A Diamond in the Rough

Some days I just want to throw my hands up and give up.   I know that there is a purpose behind the pain I have had to endure in my light. But how much disappointment can I take?  And just when I think that I can't stand anymore I open the word.  First I read the story of Joseph.  You know Joseph...sold into slavery by his family.  Subjected by Potiphar's wife and thrown into jail for doing the right things.  Pressure upon pressure upon pressure.  I can only imagine how many times he wanted to throw his hands up and say "Forget it, I give up!"  As I sat there and read the story looking for some ray of hope I happened to glance down at my wedding ring.  The diamond seemed to be shining extremely bright at this very moment.  Almost instantly, I thought about how at one point the diamond that was set so beautifully in my wedding ring was once a piece of coal. 

Let's explore how diamonds are created.  I did a little research and discovered that diamonds are formed at high-pressure high-temperature conditions existing at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers in the Earth's mantle.  And this isn't just light pressure.  The pressure endured to produce a diamond is at least 435,113 pounds per square inch at a temperature of at least 752 degrees Fahrenheit (400 Celsius). There is no other way for this precious jewel to be formed except to undergo pressure.  In fact if the pressure or the temperature falls below these two points, only graphite will be produced.  So pressure is necessary.  And in the same way that pressure must be applied in order for the diamond to be formed.  In fact the word "Diamond" comes from the Greek word "Adamas", which means indestructible. 

What does this mean for me?  It means that I can rejoice in my trials and tribulations.  Why?  Because God is controlling  heat and the pressure.  He know better than me what flaws I have and what I need in order to live a life that is dedicated to serving Him.  Even though I may think that I have endured enough, God sees things differently.  He has the ability to see further down the road.  And for this I am grateful.  Like Joseph I may not understand why I have to go through the things that I am going through right.  Why every time I seem to have a little bit of breathing room something comes along to try and break me down.  One verse has helped me stand during times of extreme pressure.  This verse gives clear instructions on what I should do when faced with varying tests and trials.  This verse clearly states, 'Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12  As a Christian I have every reason to rejoice.  I can rejoice in the hope I have in future glory. And even more importantly I can never stop praying.  It's about having a spirit of prayer.  David prayed seven times a day and Daniel was known to pray three times a day.  Sometimes I barely make time to pray once.  This has to change.  I must be consistent in my prayer life.  It is in my devotion time that God is able to speak to me and provide me with a peace that surpasses all my understanding.  It is in this time that I am reminded that I am simply a diamond in the rough.  What you see before you is not the finished product.  Yes, I have flaws but God is at work and when He has tried me, I will come forth as pure gold. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I come before You as humbly as I know how asking for forgiveness. Right now I don't understand what is going on in my life right now.  I seem to be on a roller coaster of emotions, filled with ups and downs.  I haven't done the best job of STANDING in the midst of pressure.  I know that You won't put more on me than I can bear.  So today I am asking for strength.  Help me not to be a complainer but instead a rejoicer.  Lord I put all my trust in You.  I know that You will never let me down. Thank you Father.  I will forever give you all the glory, honor and the praise.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b

I had an epiphany today.  There are blessings that can only be discovered through tribulation.  This is a fact.  It is within our tribulation, our tests and our trials, that we reach the end of ourselves and learn to rely completely on God.  There is no way around it.  Suffering is God's permissive will.  Our greatest joy is in knowing that while in the midst of our suffering God will never leave us nor forsake us.  That is why should always give Him praise.  He is our source for everything.  We must stay tuned into Him for guidance and direction, peace and strength.  All these things He will give to you if you would only ask.  "Ask the Savior to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you; He is willing to aide you.  He will carry you through".  Stop always asking God to remove you from the situation.  The mature Christian's prayer should not be for Him to remove you from the storm but instead to sustain you and show you what you need to take from the situation that you can use in the future.  These lessons are not only for your future use but that you can be a blessing to others also.  The Bible tells us that 'Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4) 

It is not only in the after life that you can live victoriously.  You can live victoriously now.  Stress-free.  It is possible!  How?  Pray about everything.  Give everything over to God.  Allow Him to make the difference in what you lack in your own ability to change the situation.  Remember, God's strength is made perfect in your weakness.  You were not meant to handle it all.  One of the greatest lessons I learned was when a mother in the church asked me, "Who said you have to strong all the time?"  The Bible tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thy own understanding".  God's shoulders are big enough.  It is not about me getting upset with my spouse or my friends.  They were not meant to carry my load for me.  God is!  That is why He sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins.  He could handle it.  He could handle the nails, when He was pierced in the side.  He could handle the sins of the entire world.  Now if He could handle all that, don't you think He can handle your marriage problems, your financial situation, that bad report from the doctor.  All that stress you  have been carrying that you just were not meant to carry.  It's like having the key to unlock the door to get into the house but standing outside in the rain anyway.  If you really think about it, most things in life are beyond our control.  And I don't know about you but most of my stress comes from trying to control another person (make them do what I want them to do).  It's just not possible.  The best thing you can do in that situation is to tell God about it.  God has the power to bring about real change. 

This was my epiphany today.  But I want to encourage you.  You were not meant to live a life full of worry and stress.  Yes, some of your circumstances may be because of bad decisions you made.  Thanks be to God that you don't even have to worry about that. God has given us grace to make up for those bad decisions.  I don't know what you may be facing in your life right now but one thing I do know is that you should give it to God.  Let Him handle it.  It is a decision you won't regret. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I admit that I have been worrying and stressing about things beyond my control.  But no more.  I trust you Lord with my life.  I surrender all to You.  I don't want to carry the load anymore.  Right now I am in the midst of a storm.  I know that you have already given me what I need to make it through.  Help me to learn whatever lesson You want me to learn from this trial so that I can be a blessing to others and Your name will be glorified.  In the Wonderful Name of Jesus I pray Amen.