Have you ever noticed how irritating it can be when people are “different” than you?
People can get on your nerves. Drive you up the wall. Rub you the wrong way. Get under your skin.
Sometimes it’s just the way they look. Other times, it’s their annoying habits, repeated offenses, or rude grossness; I’ve come to the conclusion – irritation is a matter of perspective. Maybe it’s my problem, not theirs.
In fact, you know what I tell myself when I start getting irritated?
I say, “Get over it, Cindy. Give it to God and get on with the pearl.”
[Tweet “Life is too precious to live #irritated. Get over it. #transform”]
Life is too precious to live irritated. I’m learning- In God’s kingdom, He takes our annoyance, our discomfort, and our irritations and build something amazingly beautiful in our lives. In fact, the more “irritants”- the more potential for beauty.
Pearls; Lustrous, luminous, glorious delicacy.
Pearls can’t be formed without an “irritant”. Amazing!
The pearl isn’t formed immediately. Once the “irritant” enters the oyster, it takes time and layer after layer of secreting nacre to form this beautiful jewel.
[Tweet “The #irritants of life create lustrous pearls of soul. #beauty #challenges “]
My pearls aren’t formed immediately either. Patience and Mercy are a work in progress. Compassion and grace are only formed in us when “irritants” enter into enter our comfy-cozy, insulated lives. Time and layer after layer of secreting God’s perspective and God’s Love surround the “irritant”. This is what creates the beauty inside.
The beauty comes, not from removal of the irritant, but accepting and surrounding it with substance of God’s love.
So, next time someone is irritating, or different, or frustrating, or inconvenient- get over it and get on with it! Ask God to begin layering that irritant with love and create some lustrous pearls.
Surprising Treasures: James 1:2-4 Bible Gateway
2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
If the more irritants the more beautiful I’ll become, then I am so excited as to how beautiful I’ll turn out to be. LOL.
This is a very insightful post. Thanks!!!
LOL- Lux- I know right?! The Lord is so good to take our weaknesses and “irritants” and change them into something beautiful. I’m in awe of His wonders. He doesn’t waste anything in the process of transformation. I’m going to hop over and read your post! Blessings
What an awesome reminder! I love this post. Thank you Cindy for your beautiful message.
Thanks for stopping by Barbara, and taking the time to comment. Blessings today- I can see by your blog title, I need to hop right over there and read. Our family is leaving today for our 6th annual family retreat- 3 days of rest and fun in the Lord. 🙂
Perhaps the most memorable sermon I ever heard was on the pearl of great price, with a never-before-heard twist. Since WE cannot purchase our salvation, the preacher explained that we are the pearl and the great price was what Jesus paid to redeem us “irritants” and cover us over with His love. Doesn’t that give you goosebumps!? To think God put this surprising treasure message in His creation for us to find just boggles my mind. And, since we are His hands and feet to the world, how appropriate that we cover our own irritants with the love of God in Christ Jesus, too. Thanks for another delightful post, Cindy!
Perfect! When you stop and think about how “irritating” and imperfect we are- WOW! That the Lord wouldn’t just start all over with mankind- instead He layers us with His love and transforms us! He is beyond amazing and wonderful! Thanks for your insights Edy- you always add so much with your comments and I love you to pieces!
I think I must have made a bunch of pearls for a bunch of people… I can be irritating!
And yes, Edy, the pearl of great price… Priceless!
What a beautiful way to look at it – we all can be pearls sometimes, I think. It’s beautiful how God works on us, even if it’s really hard to be patient sometimes, lmao
I LOVE that God doesn’t make us robots but let’s us recognize our need and desire to be made over by Him! I’m so thankful He doesn’t leave me broken, angry, or empty. His patient transformation to something beautiful and pure blows my mind! Thanks for stopping by Stefanie. I can’t wait to read you recent post- Your Love Will Never Be Enough. blessings!