Life has its share of good times and trouble. If we are blessed to live long enough, we will experience a life-changing, soul-defining tragedy. We may attempt to find meaning or purpose in those awful things that happen to us. However, some questions don’t have answers on this side of heaven. It never works out when we try to understand the eternal with the limitations of earthly understanding. The good news is that we don’t have to be at the mercy of our trauma. Trusting God with the pressure, pain, confusion, shock, overwhelm, and tragedy will create strength, peace, and eternal reward.
“The extreme heat and pressure combined actually modified graphite, a crystalline carbon, on the atomic level. This restructured graphite’s molecular composition from a hexagonal sheet pattern into a triangular shape, resulting in diamond.”
The Diamond Pro
Diamond Makers
Those we can rely on, who are clear under pressure, are not novices; they are diamonds to me. Just like the heat and intense pressure change the structure of carbon into diamonds, trials can do the same for us. Like clay, we are moldable, changed, and re-formed by the pressures and manipulations of trauma and experiences. If we turn to God in our pain and pressure, asking Him to guide, comfort, and change us, He will do something beautiful. He turns the pain of the experience into strength, faith, and beauty. Instead of shuddering at the remembrance, it will remind us of His goodness, faithfulness, and kindness.
"We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
"I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
The Trick
No one sane person enjoys or appreciates difficulties. It is easy to squirm, complain, feel sorry for yourself, and buck under the pressure of pain. It’s helped me so much when I used this trick of simple reframing. My trick is realizing I’m clay, pliable, and will be changed by this experience, so I may as well allow God to change me through it. Yes, I cry, beg, plead, pray, and even complain more than I’d like to admit. Instead of seeking through the darkness of my trial for meaning, I’ve learned to trust that He has the answers and I don’t have to know everything. It strengthens my faith and fortifies my soul.
Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you fall into various temptations, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
"Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh, which he will work for you today; for you will never again see the Egyptians whom you have seen today." Exodus 14:13
Prayer
Thank You, God, for this day, for eyes to see, for the chirping birds, and for the many blessings You give me that are sometimes eclipsed by the pain in my heart and the anxiousness in my mind. Oh Lord, as I’m going through this challenging time, would You make something beautiful come out of it? Deliver me from an enemy too strong for me, and help me become more like You. I will turn my eyes and hope to You, the author and finisher of my faith. Thank you for hearing me. You will comfort and guide me and work on my behalf. In Jesus’ name, amen.
"to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair.[a] And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify him."
Isaiah 61:2-4 CSB
