Sometimes when we become aware of a flaw in our character, we'll try to make ourselves feel better and justify it by blaming our circumstances. We might say things like 'If I'd had a different tutor, I would have worked harder,' or 'If I had more money, I could afford the thing I want, and then I wouldn't feel so jealous or resentful of other people.' But even though our circumstances might be out of our control, our character isn’t. Integrity isn't determined by our situation. It's a choice, and every time we make the decision to act with integrity, we take a step forward in our spiritual growth. Here's something to try: Think about times when you've faced temptations and difficulties. Write them down, and next to each one, write how you dealt with it: escaped, excused, gave in, avoided, persevered, or overcame. How did you handle the things that were caused by circumstances out of your control? Do you notice any problem areas or anything you could improve on? One way we can improve is ‘By adding…self-control’ to our spiritual weapons. Our lives are like icebergs – 15 per cent is visible; that’s our reputation, what others see of our attitude. The rest, our character, is hidden below the surface. Character is what we think but don’t necessarily share. It’s based on what we do when nobody’s looking, how we handle life’s little aggravations, how we handle failure and success. Character is based on self-control, and self-control is about making the right choices. We don’t have to work out what they are by ourselves: ‘God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him’ (Philippians 2:13 CEV).

What Now?

What temptations or challenges are you facing today? Think about the options you have in dealing with them (escaping, making excuses, giving in, avoidance, perseverance, and overcoming), and ask God to help you choose the right one.