Pressured into something beautiful... Day 25 of 40

Day 25 of 40

“God has a purpose behind every problem.

He uses circumstances to develop our character. In fact, he depends more on circumstances to make us like Jesus than he depends on our reading the Bible.

The reason is obvious: You face circumstances 24-HOURS a DAY!”
(direct excerpt from The Purpose Driven Life – Day 25 – Transformed by Trouble)

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Here’s a point to ponder as you drift off to sleep tonight…

What are a few of the most valuable things in the world?

And yes, we’re talking materialistic.

Things of the highest value… things that will last and get passed down to generations.

Your latest apple technology won’t last long enough to pass on to your grandchildren (and, I’m sorry, neither will Blackberry).

What about diamonds? Silver? Gold?

All beautiful. All very long-lasting substances.

How are they made?

Are they instantaneous?

Not a chance!!

Diamonds alone take years before they surface to the earth’s atmosphere!

In fact, there are kinds of diamonds that will dissolve entirely if they are released into the atmosphere too soon.

They take literally YEARS – whether naturally fashioned, or man-made – before they become the glittering frame of gorgeous displayed in a ring or necklace.

The diamond goes through a lot of heat, pressure, chiselling, and polishing before it is fit to be used in any beautiful way.

It’s the same with our lives.

Nothing worth having comes easy.

We live in a society of greed, selfishness, and a media that tells us everyday that it’s all about having what you want right NOW!

The fast-food generation.

Let me ask you… if we base so much on NOW, how will we ever get to the finish line looking like a finely fashioned diamond?

It’s the trials that fashion our lives.

The mundane daily grind that we live in called: LIFE.

Whether you work full-time in the white-collar district or part-time at McDonald’s, I’m sure you know what I mean.

It’s tough out there!

But it’s these trials that shape us.

God never said we’d have it easy, being Christians (and I’m sorry if anyone ever told you that being a Christian makes life easier… it doesn’t. But Jesus is SO worth it!) He only said we’d never go through anything He hasn’t already paved the way thru for us!

He actually PROMISED we’d have trouble!

John 16:33

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Take heart.

No matter what troubles or sorrows you’re going thru right now, its worth it.

HE is worth it!

Just as it takes years for a diamond to be shaped and fashioned and chiselled into a beautiful thing…

So it is with your life.

Trust that He knows what He’s doing.

And know that no matter what you’re going thru… He has already been there, He knows what’s going to happen, and He has overcome.

He will build your character thru trials, if you let Him.

And you will come out of this high-pressured, heat-filled environment as the beautiful diamond that He has  always destined you to be.

“But he knows where I am going.

      And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”

                        Job 23:10