Turning Pebbles Into Pearls

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you inChrist Jesus" - (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV).

Into the shell of an oyster a tiny grain of sand finds its way. "The intruder though microscopic, is a source of irritation and pain tothe soft body of the oyster. Unable to rid itself of the unwelcomepebble, the oyster seeks to reduce the irritation by coating it withlayers of soft, iridescent mother-of-pearl material from its ownshell. Over time, the oyster transforms a painful irritation into abeautiful pearl of great value."

Most of us have "grains of sand" or annoying "pebbles" that come intoour life on a regular basis ... many of which can be very frustratingand even painful.

But every one of these annoyances gives us a chance to grow. Somewill require great patience, others tough love. Some will require ourturning the other cheek, some confrontation, and some kindness andunderstanding. For example, addicts need to be treated with toughlove. Bullies require us to maintain healthy boundaries. Cheatersneed to be confronted. Manipulators need to be managed. Controlfreaks need to be resisted, guilt throwers need to be challenged, andtoxic people may need to be avoided, and so on.

With God's help, if we so choose, we can turn every one of theseannoying pebbles into pearls or we can allow them to make us bitter.For it's not what happens to us that matters, but how we react towhat happens. What we do about it is what matters—and that's a choicewe make either consciously or unconsciously. And remember, "The bumpsare what we climb on."

Prayer: "Our Heavenly Father, please help me to see an opportunityfor growth in every annoying situation. Give me the courage to bestrong when needed, have healthy boundaries where required, exercisetough love where it is essential, and show kindness, patience andunderstanding where these are needed. Help me to always ask, 'Whatwould Jesus do?' And please give me the courage to do just that.Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesusloving Name I Pray, Amen."