Circumstances Simply Reveal Who You Are

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.  
1 Corinthians 15:58

Circumstances do not change who you are, they simply reveal who you are!  Adverse circumstances especially, reveal what has been in the heart the whole time.  Even good circumstances reveal what an individual has harbored in the heart the whole time.  A person that wins the lottery or acquires a huge sum of money may not be willing to share it.  Selfishness was present all the time but the change in circumstances simply amplified it.  That is the reason it is important to feed on God’s Word to allow the fruit of God’s Spirit to flow at all times.  The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).  It is also important to feed on God’s Word so that when the pressure is on, the Word naturally comes out of us and is the first thing to come out.  The Psalmist wrote, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart” (Psalm 119:11).  Your current negative circumstance is not what is causing you to be bitter, angry, or jealous but that is what was already inside.  That does not mean that we will not feel negative emotions as a result of adverse circumstances, but we do not have to yield to them.  The good news is that you can feed on God’s Word today, allow the Holy Spirit Himself to remove negative emotions and behaviors that have surfaced as a result of negative circumstances, and remain steadfast exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in the midst of them!