Transforming Character Through Trials and Divine Partnership

 

Summary

In today's discussion, we delved into the profound journey of character development and the integral role of God in this process. The essence of our lives is not defined by our achievements or possessions but by the person we become, which is fundamentally about our character. This transformation is not something we can achieve through sheer willpower or self-help strategies alone. Instead, it requires a partnership with God, acknowledging our limitations and inviting His presence into our lives.

We explored the concept of post-traumatic growth, which suggests that significant personal growth often arises from trials and suffering. This aligns with the teachings in the book of James, where trials are seen as opportunities to develop character. The discussion highlighted the importance of recognizing our strengths, even amidst trauma, and how these experiences can lead to a deeper, more resilient character.

A key aspect of this journey is mindfulness, which, when approached from a Christian perspective, involves being present to the presence of God in the present moment. This practice allows us to experience God's unconditional love and goodness, fostering virtues such as humility, gratitude, and love. By being present with God, we not only cultivate these virtues within ourselves but also extend them to the world around us, living in what was beautifully described as the "loop of love."

To cultivate this presence, practical steps such as centering prayer or strengthening prayer were discussed. These practices involve dedicating time to focus on God, using a single word to redirect our thoughts back to Him whenever distractions arise. This simple yet profound practice helps us remain anchored in God's presence, allowing His love to flow through us and transform our character.

Key Takeaways:

1. Character Over Achievements: Our true essence is defined by our character, not our accomplishments or possessions. This character is what we carry into eternity, emphasizing the importance of nurturing virtues like love, humility, and gratitude. [00:39]

2. Growth Through Trials: Trials and suffering can lead to significant personal growth, a concept known as post-traumatic growth. These experiences test and refine our character, aligning with the biblical teaching that trials develop perseverance and maturity. [01:59]

3. Mindfulness in Faith: Christian mindfulness involves being present to God's presence in the present moment. This practice opens us to experience God's love and goodness, fostering virtues and allowing us to live in a "loop of love" that extends to others. [06:11]

4. Partnership with God: Recognizing our limitations, we must invite God into our journey of character development. This partnership acknowledges that while we cannot achieve transformation alone, God can, and we must let Him work within us. [03:50]

5. Practical Spiritual Practices: Practices like centering prayer help us remain present to God's presence. By dedicating time to focus on God and using a single word to redirect our thoughts, we cultivate a deeper connection with Him, allowing His love to transform us. [11:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:07] - Encountering Character Strengths
- [00:39] - The Essence of Character
- [01:04] - Introducing Dr. Roger Bretherton
- [01:21] - Understanding Trauma and Growth
- [01:59] - Post-Traumatic Growth
- [03:00] - Growth Through Suffering
- [03:14] - Self-Help vs. Divine Help
- [03:50] - The Role of God in Growth
- [04:24] - The Need for Something More
- [05:04] - Mindfulness and Presence
- [06:11] - Being Present to God's Presence
- [07:11] - Defining Virtue
- [08:01] - Practicing Character Strengths
- [09:19] - Living in the Loop of Love
- [10:21] - Practical Steps to Presence
- [11:25] - Centering Prayer Practice
- [12:38] - Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. James 1:2-4 - "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."
2. Psalm 16:8 - "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the main thing that God gets out of our lives? How does this relate to our character? [00:39]

2. What is the concept of post-traumatic growth, and how does it relate to the teachings in the book of James? [01:59]

3. How does the sermon describe the practice of Christian mindfulness, and what is its purpose? [06:11]

4. What are some practical spiritual practices mentioned in the sermon that help us remain present to God's presence? [11:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the idea of character being more important than achievements challenge common societal values? What implications does this have for a Christian's life? [00:39]

2. In what ways can trials and suffering lead to personal growth, according to the sermon and the book of James? How might this perspective change one's view of difficult experiences? [01:59]

3. What does it mean to be "present to the presence in the present," and how can this practice impact one's spiritual life? [06:11]

4. How does the partnership with God in character development differ from self-help strategies? What role does acknowledging our limitations play in this process? [03:50]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent trial or challenge you faced. How did it impact your character? Can you identify any growth or positive change that resulted from it? [01:59]

2. Consider your daily routine. How can you incorporate moments of mindfulness to be more present to God's presence? What specific time of day could you dedicate to this practice? [06:11]

3. Think about a virtue such as love, humility, or gratitude. How can you intentionally cultivate this virtue in your interactions with others this week? [08:01]

4. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel limited or inadequate. How can you invite God into this area to help transform your character? [03:50]

5. Practice centering prayer or strengthening prayer this week. Choose a single word to focus on, and set aside a few minutes each day to redirect your thoughts to God. How does this practice affect your sense of peace and connection with God? [11:25]

6. Reflect on the concept of living in the "loop of love." How can you extend God's love to those around you in practical ways this week? [08:48]

7. How can you shift your focus from achievements and possessions to character development in your daily life? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this shift? [00:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Character as Our Eternal Essence
Our lives are not defined by our achievements or possessions but by the character we develop. This character is what we carry into eternity, emphasizing the importance of nurturing virtues like love, humility, and gratitude. The journey of character development is a profound one, requiring us to look beyond worldly accomplishments and focus on the person we are becoming. This transformation is not something we can achieve through sheer willpower or self-help strategies alone. Instead, it requires a partnership with God, acknowledging our limitations and inviting His presence into our lives. By doing so, we allow God to shape our character, preparing us for eternity. [00:39]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)

Reflection: What virtues do you want to carry into eternity, and how can you begin nurturing them today?


