Character is far more important than intellect in making a man a good citizen or successful at his calling — meaning by character not only such qualities as honesty and truthfulness, but courage, perseverance and self-reliance. — Theodore Roosevelt
Many are a person who wants God’s blessing for enviable life achievement but whose lifestyle is not to God’s standard; they are always disappointed.
Undoubtedly, the major factor in achieving enduring life success is the quality of the individual’s mind.
However, the quality of the human mind cannot be inherited but only be cultivated. Every individual has to make a purposeful effort to attain a good quality of mind and life.
The Place of Character
Character is much more than reputation.
Reputation is only what others see and think about you; but your character is the real you! It is who you really are, even when no one is watching.
Moreover, character is built by the experiences we have as we go through life.
That’s to say, whatever your age or experience, building character is a process of lifelong learning that involves a constant dedication to self-awareness and growth.
Diligence can take you to a great height but character keeps you on great. — O’David Odukoya.
The surest resource or handbook for building admirable and profitable character is the Bible. Among several others, some helpful biblical principlesare given below for attaining a great life (by working with God); they’ve been tested and proven.
1. Befriend the Bible
“Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.” Joshua 1:8
Through the scriptures we learn to follow righteousnessand mercy. For every life is on a path; and here the path is righteousnessandmercy. This is the path of wisdom which is God’s path for those who will listen and surrender to Him.
2. Trust in God’s Faithfulness
“Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you’ll harvest.” Galatians 6:7
Moreover, God is not slow in fulfilling His words but at an appointed and right time.
3. Discover Your Life Purpose and Plan on it.
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5
“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16
4. Have Interest in Others’ Good (and follow righteousness and mercy.)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
“Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.” Proverbs 21:13
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and He will repay you!” Proverbs 19:17
5. Be Proactive
“If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!” Proverbs 20:13
“Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.” Proverbs 18:15
6. See Work as an Expression of Love
“Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us).” 1 Corinthians 16:14
7. Be filled and Speak the Word of Grace
“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.” Ephesians 4:29
Some of you say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to some city. We will stay there a year, do business, and make money.” But you do not know what will happen tomorrow! Your life islike a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away. So you should say, “If the Lord wants, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15
Unending is the training process; we therefore have to be renewed continually in our heart, aiming at being daily more Christ-like.
