Half-hearted Prophets and Compromised Faith - Part 1

Adversity has the tendency to harden the heart and create bitterness or even despair. Some ways people try to avoid adversity are by changing jobs, moving, getting divorced, or trying to manage their hurt and pain by seeking short-lived pleasures. Balaam, the Old Testament prophet, left the straight narrow way to run after wealth and escape the obstructions of poverty.

It wasn't just lusting after riches that pulled Balaam off the straight path.  He wanted to escape a lifestyle of being a con man who lived a life of deception. The heart of the matter was that adversity had hardened his heart and created a sick, unhealthy way of thinking which led to abandoning God’s purpose for his life.

Balaam, a half-hearted prophet, refused to follow God's instructions after permitting unrighteousness to get a foothold in his life. Unrighteousness included unhealthy thought patterns, unwholesome feelings, and sinful actions which he refused to reject. You wage war on unrighteousness with God's word and prayer. May God bless and keep you close to himself.

Resilience: Character Strength for Survival - Part 1

When reading biographies of Christian martyrs, it's impossible not to be amazed by their character strength to endure hardship and pain. They refused to give in to pressures and temptations and abandon their commitment to Christ and his church. Their faith paralleled St. Paul's, who was willing to face death rather than default on his faith in Christ. "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day."

President John F. Kennedy acknowledged this strength of character. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Defectors and traitors usually are despised because they portray a weakness of character like Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Resilience is a character strength that enables each of us to overcome adversity and hardships we're bound to face. Pain is inescapable, but St. Paul declared that he rejoiced in suffering because he knew that suffering produced perseverance, another good synonym for resilience. Standing up to adversity strengthens your faith in Christ Jesus.