Our Daily Bread: Remember the DreamEsimerkki

What Is Character?

We also glory in our sufferings, because . . . suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. -Romans 5:3-4

As a child in the seventies, I can still recall hearing recordings of the distinctive voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. giving his rhythmic “I Have a Dream” speech.

The one line that I remember most is the one where he sings out: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

I felt like he was talking about me. I was one of those African American children who held hands with white children. I called some of them my best friends.

Was I living the dream? Was I being judged by the content of my character rather than the color of my skin? I sure hope so.

But what is my character? How has it evolved since I was ten?

Paul describes character as being formed from the suffering we’ve endured and persevered through. Why? Because that suffering has been used to shape our character. That suffering can make us bitter and untrusting, or it can realign us to rely more fully on God—or something in between.

In the midst of suffering through his trials and persecution as a nonviolent advocate and fighter for justice and equality, King relied on God. And through his journey, his experiences produced a character filled with hope for a better future for his four little children and for me.

Like Paul says in Romans, I pray your suffering produces perseverance, which also produces a character that relies on God more than yourself. And I hope your character forms into one who loves peace and justice and who actively works to bring it about.

Katara Patton

How would you describe the content of your character? What role has suffering played in producing your character?

Heavenly Father, help me to use my struggles to rely more on you and develop a character that’s filled with hope.