They say the dash between date of birth and death is what matters.

It’s indicative of the life you’ve lived on earth.

The good times.

The bad times

And every thing in between.

And it’s to be celebrated.

Unfortunately, that dash for the living is oftentimes meant with resistance, feelings of hopelessness, and wonderment.

“How will I make it through this?”

“What have I gotten myself in to?”

“Why did this happen to me?”

If we are people of faith, we pray. We meditate. We pull out the Bible and read through scripture—anything that will bring us comfort.

Though these things bring us comfort, our thoughts may still be lingering on a less-than-ideal situation.

Then, as soon as we resign ourselves to the fact that we can’t control the outcome, something happens.

We discovered we’ve moved on.

Wait! “How did that happen? And when did it happen? I was not a happy camper a few weeks ago!”

Our character changes.

Shaping anything—including character— requires pressure and heat…often in the form of anger, bitterness, regret, fleeting moments of faith and hope, resentment. 

When finished, the heat is off. The mixed emotions subside. You are able to move on.

The situation may or may not have changed.

But you did.

You are no longer consumed by the outcome.

Character change brings about hope.

And where there’s hope.. there’s a way.