Trials are the Pearls of Life

Trials come in many forms; some trials can be like a little pebble in our shoe that pricks us and irritates us each time we walk, others can be gut wrenching, life changing experiences. It is our attitude towards the trials that makes the difference.

One of the many fascinating events in nature that depict the beauty in trials is the formation of a pearl.  Inside an oyster's shell is an organ called the "mantle"; which produces a material called nacre; a calcium carbonate substance that lines the inside of the shell.  The formation of the Pearl begins when a microscopic intruder such as a parasite or grain of sand becomes lodged between the mantle and the shell irritating it.  The oyster's natural reaction is to cover up the irritant to protect itself.  The mantel covers the irritant with layers of the nacre.  This process is repeated and over a period of several years, this build-up of nacre forms a pearl.

It was because of something that was an irritant that a beautiful pearl was formed.  God gave the oyster a way of protecting itself from irritants.  Just think, if there was no irritant, there would not be any reason to secrete the nacre and we would not have the pleasure of this beautiful gemstone; the Pearl.  But notice that the pearl was not formed immediately, but the process took time. 

This is the same with trials in our lives.  Trials act as the irritant and over time the Holy Spirit can produce a beautiful Christ-like character in us.  So the next time you are faced with a trial, remember that God has a plan and a purpose which is creating a beautiful pearl in your life.