Someone wisely said, “The test of a man’s character is what it takes to stop him.” Life is full of challenges, difficulties, frustrations, disappointments, and setbacks. Such things are woven into the fabric of our very existence. No one is exempt from these trials and tribulations – great or small. They inevitably, regularly, and frequently cross each one’s path. Yet it is in how we respond to the hard things of life that makes all the difference in shaping our character and defining our success in this thing we call life.
Those who have a sense of duty to their daily walk are keen to feel the winds of resistance that color their circumstances. Who hasn’t gotten up in the morning, dressed themselves to go to work knowing that a difficulty of some nature and degree awaits them and moved on with only a sigh? Life is hard and it takes courage and perseverance to make something of it. The longer we live the more we recognize that our desires are visited with disappointment, goals are aborted by our circumstances, and success as we define it seems further from our reach by the hardships we face.
Return to the opening statement. “The test of a man’s character is what it takes to stop him.” For the Christian, God uses all the events of our lives – both good and bad – to shape our character into that image of Jesus Christ. His image in us is what glorifies God and is the true measure of success. So, believer, take heart for God’s purpose in making you like unto his dear Son shall not fail. Rather, in the often overwhelming circumstances of life, rest in this truth: “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Perhaps you do not know this God who is the sovereign God over all of life’s circumstances. Listen to his voice as he speaks to you in the midst of your difficulties. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:1-2).
From the Chaplain 
As I read this I was reminded of the following verse.
Amos 5:18
Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.
We have a great responsibility to share the gospel with a sin cursed world.