Character Building

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Character Building Part 01 - Growing as a Trustworthy Woman

by Gail Rodgers
In this hurried life we live we put so much emphasis on what we do. The demanding tasks and expected accomplishments become our focus. In the rush of it all we sometimes fail to notice the seeds of change within ourselves. It is wise to stop and ask, “Am I growing or eroding in who I am becoming?”

A wise woman grows in becoming trustworthy…
Being a trustworthy person is being someone worthy of confidence; someone who can be relied on. The very first indicator that this character trait is visible is in the area of our speech. Are we worthy of other’s confidences? Are we known for our encouraging words? Do we let our own burdens and concerns become an excuse to leave our tongue untamed?
A trustworthy woman pays attention to how she speaks. She chooses her words well, knowing she can speak words of life or death!

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

To grow in trustworthiness, start with your speech! Pray this verse today and watch God grow this character trait in you!
prayer & reflection

Father in Heaven,
Sometimes the people around me don’t feel safe about what might come out of my mouth. I desire to grow in being a trustworthy woman and I want to start right here with the words I say. Please nudge me by Your Holy Spirit when reckless words and gossip are on the tip of my tongue. Help me to be aware of how my words can heal or hurt those around me. Work in my heart and grow me in this area. I offer the words of my mouth to You today. Thank you that You are trustworthy to help me. May I grow in being one who can be relied on and worthy of confidence.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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Character Building Part 02 - Growing as a Diligent Woman

by Gail Rodgers
Life can be hectic! We get so busy running on the treadmill of life. In the process we continue to change as life changes around us. It is wise to stop and ask, “Am I growing or eroding in who I am becoming?”

A wise woman grows in becoming diligent…
A diligent woman looks at the tasks at hand and does what needs to be done. She does her best. She does not shrink back from her work nor procrastinate to the point of defeat.
She is wise in understanding that sometimes it is better to say “no” to a new task than to hinder her effectiveness in her other responsibilities.
The diligent woman knows life comes in seasons and each season will bring new opportunities. Each season has both pleasure and challenge all its own. She does what is in front of her with her whole heart even in seasons that are not to her liking.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men… “ Colossians 3:23

Ask God to help you know how to balance your load and when to say “no”. Ask Him to help you in each task and through each season. Do the best you can as you do it for Him.
prayer & reflection

Father God,
I confess that I sometimes feel overwhelmed in this season of my life. I know I often try to do more than I should. Help me to know when to say “no”. Help me to tackle what is in front of me today with diligence. I need the help of Your Holy Spirit. Forgive me for the times I feel resentful of all that is required of me. I lay my “to do” list in front of You today and ask for Your help and strength to do the best I can. Empower me with Your strength and wisdom and give me joy for the day!
In Jesus’ powerful name I pray, amen.

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Character Building Part 03 - How to be Vigilant

by Gail Rodgers
In the noise and commotion of life it’s easy to miss the still small voice within us. It is easy for our awareness of God to diminish in our busy schedules. It’s easy to lose our observant eye and ear as we rush from one thing to the next! It is wise to stop and ask, “Am I growing or eroding in who I am becoming?”

A wise woman grows in becoming vigilant…
A vigilant woman is watchful and alert. She is observant… with an eye to the future and is on guard for danger or pitfalls.
A vigilant woman pays attention to the little things in her life and in her relationships. She is careful with her money knowing that the little things can add up to be big things. She is alert to the subtle slip in important relationships. She takes the time to mend the small tears in the relationships around her, knowing this will make them stronger in the future.
A vigilant woman is wise in tending her marriage. Wherever she can she seeks to sow seeds of approval, appreciation, affection and attention in this most important of human relationships.

“Be very careful, then, how you walk… not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

As you walk through this day ask God to help you be observant to His still small voice nudging you. When you are attentive in your relationship with God He will help you grow to become more aware and vigilant in your life and relationships.
prayer & reflection

Father God,
I want to be a wise woman. I know I am not always as careful as I should be in how I walk and how I tend my relationships. Help me to be on guard against the slow erosion that can happen in relationships when I become too busy. Help me to see how my hurried life distracts from some of the most important tasks I have in building for the future. Remind me to make the most of the opportunities I have each day to build into the relationships with those I love. The days are evil, Lord… there is much to pull us away from each other and from You. Help me to be wise. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me to be watchful and alert as I guard my heart and my home.
In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

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Character Building Part 04 - Growing in Compassion

by Gail Rodgers
It’s so easy to get caught up in our own little worlds. We begin to get so self focused that we often miss the needs of those around us. It is wise to stop and ask, “Am I growing or eroding in who I am becoming?”

A wise woman grows in becoming compassionate…
It takes time to be a compassionate woman. Time to listen; time to care; time to walk a mile with someone who needs a hand.
A compassionate woman extends her arms to embrace those less fortunate than herself. She looks for opportunities to be generous. Her time and her resources are shared from a caring heart.
A compassionate woman pays attention to the needs of those around her and especially to the needs of her family. She listens… really listens to what others say. She hears with her heart as well as her ears. Her eyes are open to recognize the blessing she receives as she responds with a caring heart.


“A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9

To grow in compassion ask God to give you a generous heart… one that shares not only time and resources but also love.
prayer & reflection

Father God,
I know my heart is often callous to the needs of those around me. I feel there just isn’t time to care. I know You have placed me where I am to love those around me. Give me a desire to have a generous heart. Open my eyes and my ears to the needs of those in my circle of influence. Please multiply my time back to me as I choose to care.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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Character Building Part 05 - Understanding Who You Are!

by Gail Rodgers
It’s important to accept what God says about who we are. All too often we live with feelings of deep inadequacy. We may regret the past or fear the future. In life’s crazy schedule it’s easy to forget to schedule in time with our Lord and to ask ourselves, “Am I growing or eroding in who I am becoming?”

