Many people around us are facing a time of loss and need healing. Some have lost spouses, children, jobs, and health. My fellow Mississippians who live on the gulf coast are losing their entire lifestyle and businesses due to the oil spill. Some are struggling to adjust after a divorce or separation. Having battled through depression and discouragement over loss, I know for a fact that God is with us no matter how we feel. His Word is true and He is faithful to it! Circumstances may change, He remains constant and unfailing. I loved this encouragement today from Joyce Meyer: “Press aggressively into a new life. Not everything in your life is over; just one part of it has ended. One season has passed and another can now begin—if you are willing to take action. Don’t just passively sit and wait for something to happen or someone to come along. Go make new friends. Find someone else who is lonely and be a friend to that person. You will reap what you sow, and God will return that friendship many times over. Let the loneliness you feel turn into compassion for other lonely people, and then decide to do something about it!”  When we are in the midst of an intense fight with our emotions, after our identity has been stripped away and we are left wondering who we are and how to live, I know that we do NOT want to hear “Get over it!” At least I never do!:) We’ll usually respond with, “How do people expect me to just get over it when they have no idea what I’m going through!” But when the initial smoke has cleared and the throbbing of your heart has subdued, I’ve found that its CRUCIAL to leave that despondent pit behind! If you stay there, you pro-long the healing process. Word of instruction: Do something! Be there for someone else who is suffering. As Elizabeth Elliot says, “Do the next thing.” His will is for us to live the abundant life He has bought for us with His blood. He not only holds us when we need His consolation, but He empowers us to carry on His purpose and work he’s given us to do on this earth! He alone should be our great motivation to press on. Strive for the glory of God! He will bring you peace as you give yourself to Him and His love to others.

Some jewels may be made from rocks and crystals; other jewels might be mined out of the earth, but not so with pearls. Unlike other gems, pearls are drawn from something that’s alive! Pearls are produced by a life that has overcome affliction,that has overcome suffering. Little wonder they are so valuable! -Joni Eareckson Tada

I found this inspiring bit of info in a devotional from the shelves of the Lamplighter. I’ve always been blessed by Joni’s testimony. She hasn’t let her paralysis keep her from serving God and other people, no matter how painful or inconvenient and despite discouragement. God is her Master-her problems are not! The devil would have us believe that we are slaves to something temporary and fleeting. But this world will pass away with the thing that seems to be larger than life right now. I’ve asked the Lord in recent days to change my vision. “Refocus,Annie!”, I tell myself. “Get your God back in His rightful position, front and center and BIG!” If we could only see what He’s doing through the “affliction and suffering” we face. Could it be that these fiery days are necessary times? I believe so. I have a sneaky suspicion that He’s shaping the pearl:) He’s making a testimony to glorify Himself. He’s teaching victory through the Spirit of graciousness, mercy, and forgiveness. Those lessons can only be learned by coming in contact with “rough sands”. Hold on, sister! Press on, bro! He’s making the pearl. Why does he choose us? I will never know. Nothing but understanding that His love is unconditional comes close in our feeble minds to explain why He wouldn’t just throw us away and POOF!- create a shiny new pearl for himself without a scar or blemish. Thankfully, that’s not how grace works! Mercifully, He allows us to be tested and tried, because He has something beautiful in mind:) He’s making the pearl. Rom 8:18 -For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Wow, my eyes fill with tears as I type this knowing so many, including myself, are feeling the potter’s hands strip away the broken and damaged pieces of clay and begin to mold His work of art. A jewel in the making, yet already purchased with blood-the only blood that can save.