Power Point - May 12, 2005

May 12, 2005

Now Joseph had a dream and he told his brothers and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: ‘There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.’”

--Genesis 37:5-7

Character is formed through resistance and obstacles. In fact, it was Booker T. Washington who once said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position one has reached in life as by the obstacles that one has overcome while trying to succeed.” And so it is through dealing with difficulties that we’re able to build character.

You can be sure that every leader faces obstacles. It has even been said that all roads to success and achievement are uphill. In life, we want to constantly be moving forward and that includes moving uphill. While building character through resistance and struggles can be one of the hardest things to face, it can also be one of the best things we learn about because it presents opportunities for us to gain and go forward.

I’ve always remembered the statement, “Anything that moves causes friction.” If you’re looking to lead and influence others, then you will not face these difficulties.  There are three ways to avoid problems in your life—say nothing, do nothing, be nothing. Although, the day you determine to say or do something is the day you will begin to face obstacles.

God put big dreams in the heart of Joseph. Even though Joseph was sent away by his brothers, sold into slavery, and seduced by Potiphar’s wife, he had a place of responsibility. His character was still intact, and he rejected the advances of Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-20). If you’re facing resistance and trying to build character, you need perspective, principles, persistence, and prayer.

Many times, when the wind blows against us, it blows us off course and we lose our sense of well-being in the bearings of life. Joseph kept his eyes on the Lord, and his heart full of dreams that God gave him. You may be facing great challenges in your family, career, or relationships with others, but don’t lose the key items that will help you build character. Ask God to help you stay focused on His will for your life so you can move forward, build character, and never let your dreams die out.

WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT LIFE WILL DETERMINE HOW

YOU PERCEIVE LIFE AND WHAT YOU RECEIVE FROM IT.