A wise woman grows in understanding who she is…
A woman who knows how God sees her is confident in her identity. She knows God made her just the way she is and for specific tasks. She does not compare the inside of herself with the outside of another woman.
She makes the effort to grow in her knowledge of the truth of what God says about her. A woman who understands who she is in God’s sight knows she is:

• Accepted (Ephesians 1:5)
• Secure (Philippians 1:6)
• Significant (John 15:16)

Her identity is not bound up in what she has, how she looks or what she wears. Her identity is secured in who she is as a beloved child of God.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Read Psalm 139 and ask God to fill your heart with the knowledge of just how treasured you are to Him. Ask Him to help you grow in your understanding of who you really are!
prayer & reflection

Father God,
Sometimes it’s hard for me to think of myself as a piece of Your artwork… created to be just who I am. Help me to embrace the knowledge of who You say I am! I know all too well the weaknesses in me. I invite You to use these very things that I dislike in me to be the entry point of Your strength and power in my Iife. I know You have things for me to do that go beyond this “to do” list of mine. Help me to be ready to give a kind word or a hug to someone today. Show me who You want to touch through me. Help me to live as an accepted, secure and significant child of the Almighty God today by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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Character Building Part 06 - Remembering to Respect

by Gail Rodgers
As we look around the globe we see a decline in respect. Children don’t esteem their parents as they once did. Adults often don’t respect laws. Spouses often cease to value and respect their mate. It is important to continue to grow in how we regard others. It is wise to stop and ask, “Am I growing or eroding in who I am becoming?”

A wise woman grows in being respectful…
A woman who is respectful listens attentively. She esteems others whether they are stronger or weaker than her. She refrains from violating people or things in any way. She handles her affairs with honesty and seeks to be gentle in her dealings with people. She is polite and thoughtful and displays integrity and humility.
A respectful woman values life and does all she can to hold it in high regard. She knows her heart is the wellspring of her life and that she needs Jesus’ help to be respectful. She tends the soil of her heart, carefully choosing what seeds will grow there.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Prov. 4:23

To grow in becoming a respectful woman, ask God to help you tend your heart wisely. Be aware of the seeds you allow to take root. Ask God for wisdom in how to refrain from infringing on the rights and freedoms of others.
prayer & reflection

Father God,
I want to be a respected woman and I need Your help to be more respectful to others. Help me to guard my heart from the seeds of self- pride and superiority. Help me to be aware of times when I infringe on others rights and freedoms and try to control people and situations. Teach me to grow in the simple everyday ways of thoughtfulness and integrity. Help me to hold life in high regard all around me. Father, I need to tend the seeds of my heart in order to treat others the way You would have me. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may honor You in all my dealings with others.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Character Building Part 07 - Becoming a Woman of Wisdom

by Gail Rodgers
Godly wisdom is beyond the knowledge of the world. God’s wisdom helps us know what is true and right. His wisdom keeps us growing in our character.

A wise woman grows in wisdom…
She knows that true wisdom comes from God. She will ask for it and watch for God to supply it.
Many situations require wisdom not found in textbooks. God has promised He will supply the wisdom we need as we ask Him and believe He will supply it.
A woman of wisdom has strength and dignity. She speaks carefully and with good judgment. She learns how to grow in trusting Jesus and applies the Bible to her everyday situations. She is careful about not speaking idle words or gossip. Her speech is full of truth and spoken with grace.

“If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt… ” James 1: 5 & 6

To grow in wisdom ask God for His supply. Be specific in your requests in areas you need to be wise. Ask in faith, believing God will give you the wisdom you need.
prayer & reflection

Father God,
There are so many times and places that I need Your wisdom. My own has proved inadequate over and over. Help me to remember to ask You for the wisdom I need. Thank you that You promise to be generous in giving it. Father, increase my faith to believe You will help me to be wise. As I journey through life help me not to lean on my own understanding. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit as I acknowledge You and look for You to direct my path with wisdom.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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Character Building Part 08 - Walking with Jesus

by Gail Rodgers
This journey of life was meant to be traveled with Jesus. He wants to direct our footsteps. He desires to share our journey and travel through each season with us. As life crowds in, and the worries of the world bombard us, we often forget that Jesus is right there beside us. Walking with Jesus will cause us to grow in our character.

A wise woman grows in her walk with God…
This woman has a loving adoration for her God. She desires God’s truth to be revealed in her life. She searches to understand God’s ways and to walk in them. She faces reality and looks truth square in the face, knowing Jesus walks with her. She lives her life with an attitude that says “Yes, Lord”.
A woman who desires to grow in her walk with God will make time to schedule appointment times to spend with Him. She looks to His Word and listens for His still, small voice to speak to her. She enjoys time talking and listening to God in prayer. Her life will become her worship as she responds to the greatness of God!

“Humility and the fear of the LORD brings wealth, honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4

To grow in the fear (awe) of the Lord ask Him to increase your love for Him and your desire for His Word. The deep desires of your soul will be met as you grow in walking with the Savior.
prayer & reflection

Father God,
I do desire to know You better. Yet my schedule is so full I hardly have time to read Your Word. I pray on the run. Thank you that You still hear and answer. I know that the deep refreshment I long for is available in Your presence. Increase my desire to spend some quiet time before You. Grow in me the desire to be truthful in my inner being about the ways I need Your help and wisdom. Help me to grow in my attitude of allowing You to shape my character and my life. Show me Your awesomeness once again. Renew my love for You. I want to draw near.
In Jesus’ powerful name I pray, amen.