“Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.”
An NFL analyst-broadcaster-ex-coach recently said this, but that thought is commonly recited as truth.
The phrase is only half right. Adversity does reveal character. But hardship also can build character.
Adversity Reveals Character
Character underlies all you are and all you do. While it is possible to put your “best face” forward, bad times often expose a person’s heart, their true character.
The greater the problem, the more your true nature is revealed. If the person is a bitter, angry person at heart, the harder the test, the more the person will be shown to be bitter and angry. If the person responds to a crisis with resilience, compassion, and hope, you also see the condition of their heart.
For the Christian, adversity reveals the strength of your faith. If a trial comes and you collapse, you discover your belief in and reliance on the Lord must be strengthened.
For the Christian, through adversity, God mercifully shows us our weaknesses, and goads us to growth.
On the other hand, if a trial demonstrates your faith in God, you encourage others, and prove to yourself your faith is genuine. Your strong response to adversity helps you navigate the next hardship.
Adversity Can Build Character
“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”
Secular studies show that adversity can build character, but that not everyone grows following a difficulty. One study found that some adversity builds character, but that high levels of adversity may not have a positive effect.
For the Christian, however, adversity builds character. Period.
How do I know?
The Bible says so!
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3–5)
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4)
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (1 Peter 1:6–7)
Adversity is Something God is Doing FOR Us
Trials are a mean to an end (see the above verses for the benefits of trials). God uses trials as a tool to make us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
I rejoice that my faith has been proven to me (and to others) through my trials. I lost my job. I had significant trouble with both eyes. How I handled those problems testified to others my faith in God’s love and power. Adversity revealed my faith. But adversity also built my faith. I am able to remember God’s faithfulness during those trials and know, absolutely know, He will be with me in the next one. I know, because of His love, power, and grace, I will come through.
