A consistent theme during the last couple years of my life has been what I have dubbed as ‘pearls in the process.’ Everyone has their process to go through in their walk with the Lord. Sometimes we get so focused on the negative junk in the process that we forget to see the good that comes out of it. There have been many situations in my life where the circumstances were rough. In those situations, I could have focused on how bad things were and there were times that I did. However, good came out of those situations.

James 1 says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

When we encounter these trials it is part of our process. Through this scripture, we see what will happen if we take joy in the process. There are pearls to gain from the process. In this case, the testing of our faith produces pearls of endurance and satisfaction in Christ.

The last two years I’ve had many different processes going on but a major one was an accident where my top jaw got fractured and several teeth knocked out. This situation could have been a time to sink into self-pity. Instead, I chose to see it as an opportunity to take joy and see what God would do with it. What were the pearls he wanted to give me through it? It has been two and a half years and this May is when I will have my final work done for that incident! I can tell you that I have gained pearls of deeper trust in God, patience, joy, thankfulness, provision and so much more. These pearls I can take into the next situation that pops up in life. I can also use them to help and encourage others.

So today I ask you, what process are you going through? What are the pearls God wants to give you from it?

Written by: Liz Livingston
Published on 4/24/18