Character v. Happiness

I had a bit of a realization yesterday, perhaps more of a reminder since I'm pretty sure I've learned this before.  Because God loves us, He is more concerned about our eternal character than our earthly happiness.  That's a little bit of a big pill to swallow.  You mean it's not all about me Lord?  You're not uber concerned about my happiness?  Why not?  Aren't you a loving God?  Don't you want me to be happy?

Yes.  Yes, He is concerned about my happiness, my eternal happiness.  This was my realization.  In the midst of trying to 'figure things out', as I'm way too often trying to do, I realized that God is more concerned about the end result.  These trials that I'm facing, the uncertainty, the awkwardness, the disappointment, all of it is about my character.  It is my character (not my happiness) that stores up riches for me in Heaven.  It is my character (not my happiness) that ultimately allows Christ's light to shine through me.  It is my character (not my happiness) that allows me to love another when I myself am feeling defeated, empty, or depressed.  It is my character (not my happiness) that brings me closer to God.  It is character (not happiness) that produces hope.

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5)

May we all continue to walk in and trust in God's undeniable love as He shapes our character.