Sometimes the difficulties of life threaten to undo us. Hard things leave us feeling upset, dejected, and discouraged. We get overwhelmed and want to just give up.

How do we cope in these situations?

If an irritant like dust or dirt gets into the hard drive of a computer, it can mean major problems. Those tiny particles can cause the parts of the computer to malfunction, causing information to be lost, or even resulting in a complete crash. The computer is destroyed; it is no longer of any use to anyone.

I don’t want to be like a computer.

An oyster, on the other hand, handles things differently. If a foreign particle or parasite enters the mantle of the oyster’s shell, the oyster initially becomes irritated. But rather than letting that object destroy it, the oyster secretes a smooth substance called nacre to coat the particle and protect itself. And over time – months or even years – the result is the production of a beautiful and valuable gem – a pearl.

What a beautiful way of handling adversity. 

How amazing that at the first sign of an irritant, the oyster automatically sets into motion to protect itself. Which makes me think, what is my natural reaction to a tough situation? Do I automatically look to God? Do I right away turn to prayer, and protect myself with truths from His Word? Or do I let the irritant fester and start to destroy me?

It is also fascinating that the oyster continues this process over time, producing layer after layer of the protective substance. A pearl is not developed overnight, but over a period of around two years. When faced with trials, do I persist in my faith, turning to God over and over and over again for strength and comfort?

And finally, do I trust that God can bring something good, even something excellent, from my trials?

Charles Spurgeon speaks to the oyster’s amazing work.“ Oh, that we could do so with the provocations we receive… so that pearls of patience, gentleness, long-suffering, and forgiveness might be bred within us by that which has harmed us.”

Can something that seems damaging actually bring about good? This is the perspective that we need to have, a perspective that will bring us hope!

James 1 tells us that trials test our faith, but result in steadfastness, which is what makes us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”(1:2-4)  And then he reminds us that not only do trials build our character here on earth, but when we have remained steadfast, we “will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.” (1:12) What greater pearl can be found than that!

Lord, thank you for giving us earthly examples to help us see and understand your truths. Please help me to remain steadfast in the midst of the complications and difficulties of life. Thank you for the hope that we have in you, even in the darkest of times.