Pearl from an Irritant

"...Our present troubles ... produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" (2Corinthians 4:17 NLT) I don't know about you but I cannot tolerate a grain of sand in my eye. It is very irritating and I do everything, including enlisting another person's help, to get it out. It is not the same for the Oyster. An Oyster creates pearl from a grain of sand. The grain of sand is an irritant to the Oyster. The process of producing pearl involves the Oyster producing a chemical, in response to the irritation, which provides a smooth protective coating encasing the sand. This process provides relief for the oyster, but also results in a much valued and beautiful pearl. It is not only a grain of sand in the eye that causes irritation - and the most irritating things in our lives might not be physical. I don't know what your irritations are. Could be the behaviour/actions of a friend, colleague, family or church member. Could be the critic you'd rather avoid. Could be real suffering that you have to endure for the Lord's name. Whatever the irritation, it is possible to respond in ways that produce a stream of patience and goodness from your life, bringing glory to God and blessings to you and others. Paul wrote to the Romans (chapter 12 verse 21) "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." The worst of critics could help you develop a godly character. Irritating images of suffering and injustice could evoke in you a passionate righteous response that meets the needs of thousands of deprived people and leads to the fulfilment of God's purpose for your life. Irritating children, family members or life situation could drive you to your knees where you realise that the spiritual root of certain physical situations can only be dealt with by prayer and fasting! (See Matthew 17:21 - NKJV) Still, your source of irritation might not disappear as fast as you wished, but it would have motivated you to have a deeper fellowship with the Lord and so have His peace in your heart. A mishap or suffering in life could, amongst other benefits, help you refocus on important priorities and eternal values. Paul writes, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18 NIV) I have the feeling that some irritations that come (or yet to come) your way could produce within you a righteous response that produces the pearl of patience, meekness, peace, greater depth of knowledge and skill. Do you realise that God is at work in your life to not only bring relief from irritations, but also bring about transformation (of character) and develop skills that are valuable to you and others long after the original irritation is gone? "These tests have come to prove your faith and to show that it is good. Gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire. Your faith is worth much more than gold and it must be tested also. Then your faith will bring thanks and shining-greatness and honour to Jesus Christ when He comes again." (1Peter 1:7 New Life Version) What is your response to the irritations of life?