The hands that toil

The heart that hurts

The spirit depresses

The body that aches

The hope that dims

Emotion fray

All contribute to building of character.

Samson & Delilah

Steel is only as good and strong as it is until & unless it has undergone through extreme pressure and heat. A person’s character is by no means any different. It must go through the mills of life to be worth anything at all. To be strong, courageous and principled and not to be swayed, a person’s character must be able to withstand the onslaught of all kinds.

In Biblical times, we see many examples of heroic character. Samson, made more famous by the Hollywood depiction on the big screen of “Samson and Delilah” was strong & brave and could single-handedly defeat the whole army of enemies. He was however weak in character and fell victim to the wiles of Delilah. Samson had great anointing by lacked character.

Of greater significance to illustrate character building is the fine example of Joseph. “ . . . It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:52). Bullied by his brothers, sold into slavery, taken for dead, departed from his family and imprisoned in Egypt he was ultimately raised to prosperity. All the time of suffering, he was growing roots deep into the spiritual soil of his soul.

Suffering builds character. In nature, whenever there is a famine, tree roots are forced to grow deeper into the soil to find water. Times like these are designed to created a deep-rooted faith that our nature will be transformed forever. No doubt while in the midst of it all, we may invariably ask why all these sufferings. Such is human nature.

Paul Chong

A Chinese by Descent

An Australian by Consent

Thursday, 10 September 2009