Self-Made Man

SELF-MADE MAN

We take great pride in the benefit of of being a self-made man or woman. We love hearing stories of people that have pulled themselves up by their own boot straps. We look out and find someone to pattern our lives after. We mold, fashion, and shape ourselves along with our own predilections into the perfect person. On the surface this is admirable, but there is one caveat: while all this construction is taking place, it is not God's blueprint we are following, but our own.

You see, God knows what character traits need to be developed in your life. I think it's worth mentioning the fact that self-improvement is an admirable goal. But did you ever stop to consider that we usually want to acquire the type of character traits that are associated with a life of ease and prosperity? And let face it.......it's all about us.

• We want to learn generosity which implies that we'll have so much wealth we can afford to give some to others.
• We want to develop humility which means that we first must achieve greatness in order to have something to be humble about.
• We want to be known for greatfulness which suggests that God, through people and circumstances, has been so kind to us we should respond with appreciation.
• We want to reflect a tranquil spirit of contentment which supposes that we have a fret-free life of ease.

But what if God determines that we need to develop an entirely different set of character traits? And what if the character set He has in mind can be forged in our lives only through adversity? What if He knows we need character values such as the following?

• Patience. Staying calm without complaining when the need is urgent but the solution is not yet a reality. The problem with patience is that it is only developed in desperate times.
• Endurance. The ability to bear prolonged pain or hardship. You enjoy prosperity; adversity must be endured. Thus, the precedent to endurance is tragedy and misfortune.
• Forgiveness. Graciously excusing an offense that was committed against us. If everyone is always nice and polite to you, you'll have no chance to forgive. Your only chance at developing forgiveness is to take a few harsh, undeserved shots from others.
• Integrity. Sticking to your moral principles even when it means you will suffer unjust adverse circumstances. There is no ethical dilemma if there is no downside. Integrity is forged only in the furnace of criticism and consequences.
• Honesty. Being truthful when it is the difficult and unpopular thing to do. Honesty comes naturally if praise and rewards are involved. But you develop honesty only in those tough times when it would be much easier to avoid the truth. 

If you think you know what is best for yourself, then you can design your life any way you want it. Pick and choose those character traits that require no effort or discomfort, be sure include sloth and selfishness. Byt if you truly believe that God knows what is best for you, then you can't pick and choose by disregarding what is important to Him. Some of the character traits in His grand design can be achieved in your life only through harsh conditions. Remember this: God doesn't design hardship to make you fall flat; but He does hope that you'll be brought to your knees.