Why Trials in Our Lives can Shape God’s Character in Us?
Posted by shinelikestars on November 20, 2006
Last week we talk about how we can allow God to Mould your Character through the Trials in our Lives… We realize that our character will become stronger and more victorious after coming out of the desert in our lives. This week we hope to continue why trials in our lives can shape our character…
1. Trials make us Broken before the Lord
Before a pure carbon can become into a diamond, it needs to be refined before become a sparkling diamond. So often when we go through trials, we choose to just give up. We do not realize that these trials are actually allowed by God to make us broken and to mould our character. Thus we can either choose to give up or we can surrender our brokenness before the Lord. The Lord will use those who are broken before Him.
2. Trials make us Dependent on God
It is through circumstances that God shapes our character. Trials form our faith, our perseverance, and our consistency; they help us grow in our trust in the Lord, and they teach us to believe in the promises of His word. Without trials in our lives, we will not be able to learn how to depend on God and we will fail to know how much God wants to do in our lives….
Conclusion
A broken spirit and a contrite heart, the Lord never despises…. God uses us because of His grace and mercy according to His sovereignty and not because we are worthy…. To become like Christ, we need to follow His example of being broken and totally submit and depend on God…
Source of the above message: Message 13
(Taken from the book by Cesar Castellanos D, 52 Teachings for the G12 Meetings)
Teaching 13: A Character Molded by God
The words below are extracts from Pastor Cesar’s book itself…
Introduction
Each one of us is like a diamond in the rough that needs to go through a refining process. One day a friend told me about the process of refining a diamond. Knowing the four step process from this precious stone really caught my attention…The four steps consist of:
1. Cutting
2. Polishing
3. Finding the best possible clarity
4. Mounting the stone on a high place where it can receive light from above and below.1. Cutting the Diamond: Brokenness
Almost every person in ministry has a great desire to please God in the area He has entrusted them with. However some are tempted to abandon everything once they face obstacles along the way… We should understand that the Lord allows us to be attacked by adversary, who confronts us with different kinds of tests, because God uses them to form us. Brokenness is the University God allows us to attend so that the likeness of Christ can be formed in us… No one voluntarily desires to go through tests and difficulties, but God uses adversity to mould our character.2. Polishing the Diamond: God’s Dealing with the Leader
It is through circumstances that God shapes our character. Trials form our faith, our perseverance, and our consistency; they help us grow in our trust in the Lord, and they teach us to believe in the promises of His word.3. The Clarity of the Diamond: Guard the Purity of the Vision
Some people are satisfied with having a vague idea of God’s vision… When I talk about the vision, I am referring to the Government of Twelve, which is the Holy Spirit’s strategy for this time. It stimulates the growth of the churches and allows each believer to fulfill the purpose of God throughout the earth.4. Mounting the Diamond: Fruit produces Honor
Every person involved in the ministry will be honored. They will not only be honored for the length of time they have served, but also for the fruit he or she bears for the God… God honors those who multiply. We know that the things of God start small and end in greatness. Solomon expressed this when he wrote:” The path of the righteousness is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18)… In the beginning, God will not give you great responsibilities. He will first train you by giving you small tasks. As you are faithful in the few, God will entrust you with much more.
Have a good week ahead!
Pastor William
