A Test of Character...

I’m certain I’ve wrote about this topic before. It may even be a repeat entry, but regardless, it needs to be proclaimed again. When we experience adversity, we need not always take it as punishment or discipline from God. Sometimes it may be a direct consequence of our own actions, like getting burned when touching a hot stove. It also may be God testing our character; helping us to see what we are really made of. This is the case for the Israelites during their 40 year journey in the Wilderness. God did it to humble them, to prove their character, and to see if they would obey Him. You see Adversity is a test of our character, not to prove to God what we are made of, rather for God to show ourselves the makeup of our character; flaws, pimples, warts, and all. The key is how we react when go through these adverse times. We can either obey God, and experience growth, or we can try to figure it out on our own and wind up being our own stumbling block, and thus, stunting our growth.

2 Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey His commands. 3 Yes, He humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good. 6 “So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in His ways and fearing Him. Deuteronomy 8:2-6