Broken but Priceless Ministries
Follow Us:
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Broken but Priceless Ministries
    • Erin Elizabeth Austin
    • Josie Siler
    • Kathy Sebright
  • BLOG
    • Blog
    • Answers for Everyday Life
  • Magazine
    • The Magazine
    • Resources
  • Prayer
    • Request Prayer
    • Become a Prayer Partner
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Erin!
    • Public Speaking

A Diamond in the Rough

8/13/2012

Comments

 
I have a confession to make. I’ve never liked Philippians 1:29-30. It’s one those passages of Scripture that makes me uncomfortable every time I read it. Most people who experience a difficult time in their lives will skip past these few verses because they don’t like to think about what Paul is saying. In these two verses, Paul actually says, “For to you, it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

By studying Paul’s life and all he was experiencing at the time he wrote the book of Philippians, I know Paul is talking to the people of Philippi about being persecuted for their faith in Christ, yet Paul’s words still bother me. Granted to suffer for Christ’s sake? To me, it sounds like Paul is saying it’s a privilege to suffer. Although I’ve learned to see God at work in my sickness, I don’t know that I would call it a privilege to be sick.

As I studied these verses, I discovered something. The word used for suffering is closely linked to a word which means “to make proof of; test.” Paul also uses this word in other letters he wrote to describe various types of trials, which means sickness, financial trouble, and personal problems can apply to suffering for Christ’s sake. The more I studied this passage of Scripture, the more I began to understand what Paul meant by suffering for Christ’s sake.

The original language Paul uses is comparable to the formation of a diamond. A diamond is made miles below the earth’s surface when carbon rocks are melted by the intense heat of the earth’s mantle and then placed under an immense amount of pressure. This pressure then makes a beautiful diamond. Like a carbon rock transforming into a rare and valuable jewel, suffering can turn us into diamonds when we look to Christ in our pain. When we choose to honor God in our suffering, He will transform our lives into something beautiful. Our job is to trust God, glorify Him in our attitudes, words, and actions, and wait for Him to turn our suffering into something valuable.

Becoming a diamond isn’t easy. In fact, it’s extremely hard. That’s why diamonds are so rare. Before the diamond is formed, the rock often breaks apart and is destroyed. The same thing can often be said about people who are suffering. More times than not, they are destroyed by the process before they can become something beautiful, because they don’t turn to God in their suffering. Yet the ones who willingly let God shape them into a diamond are stunningly beautiful because they reflect God.

I doubt I will ever say that being sick is fun, yet I’m in awe that God loves me so much He is unwilling to leave me in my carbon state. God alone can look at who I am and see the potential of who I can be. If suffering is what it takes to make me more like Christ, than yes, it is worth it.

To us, it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. So don’t give up and grow discouraged at the problems you are currently facing. God is at work in your life, and He is making you into a rare, valuable jewel.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” ~ James 1:2-4 (NASB)

(c) August 13, 2012

Comments
    Email Subscription

    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


    Picture
    Erin Elizabeth Austin

    Author

    Erin Elizabeth Austin is a writer and speaker with a passion to help people find healing in the midst of their brokenness.

    If you want to contact Erin directly please click here.


    Picture
    Josie Siler

    Contributor

    Josie Siler, like millions of others, is living with chronic illness. She is eager to share the hope and joy that she has found in Christ, whether that is in a church, at a women’s retreat, over a cup of hot cocoa, or through a blog post.
    Click here to email Josie.


    Archives

    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

    Categories

    All
    A New Perspective
    Angry At God
    Believing God
    Discovering Joy
    Embracing Who God Created You To Be
    Fighting Feelings Of Low Self Worth
    Fighting Feelings Of Low Self-Worth
    Learning To Thrive
    Names Of God
    Overcoming Bitterness
    Prayer
    Questioning God's Goodness
    Questioning God's Love
    Rising Above The Pain
    The Armor Of God
    The Names Of God
    When Hope Is Lost


    RSS Feed

Website by Business Notes LLC --- Photo Credits: Josie Siler