CHALLENGES AND GROWTH
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance...” Proverbs 1:5, ESV
Theme: God values character growth over comfort.
INTO THE WORLD
The entire movie “Wonder” is about the process of sending a boy, Augie, who has been sheltered from the world, out on his own. It is difficult for his parents to watch him struggle, feel judged, and face challenges without their presence. It is painful for Augie, his sister, and his peers. His mom worries that sending him to school is too big of a step. She wants to keep him at home. At first, his dad wants to let him go; he feels Augie needs to learn to be independent, to mature, grow, and have options as an adult.
After some tough experiences at school, dad wants to let Augie quit. By then, his mom wants to see him continue. No one expects Augie to have an easy time in the middle grades. Certainly, no one expects Augie to help others as he struggles to find his own place.
GROWING CHARACTER
Growth takes energy. Food, water, sunlight, and other resources are needed to help promote growth. Growing character takes resources as well. It often requires facing difficulties which we would rather avoid. When we patiently face our challenges, “...endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:4, ESV). Side-stepping challenges may cause us to miss opportunities for growth. God does not want us to miss the lessons. He does not allow our time on earth to be free and unaffected by the pain or challenges in the world around us. God sent us so that we could grow. He is teaching us holiness, so that we can become an example for others.
NOT THE BEST
Augie wasn’t the strongest, most capable, most popular, or most athletic kid at Beacher Prep. Augie was great at science, creative, funny, and resilient. He wasn’t good-looking, popular, or powerful. What he did was face an impossible situation with strength and kindness. Even when he wanted to give up, he didn’t. Watching the impact of a story like Augie’s reminds me that underdogs inspire others, not because they are the best but because they use what resources they have and accomplish amazing things. God doesn’t send us out to be the best, strongest, most powerful, and influential people in our circles. We don’t have to be the best at anything to inspire and carry up others. What you have—when you draw on God’s strength—is more than enough.
Make It Personal: What opportunities for growth are you facing? How can you allow them to produce character in your life and inspire others?
Pray: Lord, Thank You for my strengths and abilities. Today, I thank You for the ways I am weak and for the struggles in my life. You tell me to “rejoice always” and to praise You in every situation, so I will do that. Take the difficult things and use them for Your glory. Help me to be kind and comforting to someone else...because You have had lovingkindness with me and been a Comforter to me. I want to grow. Help me not waste the trials. I want to mature and learn from each one. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Deuteronomy 8:2; Psalm 105:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Weekly Memory Verse: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7, NIV