Learn from the Oysters!

James 1:2-4; 

“2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Oysters suffer affliction when a grain of sand becomes lodged inside their shell. No matter what they try to do, they cannot get rid of it. The grain of sand begins to irritate them, and even drives them crazy. In other words, it’s like a thorn. In order to get relief from their anguish, they begin to release a substance that coats the grain of sand. Over time, as a result of multiple layers of coating, a sense of comfort is achieved. They do not get rid of the sand, but the sand gets embedded within the multiple layers of coating. Years later, out comes something that costs a mint, a costly pearl. Perfect example of pain that fashions beauty and elegance.

Christians! When God allows us to suffer, He does it to produce something precious. That is why Peter admonishes his audience to “…greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ….” (1 Peter 1:6—7). May God help us to trust completely in Him when we go to various trials, being assured of the fact that God is perfecting His work in us.

Stephen Thomas (Bobby)

Stephen is an ordained Christian Minister and a Bible teacher who is a mentor to several youth leaders in Crossway Church and around the globe. He is a regular visiting Speaker in Crossway Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at stephenthomas6400@hotmail.com