Did you know that an unscathed oyster does not produce pearls?
It’s true! An oyster’s pearl is a healed wound.
Pearls are a product of pain, the result of a foreign or unwanted substance entering the oyster, such as a parasite or a grain of sand.
The inside of an oyster shell is covered by a shiny, protective substance called “nacre.” When a grain of sand enters, the nacre cells go to work and cover the grain of sand with layers and more layers to protect the defenseless body of the oyster. As a result, a beautiful pearl is formed!
And, as we all know, the more pearls, the more valuable.
God never allows pain without a purpose. So, what if your greatest ministry to others comes out of your greatest hurt?
It says in the Bible:
“We are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
The hard things we may be going through now are really nothing in comparison to the glory that will be revealed in us later”
– Romans 8:17-18
So in those moments when you don’t think you can keep going … here’s an affirmation you can hold on to:
God heals my wounds, and gives me a better future.