What causes a pearl to form?
An irritant.
When something comes inside the shell of an oyster or mollusk, it secrets nacre to protect itself.
Although the irritant can be a bit of shell or sand it also could be a parasite.
No matter what the irritant is, by the time a pearl is formed (which can take six months to several years) it has been transformed into a beautiful pearl.
Which is a wonderful example for us in how to handle irritants.
For the Lord makes it clear in His Word we will have trials and tribulations.
How we respond to life’s irritants, either small or great, speaks to others as to the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
An oyster doesn’t simply “live with” an irritant, instead God gave it a way to both protect itself and transform it into a thing of beauty.
He’s given us the same ability.
We have His Word to guide and instruct us on how He has called us to live, which includes avoiding those life choices which are harmful.
‘You shall have no other gods before Me. ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; ‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. ‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. ‘You shall not murder. ‘You shall not commit adultery. ‘You shall not steal. ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’
Deuteronomy 5:7-8, 11-12, 16-21 NKJV
He also grants us amazing opportunities to live for Him through difficulty.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 NKJV
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV
It’s important we recognize the opportunity when we come across irritants, for through them God is glorified.
2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV — And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for the pearl. Thank You for the amazing beautiful You bring out of an irritant. Lord, please let my heart rely completely upon You that I might see the blessings in the irritants and the opportunities in those times of difficulty. Lord, I know that I will not always understand how to respond to trials, tribulations, or persecution, but I do humbly request that You bring Your Word to mind in those, that I might understand how to respond. Lord, please remind me to coat every irritant in prayer, that I might be led by Your Word and Your truth. Lord, thank You for Your ways. Thank You for Your beautiful creation which continually testifies to You, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 