Depth of Character
As your good Father, know that I am always calling you deeper – for I have good things set aside for you. As I call you into more, you have already felt the pull within you that recognises the cost.
You are so loved. Because of the great love that I have for you, I am calling you to a greater depth of character. Just as a father disciplines and guides his child, so I am doing the same for you.
The distractions, coping mechanisms and compromise of the previous season are not acceptable to me. You must lay them all down to move into surrendered union with me. The relational difficulties you have faced have served to remove your harder edges, to bring forth a softness to your character that is needed to reveal the fullness of my love to others. The tough situations you have walked through have revealed in you a yieldedness and a resilience that have increased your maturity.
Do not avoid the process, as difficult as it may be. Depend on my wisdom, and continue to lean into understanding – for I have so much more to reveal to you. For I am calling forth in you a depth of character that will enable you to stand firm and to love well. I am your perfect Father, and I love you and will continue to shape you according to my perfect will in your life.
Activation: Spend time with the Father, ask him to reveal himself to you and sit in his embrace. Ask him to show his Father’s heart towards you, as you sit in a space of contentment in being his child.
From that place of peace and acceptance, read James 1:2-5.
Ask Holy Spirit to reveal to you the areas of trials, testing & perseverance that Father God has been calling forth in you. Ask for the wisdom and understanding that you need to be able to surrender yourself fully to this process. Let go of any unhelpful distractions, coping mechanisms or areas of compromise that have been holding you back from stepping into maturity.
James 1:2-5 (NIV)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance
finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you
lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it
will be given to you.”
Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us
develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character
strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our
hearts with his love.”
