Watch What You Pray For...

After a few years of struggle over the flesh, I remember praying, "God, please make me into a man of character, a man I can respect." It was a prayer of total sincerity and one of faith. Because out of all my problems, a lack of faith has never been one! :)

It was that faith that had me a bit scared a few months later. I was reading the Word, just having a good time getting to know more about this God who loves me so far beyond my understanding, that I came across a verse in the Book of Romans, Chapter 5.

A little background: my life was a mess. I had more "problems" than anyone could guess at. I was in prison and was now a Christian. I always laugh when the media portrays "convict Christians" like it is the norm, that convicts portray themselves as Christians to run a hustle or something. :) To be a Christian in prison is NOT a good thing to be! In here, you're considered weak and person to be victimized. Well, I did not care too much about that. Mainly because I was still enough of a tough guy idiot to not put up with much. I wanted to be a man of godly character. So I prayed.

Things got worse!

Then I read in that Book of Romans that, "We rejoice in tribulation because it brings about perseverance, and perseverance character..." Oh, OH! I remember being a bit shaken. I knew my prayers were heard and I began to wonder if a man could "unpray" something. :)

That is just what I did! "God, about that whole 'man of character thing'? Never mind. Amen."

His ways are not my ways. I am not sure if one prayer was heard over the other, but I am assured that all things will work together for good. Because I love God and am called accordingly to His good purposes.

God bless, and keep you safe, warm, and forever protected in His mighty love.

Russ