Day 48 Character Shaping

 

2/17/2026

 "Reputation is what others think you are;

character is what God knows you are!"

Daily Walk

 

Over the past several months I feel as if the Lord has been pruning me, reminding me of things I had locked deeply away, causing me to remember painful memories, and getting me to check my motives and refocus my thoughts. This morning in my devotional reading the following questions were asked:

"What circumstances has God brought into your life to build your character: a difficult relationship? a conflict at work? a physical or financial problem?"

My thoughts went back several years ago to a couple of situations involving the job I was working, challenged by different personalities and situations. Remembering back to a time when I was accused of saying some things in my new position, supposedly exalting myself. I didn't understand where this accusation came from, as I always quiet, and I hardly spoke a word. I was insecure in my position, so I definitely had no interest whatsoever in a higher one. I was devastated as I endured three horrendous first months in that position, until finally the person who had falsely accused me left the job along with everyone else. I was the last man standing, but I persevered. I didn't run away and hide, although I cried enough tears to float a boat. I'll never understand why this happened, but I certainly was relieved when I was vindicated. After that incident, there came another time, a few years later, when a disgruntled employee tried to include me in her vendetta, but I squashed that attempt face on. I didn't go behind anyone's back, I handled it straight on and politely. When the manager called me, she told me that she never thought I'd been involved, as she knew my character. That meant the world to me, as I represent Jesus, and I am very low key, mind my own business, try to be helpful, and do the best job I can. We are to do everything as unto the Lord, and I have always tried to follow that command. I can also be my own worst enemy by over thinking every decision I made then and do now. I just want to honor God, because I've not always been the person He has made me today. 

I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and Holy Spirit is faithful to let me know when I am missing the mark. I've had and continue to have difficult relationships. I try to guard my heart and not react defensively, but I have failed. Right now I am waiting for someone to return my call who becomes upset with me often, but I pray that when the call does come, things can be resolved. My heart is easily broken, because I don't like wasted time.Time is precious, and we are told to number our days. 

The greatest recent challenge I have faced happened in early December with the loss of our vehicles. My son was involved in a type of hit and run accident, where another vehicle knocked my car off the road into a ditch, thankfully not injuring my son or taking his life, but my car was totaled. Then our back up vehicle, my dad's old car, had seen its last days, so it could not be repaired. It took a couple of months to get through all of that, and we finally located a good used car that was delivered today. We are thankful for the blessing, and we hope to get on the road soon to check out our investment. There were many stressful days, involving side issues with health, but I pray that our wait is indeed over, and that we made a good decision. Time will tell. I must say that the enemy tried to cause some problems from every conceivable direction, but our faith remained strong. I'm not certain why all of this happened, but I know that it has been a special time of introspection, sitting with the Lord, listening to His counsel. Perhaps it was meant to be a time of quieting my spirit, so that I could sit with the Lord a little longer. I don't know, but what I do know is that I learned many things, and I was able to look within myself and see some things that needed to be changed.

Not too long ago the Lord gave me a vision about going further out into the deep, and I believe that this is part of that vision. There is always further to go, and while I am listening and walking in obedience and faith, I realize that the enemy is going to bring in more distractions. I can almost sit here and list the number of arrows flying past my head, attempting to throw my attention off of Jesus onto other things. But I know that my victory is in Christ, and He has already won the battle. The battle is never ours to fight. It belongs to the Lord who made heaven and earth, and He never slumbers nor sleeps.