2 Powerful Ways How God Shapes Our Character for His Glory

2 Powerful Ways How God Shapes Our Character for His Glory – The Potter’s Hand

Have you ever done pottery before? I honestly haven’t (but always wanted to try a class out). But I have seen them do it.  

They throw on a big lump of clay onto the machine, then they slowly, but delicately spin the machine around as they use their hands to shape and mold the clay. Gradually, they pick up the pace as they have gotten a better idea of what they are making.  

There is a certain technique to pottery. It all comes down to the right speed, and how you use your hands to shape the clay.  

The art of pottery is such a beautiful depiction of how God gently, carefully and uniquely shapes us into the person He wants us to be.  

What Has Pottery Got to Do with Us? 

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand” – Isaiah 64:8. 

In Isaiah 64:8, God tells us that He is the Potter and we are the clay. God molds us and shapes us into who He wants us to be for His purpose and His glory. 

From the moment of creation, God uniquely creates each and every one of us. He takes the time to delicately make us special and like no one else.  

And God does not make mistakes either. He loves us and cares for us so much. 

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” – Jeremiah 1:5. 

 But it doesn’t end there.  

Why Does God Continue to Mould Us and Shape Us?  

When we get saved, God continues to mold us and shape us into something more. As we walk on the straight and narrow in our Christian journey, the Potter’s wheel keeps spinning, and God’s hands keep pinching and coiling (fancy pottery terms for shaping the clay) at the clay (us).  

It isn’t that He is unhappy with His original design of us, but rather, wants us to grow and mature in the faith to help us reach our highest potential. 

And like I said before, God has already created a perfect plan and purpose for every one of us in our lives. By continuing to shape and mold us, He is perfecting us into becoming that exact person who can live out and fulfill God’s divine purpose.  

Why Does God Want to Shape our Character?  

 Unfortunately, while we are living in this world, we are in a constant daily battle between the Spirit and the flesh. 

The flesh doesn’t want anything to do with God; it thrives off sin. And we know that the effect of sin is destructive.  

We cannot do what God has designed us to do, until we put on the new man each day, deny the desires of the flesh and actively walk in the Spirit. 

This will happen when we read our Bibles daily, stay in prayer, and keep Jesus first in our lives. 

You will begin to grow and mature in the faith as you learn more about God in His Word, and through prayer and going to a good, Bible-believing Church. 

By walking in the Spirit, and learning more about God, you will come to understand what God’s Will is for you in your life. This is where you will be able to build upon your relationship with the Lord. 

From there, He will be able to shape your character for His Will and glory. 

God wants to shape us for His glory so that we can experience the resurrecting power of Jesus Christ in our lives. We can experience the promises that God has made in His Word, and to live out the truth of the scriptures in our daily lives. 

This life is not about us; God created us for His glory. Once you come to that realization, you will start to experience life like nothing before. 

What are some ways that God shapes our character? 

 God never promises us an easy life. However, God did promise us that He would never leave us nor forsake us. 

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” – Deuteronomy 31:6 

1. God Shapes Our Character Through Trials and Tribulations 

You will go through many trials and tribulations, as a Christian, in this world. But remember, the world hates you, because it first hated Jesus Christ.  

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” – John 15:18 

One of the main ways that God shapes our character is through these trials and hardships. It is through the valley that we learn many skills and grow closer to God.  

When we are on the mountain top, and everything is going well in our lives, we can, unfortunately, and even unintentionally, put our relationship with God on the backburner. 

It isn’t until we must walk through the valley, and go through those trials and tribulations, that we really depend on God, and learn to strengthen our faith and trust in Him. 

But don’t forget, we still need God on the mountain top, just like we do in the valley. Always keep God first in your life.  

2. We are Shaped by Tests God Sents Us 

“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts” – Proverbs 17: 3. 

God will take us through many tests in our lives as well, to shape us and help us grow and mature. I don’t know about you, but I can think of many painful tests that I recently had to go through, to learn a lesson that God has been showing me. 

Like silver and gold are tested in the fire, we too, shall be tested.  

When silver and gold go into the fire, all impurities are removed. God will send us through a test to remove those sins that keep us from growing.  

Side note: it can take several goes at refining silver in a furnace to remove all impurities. Don’t be surprised if God sends you the same test to encourage you to remove a particular sin from your life, or to grow in that area. 

These tests will also reveal our true nature and character. It will help us to understand better where we are in life and how we can do better for Jesus, and His glory.  

For example, if there is a particular sin that you are struggling with, such as anxiety, God may put you through several different tests. These tests will help you understand that you needn’t be afraid, or worried about anything.  

Let’s Build Our Character for God’s Glory 

Through our trials and tests, God will always be there for you. We know for sure that God is dependable, all-loving, gracious and merciful to us.  

Let’s go out into the world, be that shining light for Jesus, put on the new man, and walk in the Spirit each day. Put on the full armor of God as you battle against the flesh, and keep your eyes focused on things above, and not of this world (especially when you are on the mountain).  

I pray that when you go through the valley, that you will completely put your faith and trust in Christ alone to get you through. 

God Bless.