Focus on Your Values - Part 2

When I consider the small farming community where I lived as a child and compare it to my life now, it's pretty awesome to live in one of the largest cities in the U.S. Most of the people from that little community were good Christian people. Although it was a safe place to grow up, accidents happened. A close neighbor was killed when his tractor ran over him.

Things were not perfect. There were bullies in the school like in today's big city schools. Alcoholism was a problem in my parents' families. Three important entities that promoted spiritual and moral values were my home, a good school, and a little Baptist church. These have provided safeguards and guidelines for my entire life.

Values may become muddled when weaknesses are allowed to overpower our character strengths. It's tempting to become discouraged by weaknesses that tend to rise up and dominate. Romans 8:26 offers these words of reassurance. "The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses." Right now ask Christ Jesus to help you realize how he’s at work to accomplish this goal within you.  

Rising Above Character Weaknesses - Part 3

I was surprised when Saul, the first king of Israel, was featured in my college abnormal psychology text book. The way Saul is portrayed in the Bible, it’s understandable why he could be the subject for discussion in a psychology class at a state university.

Saul became so jealous of David that he tried to kill him. Initially Saul employed David to play the harp, which seemed to calm him when what were identified as evil spirits would take hold of him." This condition besieged Saul after the Spirit of the Lord departed him following his arrogant rejection of God's guidelines for his life.

Saul’s life doesn’t reflect complete failure. He forged together a nation out of twelve scattered tribes. He set up a state government and commanded an army that won major battles. He did, however, lose the battle for control over his weaknesses. Jesus said, "I have come to seek and save the lost," so our values should be anchored in Christ Jesus, who frees us from sin that besieges us. Great is God’s mercy!

Rising Above Character Weaknesses - Part 2

Although the U.S. presidential election is over, news organizations and others will continue searching for information to debunk the new president’s power to govern. False information becomes as powerful as truth when information services engage in a feeding frenzy to inundate consumers. This indicates that strengths and weaknesses exist in each person and will influence personal choices.

Pointing out weaknesses in others comes easier than owning them in ourselves. The most difficult course I took in graduate school required me to identify my weaknesses and share them with appropriate fellow classmates. I was surprised by the respect I gained for others who openly identified their weaknesses.

You’re aware of the Greek caption, “Know Thyself". 1 Corinthians 11:28 encourages believers to examine themselves before taking communion. It's important to recognize unconfessed sin and to resolve differences with others. This brings honor to Christ and the church for which he suffered and died. Consider this truth and take appropriate action.  

Rising Above Character Weaknesses - Part 1

It was said of President John F. Kennedy that he possessed all the necessary attributes for winning the White House. Among those attributes were privilege and personal relationships, in addition to possessing a strong personality and charisma. However, all these personality traits do not guarantee the nonexistence of character weaknesses.

Balaam possessed these character strengths, including power to influence the king of Moab’s policies concerning the Hebrew people. Even with these strong personality traits, he failed to achieve positive results. He refused to submit his weaknesses to the redemptive, cleansing power of God.

When weaknesses rule, your strengths lose their power. When Julius Caesar permitted himself to be seduced by Cleopatra, he lost respect and power, which prompted his assassination in 34 B.C. God promises you a way to escape temptation by making his power and help instantaneously available to all who earnestly seek it. Thank God for his mercy and kindness.