Finding God's Presence ~ What Does it Mean to Become a Woman of Character

by Nan Jones @NanJonesAuthor

Guest blogger, Sherry Poundstone @SherPoundstone

I am delighted to introduce my Christian Communicator sister to you, Sherry Poundstone. What a powerhouse for God! Sherry has a heart for women and has dedicated her life to helping women find freedom in Christ and restoration through His Word. I know she will bless you. Sherry and I pray that the words of her testimony will draw you closer to the One who loves you.

Welcome Sherry!

I
wasn’t concerned with character as I grew up. I
was concerned with survival.

I’m not even sure that I heard the word character
in my family at all. Most likely I heard about character in school, but I don’t
remember ever wondering if I had it.

I grew up in the conservative Midwest, and at a
time when family dysfunction of any kind was not talked about. My extended
family was one plagued by alcohol, drug, sexual and physical abuse; all
stemming from physical depression and spiritual oppression. What I now know to
be a spirit of lying, had invaded my family and permeated every nook and cranny
of our home. It was actually a dangerous place for a little girl, but as often
is the case, no one on the outside knew.

I gave my life to Jesus Christ at age 14 and
right then I made the decision to be different; to purpose to live a life
without financial struggle, emotional pain, abuse or heartbreak. Unfortunately,
I took the long way around in getting to the life I so desired. I had no idea how to accomplish this life and
what I did not understand at the time, was I did not have the character to
support a different lifestyle. My character was weak.

My early adult life was earmarked with common
mistakes made by a woman growing up in an abusive environment. I found myself
choosing the “wrong” man and then fighting to keep him. I struggled with every
area of my life: romantic relationships, financial responsibility and
interpersonal skills.

God carried me through the dark times. I am
humbled and amazed that He never left my side, even as I pushed Him away. He
built my character along the way, sometimes inch by inch and sometimes a mile
at a time. Today, I have a wonderful, Godly man and we work together in
ministry. My character is strong and I can now share this experience with
other women.

Abraham
Lincoln said “Character, is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The
shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”

Webster defines character as “a moral or ethical
quality: Our moral state”, and that is
true. But as women following Christ, is there more?

Character is much more than what others see
on the outside. It has been said that character is who we are when no one is
looking, or when there is no one around to judge us, to give us a pat on the
back, or give us recognition.

Through God’s word, we can come to know His character. His
love, mercy, and compassion; His courage and strength; His faithfulness and
justice.

As Christ followers, we want our character
to match up with who we say we are. We want to develop and display the
character of strong, Christ centered women.

Dale Carnegie said “Be more concerned with your character than
your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your
reputation is merely what others think you are.”

So what does it mean to become a woman of
character? A woman of character means living from a point of authenticity. A
woman of character is honest, full of integrity, reliable, loyal, forgiving,
kind, and compassionate.

We must seek character traits which reflect
Christ in us. God’s word makes it very clear what Christian character traits we
are to have. As Christ followers this is our guideline.

But the Holy
Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness……Galatians 5:22

A Tweetable to Encourage Others

How do I become a woman of character? Guest @SherPoundstone shares via @NanJonesAuthor (click to tweet)

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Meet Sherry:

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not
for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'”
Jeremiah 29:11

Sherry
Poundstone is the founder and director of FOCUS
International-A Ministry for Women.
Her passion is teaching biblical principles, mentoring women and organizing
leadership teams. The mission of FOCUS
is to “teach women that true freedom can
only be found in Jesus Christ.”

God
has allowed Sherry to touch the lives of many women through teaching bible
studies, conference speaking, writing, and mentoring.

She
is the author of Becoming a Woman of
Character, a 12 week Bible study and is a contributing writer to several
online and print magazines for women. Sherry is also the host of Coffee and the Word radio.

Sherry
and her husband, John, are the founders of Bethesda Reno-Tahoe Ministry. John
currently serves as leader at Restoration Church in Fernley, Nevada.

To purchase Becoming a Woman of Character, shop Amazon.

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Have you been wanting to read my book, The Perils of a Pastor’s Wife? Here’s an opportunity!