Character > Circumstances

Simple choice: is God more interested in your character or your circumstances?

To answer that question, let’s look at a few simple examples...

If God was more interested in our circumstances, He would have:

• Left Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
• Not given free will to Abraham and Lot on where they lived (Lot chose the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah)
• Let the Israelites cross into the Promised Land the first time they arrived at the Jordan River; instead He made them wander many more years till the ‘slave’ generation died out and the people’s character, courage and faith in God matured and they were ready to inherit the land
• Not let Babylon, Egypt, Assyria overrun Judea and Israel and put many people in exile
• Christ didn’t stop the storm when Peter steps out of the boat; in certain instances, He only stops the storm because the disciples are fainting with fear
• “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested...” God will change your situation so that your life is easy-peasy...not! “...your endurance has a chance to grow...you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1.2-4) 
• “He is so rich in kindness and grace that...” He purchased everything we’d ever need and showered us with all the gifts our hearts desire...not! “...He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1.7-8)

To paraphrase a business adage, Character eats Circumstances for breakfast!

Then the question is: when we disciple, coach, mentor others, what are we most interested in: their character or their success? When we raise our kids, how often do we try to ease their circumstances? 

And then to bring it back to us: How are we praying for our circumstances? How often do we ask God to develop our character? (Remember the joke that you shouldn’t pray for patience because then all kinds of irritating people and frustrating circumstances will be afflicted upon you.) How often do you ask God questions to better understand His perspective on any situation, rather than tell Him what you think should happen?