Day 2: Growth Through Trials
Trials and suffering can lead to significant personal growth, a concept known as post-traumatic growth. These experiences test and refine our character, aligning with the biblical teaching that trials develop perseverance and maturity. When we face challenges, it is an opportunity to recognize our strengths and develop a deeper, more resilient character. The book of James teaches us that trials are not just obstacles but opportunities for growth. By embracing this perspective, we can find meaning in our suffering and allow it to transform us into stronger individuals. [01:59]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you faced. How did it test your character, and what strengths did you discover in yourself through that experience?


Day 3: Mindfulness in Faith
Christian mindfulness involves being present to God's presence in the present moment. This practice opens us to experience God's love and goodness, fostering virtues and allowing us to live in a "loop of love" that extends to others. By being mindful of God's presence, we cultivate a deeper connection with Him, which in turn transforms our character. This mindfulness is not just about being aware but about being open to the transformative power of God's love. It is about living in the moment with God, allowing His presence to guide and shape us. [06:11]

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice being more present to God's presence today, and what impact do you think this will have on your relationships with others?


Day 4: Partnership with God
Recognizing our limitations, we must invite God into our journey of character development. This partnership acknowledges that while we cannot achieve transformation alone, God can, and we must let Him work within us. By surrendering to God's will and allowing Him to guide us, we open ourselves to the possibility of true transformation. This partnership is not about relinquishing control but about trusting in God's plan for our lives and allowing Him to shape us into the people He wants us to be. [03:50]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to invite God to work more deeply, and how can you begin to trust Him more fully in those areas today?


Day 5: Practical Spiritual Practices
Practices like centering prayer help us remain present to God's presence. By dedicating time to focus on God and using a single word to redirect our thoughts, we cultivate a deeper connection with Him, allowing His love to transform us. These practices are simple yet profound, providing a way to anchor ourselves in God's presence amidst the distractions of daily life. By committing to these practices, we create space for God to work within us, transforming our character and deepening our relationship with Him. [11:25]

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6, ESV)

Reflection: What specific spiritual practice can you commit to this week to deepen your connection with God, and how will you incorporate it into your daily routine?

Quotes


So A very wise person said the main thing that God gets out of your life is the person you become not the resume you build not the achievements that you pile up not the possessions that you acquire is what you'll take into eternity is you and that's primarily about your character you're my heart my love and self so that's what we're learning about it's the most important stuff in the world and we're focusing on that today [00:37:30]

I mean you've probably encountered as a whole piece of research now called post-traumatic growth some people would call it which is really the study of what's the good stuff that comes out of trauma and weirdly for me when when I was studying trauma back in the day I at the same time I was reading the book of James and that whole thing anyway consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you encounter Trials of any kind trials test you know charge test you and eventually developed character that's my sort of summary of it [00:103:26]

I really think some of the people were working with with trauma actually become better people as a result of what based and so he went away and did a whole pile of research and then accidentally overnight he and I became the sort of European experts in post-traumatic growth traveling around talking about this stuff because quite a lot of work had been done in the states where you are but but not much had been communicated here in the UK and so we became some of the Advocates of that for a while [00:137:16]

There are ways that we grow in seasons of suffering that for some reason just don't really quite happen apart from that here's what I want to really explore with you today often when you read books about topics like this character personal growth even spiritual growth they will be at least in the U.S maybe not the UK in what will be called the self-help section of the bookstore and that idea that if I'm going to grow it's up to me I can do it tends to be quite prominent in our society [00:180:48]

I can't become that person I can't do what I most want to do but he can God can I think I will let him so I need to find a way to access God to partner with God to discover God to experience God and you have some very intriguing ways of talking about the role that God plays in the presence of God plays so I'd love for you to talk with folks about that [00:230:45]

The moment I try to be hopeful grateful self-controlled humble Etc I immediately run into my inability to do it you know straight away but if you're really really honest and you watch yourself closely you notice that you need something more than just your own grit and perseverance and strategy to get there [00:268:51]

Mindfulness is being present for the present moment so some people would Define mindfulness it's much more than this but some people would Define it as being in the present moment without wishing it otherwise religious thing with whatever whatever it is right now that's mindfulness for me the sort of additional element of mindfulness for the Christian is something along the lines it's being present to the presence in the present [00:346:58]

When we put to one side many of the sort of distracting thoughts and things that come our way we open ourselves not just to the present moment which in itself can be a bit of a relief thank goodness I'd have to think about all these demands on me but my experience at least is that when I do that in a christ-centered way I find that there's a presence that meets me in that moment a present of sort of unconditional love [00:388:97]

Virtue is nothing more that's hilarious nothing more than and then he goes on to say a mature and deliberate affection plainly directed at God for him alone that's the way he defines virtue that's what he defines goodness so what he's saying is that in that moment that that that sort of mature and deliberate affection plainly directed at God for him alone the moment we step into that space I encounter that idea of sort of all the virtues [00:423:06]

I think character develops in almost two directions one is that we come to God in that way we're present to his presence in the present and then in that moment we're at weirdly by doing that you're already practicing character strength you're already being curious you're already getting aware of the moment you're already practicing love you're already being humble you're actually practicing it in that moment right there [00:477:90]

I find that that's the sort of site sometimes I call it living in the loop of love it's this idea that you sort of you project your love to God and in the process somehow God loves through you not just back to him but also back to the whole world around you and from my point of view even though that doesn't sound particularly sophisticated psychologically there's an Infinity of science just involved in that in that phase and everything is held there somehow as well [00:515:76]

The practice I find most helpful is I mean some people call it centering prayer I actually sort of develop my own approach called strengthening prayer but it's the same thing which is basically the idea of I will take 20 minutes twice a day once in the morning once in the evening I'm more consistent in the morning than I am in the evening I must compare this and the main aim of that moment is that I practice simply lifting my affection to God [00:675:83]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?