Strong Girls: Develop Unstoppable Character, Confidence, CourageSample

Character - who you truly are

The simplest and most powerful definition of character is this: Character is who you truly are. Character forms the foundation of your life.

The foundation is the starting point for every house that has ever been built. The more level and solid and deep that foundation, the more secure and tall and beautiful the house can be. The building won’t last very long if the foundation cracks or if it is built on sand.

Integrity and virtue make up two key parts of character. Integrity means consistently living up to good moral principles. It means that you say what you mean, and you do what you say. There is a consistency between your beliefs, values, attitudes, words, and actions. When you have integrity, you are truthful and trustworthy; you can be counted on to do the right thing regardless of the situation or the consequences.

Virtues are the good moral practices that a person of integrity strives to live by. They are behaviors and actions of moral excellence. Virtues are principles in action like honesty, courage, humility, kindness, modesty, self-control, and generosity.

Your character is formed by what you believe, what you say, and what you do.

When you have character, how you act doesn’t change based on who you’re with or the situation you’re facing. Character means doing what you say you will do and keeping your commitments.

The most common ways you might compromise your character are by hiding, lying, keeping secrets, making excuses, and taking shortcuts. Growing virtues like honesty, taking responsibility, and grit help grow your character and stop compromise.

When you have solid character – integrity and virtue – you become unshakable and secure.

Character is doing what is good and right:

• even when no one is looking
• even when you’re under pressure from others
• no matter what other people will say
• no matter how it turns out

It always feels good to do the good and right thing. Holding to a high moral standard may not make you popular, but it pleases God. When you consistently do the good and right thing, you learn you can trust God and yourself no matter what situation you find yourself in.

Ultimately, your quest for character is about being transformed into the likeness of Christ – becoming more and more like Jesus. It’s a process. It takes time. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.

*This plan contains devotional content from Strong Girls: Developing Girls With Unstoppable Character, Confidence, and Courage by Jimmy Page and Grace Page.