Depth of character is realized under pressure. Anyone can be a Christian when things go well at work, but how do you do when a little pressure, a little pain, a little discomfort, criticism or gossip, a sick child, loss of income, are applied? When your fruit is squeezed, what kind of juice comes forth? We must remember that it is God’s will, “that you should be sanctified” (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Romans 8:29), to make you whole, mature and complete, not to make you happy, but to conform you into the image of Christ Jesus – the true blessing. We should see our struggles as opportunities for growth. God will not leave you alone with your problems; He is as close as you will allow and will help you grow.

James, Jesus’ brother, wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). James does not say IF we face trials, but WHENEVER. We are either in a storm, just coming out of one, or there are storm clouds brewing on the horizon. Storms are a normal part of the journey.

We are never to feign happiness in pain, but if we are growing in Christ-likeness, we should be demonstrating a more eternal, positive perspective (considering it pure joy), because we are realizing that we are training for reigning. Instead of focusing on the problem, we should focus on what we should be learning (Romans 2:7; 5:3-5; 8:24,25; 2 Corinthians 6:3-7; 2 Peter 1:2-9).

In an interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren said:

People ask me, “What is the purpose of life?” And I respond, “In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity.” We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body – but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillion of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act, the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn’t going to make sense.”

We need to ask: “Am I going to live for my work? More real estate? Upgrades? Poplularity? Am I going to be driven by business pressures, jealousy, or do I realize God’s purpose for me where I am right now?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, “God, if I don’t get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better and I want others to see you in everything I am and do today. When we realize that God put us here for His glory, His purposes, life becomes very interesting and fulfilling. Maybe that’s why we’re called human beings and not human doings.

Live Christ Deliberately,
Doug Morrell