Thursday, January 29, 2009
Character Does Matter
Remember, When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, everything is lost. ~ Billy Graham.
Scripture:
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (New King James Version)
What is character? Webster defines it as, one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. As a writer, one of the things that I have learned to do is define the traits of my characters. I do this by examining various things about them and establishing what roles they will play in the telling of my stories.
It takes all kinds of characters to create a story. There will be good and bad characters and even the good characters will have what is known as character flaws; you know the things that make them human. Some of those character flaws might include; arrogance, dishonesty, short-temperedness, or the need to always be right.
They might be a perfectionist, nit-picky or maybe they always need to play the victim and blame the other guy. They might be selfish, miserly, stubborn, rigid or inflexible, narrow-minded, vain, prideful, or simply humorless; unable to laugh at themselves.
When you study ethics, you learn that there are six pillars of character. The Six Pillars of Character are ethical values to guide our choices. They are; Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. The standards of conduct that arise out of those values constitute the ground rules of ethics, and therefore of ethical decision-making.
In the above scripture we learn that as Christians, we will have trials and tribulations that will help us to develop our characters. So often the lessons learned will be painful. Albeit, necessary. It is in the development of our character that we realize that there is hope and that hope, does not disappoint.
So my friends rejoice in your trials and tribulations because character does matter.
Be blessed.
Prayer:
Father God, so often the lessons of life can be painful. They will often cause us heartache and pain. However, we realize that in everything that we go through, it is for our benefit. Without character development, we might never know the love of God. We realize that sometimes it is necessary for life to squeeze out those character flaws. We sometimes look around us at the world and wonder, why are things so wrong? How can people do some of the things that they do? We realize that there is no hope and people will do strange things in desperation. Lord, we thank You for the hope that has been given to us through Christ Jesus. We thank You for Your word that constantly encourages us and gives is the wisdom and the strength we need to change our ways. Lord, so many are going through so much and we just want to ask that Your grace and mercy would rain down into the lives of Your Saints who need just a drop to refresh them and give them strength. Continue to bless all of Yours this day. In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (New King James Version)
What is character? Webster defines it as, one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. As a writer, one of the things that I have learned to do is define the traits of my characters. I do this by examining various things about them and establishing what roles they will play in the telling of my stories.
It takes all kinds of characters to create a story. There will be good and bad characters and even the good characters will have what is known as character flaws; you know the things that make them human. Some of those character flaws might include; arrogance, dishonesty, short-temperedness, or the need to always be right.
They might be a perfectionist, nit-picky or maybe they always need to play the victim and blame the other guy. They might be selfish, miserly, stubborn, rigid or inflexible, narrow-minded, vain, prideful, or simply humorless; unable to laugh at themselves.
When you study ethics, you learn that there are six pillars of character. The Six Pillars of Character are ethical values to guide our choices. They are; Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. The standards of conduct that arise out of those values constitute the ground rules of ethics, and therefore of ethical decision-making.
In the above scripture we learn that as Christians, we will have trials and tribulations that will help us to develop our characters. So often the lessons learned will be painful. Albeit, necessary. It is in the development of our character that we realize that there is hope and that hope, does not disappoint.
So my friends rejoice in your trials and tribulations because character does matter.
Be blessed.
Prayer:
Father God, so often the lessons of life can be painful. They will often cause us heartache and pain. However, we realize that in everything that we go through, it is for our benefit. Without character development, we might never know the love of God. We realize that sometimes it is necessary for life to squeeze out those character flaws. We sometimes look around us at the world and wonder, why are things so wrong? How can people do some of the things that they do? We realize that there is no hope and people will do strange things in desperation. Lord, we thank You for the hope that has been given to us through Christ Jesus. We thank You for Your word that constantly encourages us and gives is the wisdom and the strength we need to change our ways. Lord, so many are going through so much and we just want to ask that Your grace and mercy would rain down into the lives of Your Saints who need just a drop to refresh them and give them strength. Continue to bless all of Yours this day. In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
