Livin’ the Real Way

My favorite definition of character is “the ability to handle the demands of reality.” The stronger your character the better you can handle whatever life throws your way-without compromising the core beliefs God has given you. Living a Godly life means living a life in reality. For years I created my own reality. Addictions and co-dependencies are often started when we are trying to escape living life on life’s terms. Most addicts and co-dependents didn’t start using/enabling with the intent to compromise their character. Character compromise is a part of the addiction process. Before we know it we are lying and cheating in order to get by. Eventually our character is nowhere to be found and we have created our own little world in which we live in. This is also how many secular-religious people live…they create their own version of God.

I don’t know if it is just me but it seems as though we (those of us living in this world) are going through one of the biggest character tests in our lifetime. Reality seems to be pretty difficult these days. Never before have I seen so many people, places and things in trouble, losing jobs, dying and/or suffering from severe illness. We are also living in a time where less and less people are professing Jesus as Lord and Savior. Whenever I hear about people facing major challenges in their life, I find myself wondering about their relationship with Jesus and salvation. I often think “will they live eternally in heaven or in hell?”

The best way to be of help to God during times like this is to first keep our own character strong by consistently seeking God’s guidance in all we do and using the Bible as our compass. But, secondly, as the hands and feet of Jesus, we need to provide character for others until they can find it themselves. Some people become so broken and out of touch with reality they do not know what “real” is. As Christians it is our responsibility to be “real” and to provide “real” guidance about the “real way” to live. Eventually we can lead those we are helping to the ultimate “Real Way.” Jesus talks about the ultimate “Real Way” in John 14:5 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Trying times are great opportunities to strengthen our own character as well as help others strengthen theirs’. What is your character looking like these days? Are you staying strong and focused on Jesus or are you compromising your beliefs and creating your own reality? I’ve tried both ways and the “Real Way” is the best way, and it becomes even better when you are blessed with the opportunity to show others the “Real Way.”

P.E.A.C.E.

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