Character Building.

David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him.1 Samuel 22:1

The great college basketball coach John Wooden said: “Be more concerned about your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” Character building experiences are those experiences that build up our worthwhile characteristics. Honesty, faithfulness, integrity, caring, empathy. Many times they are not pleasant. In fact, they often times hurt and are difficult to endure. Christians come to realize that building character is part of the experience of growing a deeper relationship with God.

The story of David is perhaps one of the most incredible and powerful stories in all of the written word. God declares David the next king in his youth. David is forced to flee as Saul tries to kill him seven times. David is forced to beg for the bread from the altar when he is hungry, act like he is crazy to escape the King of Gath and hide in the cave of Adullam. If God sent us word we would be the next president, wouldn’t we step forward and begin to make our way to Washington? Often as Christians we leave out the part where God has to prepare us for the role we will assume. We have to be refined and tried in the fire like silver so that there will be no doubt we can face the obstacles, resist the temptations, make the difficult decisions and keep the faith when we arrive at our destination. Don’t be discouraged when you meet life’s challenges. Accept the opportunity to grow stronger.

My prayer for you today is that God give you the discernment to know when your tough time is for your own good.

Deacon Larry Woodard