“A diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure.” -Henry Kissinger
This is an old line often quoted by people who wish to encourage a person drowned with trials and faced with troubles. The diamond is used as a metaphor to refer to a person whose faith has been tested many times, and yet turned out to glitter and sparkle more every time, like this precious stone.
This is just one of those poetic illustrations of a biblical truth:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” -James1:2-4
James1:2-4 is one of the sweetest words in the bible, which brings encouragement to the hurting people of God. The Christian life goes through a cycle: one part of it is the season of the “testing of our faith“. The verse above tells us to be joyful even when we are in the middle of this season. Not because we are crushed. Not because we are hurting; but because something good is waiting for those whose faith is tested: the gift of perseverance, and eventually, maturity, not lacking anything.
I am convinced that such season is a perfect time for us to be polished for our luster to appear brighter. It develops the one single thing that defines the beauty of a person: CHARACTER.
If we take every test of faith with a humble attitude, teachable heart, ears that listen to God’s voice, and actions that show obedience to Christ, we will surely turn-out to be the kind of people God wants us to be—shining like a diamond to reflect His glory. Although at the moment, nothing seems to make sense. Although at the moment, everything seems so vague.
One of my loved sisters in Christ once told me “No true disciple of God, ever regretted following /obeying Jesus” =)
Jesus Avenue 