresistible when it fits within acceptable boundaries. Within this context the challenge for acquiring pleasure is invigorating. The desire for pleasure kindles a fire that challenges us to take hold of a promising dream by activating our best mental and physical assets. The desire for pleasure drives us to conquer suffering and pain by using every source available.

It takes resilience to conquer all obstructions that prevent us from securing  peace and joy. Resilience, that inner, God-given strength, resists defeat and any pain associated with it. Like Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and countless others, each of us is commissioned to press on toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This alone brings peace and internal satisfaction.  

Resilience: Character Strength for Survival - Part 2

Suffering is inescapable. Most people experience a balance between suffering and pleasure which life generates for each of us. Very few people enjoy suffering or deliberately seek it out, yet there are those who seem to be stuck in its embrace. Resilience is a character attribute that makes it possible to manage suffering.

Listen to Saint Paul from Philippians 3. "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering." This empowered Paul to finish the task Jesus commissioned him to do. Listen to his determination. "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Resilience is so ingrained that giving up is unthinkable.

You can be empowered by Christ Jesus to endure hardships and suffering. Regardless of how drastic your situation may be, God will help you reap the benefits of growing stronger in your faith as you mature, grow stronger, become kinder, and learn to care for others. Achieving these strengths of character is a worthy objective.  

Integrity: Character Strength for a Lifetime - Part 2

Experiencing a crisis of integrity at any stage of adult development is possible. Integrity is one of those words that has far-reaching implications, for it's deeply enmeshed into our character and personality. Integrity reaches into the core of our soul and, in some respects, serves as a guiding light for all of life's opportunities and problems.

When integrity is diminished, our character suffers grave consequences. How would you define integrity? A friend in her late fifties responded with: "A person of integrity has backbone." Another friend said: "A man of integrity is a square shooter." Courage and conviction to do what is right, along with honesty, define integrity for these two people.

God intends for us to evaluate the strength of our integrity because it's vulnerable to change. Our choices sustain, elevate, or diminish integrity, so it's crucial  to remember that God supplies us with his grace, mercy, and forgiveness when sin damages our integrity. God promises to restore and strengthen our integrity as we, in faith, ask him to do so.  

Integrity: Character Strength for a Lifetime - Part 1

The years between youth and retirement often are filled with giving your absolute best for the highest possible achievement, yet both success and failure are prevalent on the pathway to retirement. You're well aware of the determined adolescent who leaves home for college only to return home a semester later unable to re-enroll because of poor grades.

Getting back on track is a requirement at specific intervals along the way to success. What helps is knowing that God is at work to provide confidence for facing an uncertain future. Jesus gave us these words of challenge. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, about your body, what you will wear." He's telling us to re-focus. God cares and will provide.

Moving past failure and disappointment is ultimately dependent on faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who endows us with intrinsic value and self-worth. This motivates us to be receptive to God's purpose for us as our aging consistently progresses onward. God gives us wisdom and discernment for choosing what is appropriate at each stage of our development.