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“There is no clearer measure of our character than the health of our relationships.”

A thought by Andy Stanley, (2009-01-21) from his book, Louder Than Words: The Power of Uncompromised Living (Kindle Locations 446-447). The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Now to Andy, “Character is the will to do what is right, as defined by God, regardless of personal cost.”   In reality having character is other’s-oriented.  “As we subscribe to God’s absolute standard of right and wrong, we are directed to focus on the needs of others instead of ourselves.”

Here are some examples that Andy gives.  “It’s that one-in-a-million friend who never says anything negative about you in your absence. It’s the guy who quickly owns up to his mistakes instead of blaming others. It’s the woman who is quick to give credit to the person who originated an idea rather than taking credit herself. It’s the husband who has only positive things to say about his wife in public. It’s the wife who allows her husband to lead when everyone knows she is more gifted in that area than her spouse.”  I would like to be around that type of person. 

“Likewise, the absence of character sets off a chain reaction of its own. When people you know have a reputation for compromising their integrity to avoid personal loss, they not only forfeit your respect, but they destroy your confidence in them as well. There is always an inner hesitancy associated with the relationship. A sense of unpredictability looms about these people. You know that if they are willing to lie to a stranger, a customer, a client, another business associate, then they are willing to lie to you as well. If they will cheat in one arena of life, there is a good possibility that everything and everybody is up for grabs. So you approach the relationship with caution. You put up walls. Every encounter is guarded. You never know when you might be their next victim.”

I want to be a person of character. Now in some areas it will cost me.  But I see it as the only sensible way to live. 

So is being a person of character important to you? 

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