More Precious than Pearls

This Valentine’s Day, let us CELEBRATE that we are women of value and worth. Even when life brings disappointments, God promises to give beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. (See Isaiah 61:3)

We are reminded in Proverbs 31:30 that physical beauty soon fades over time, but we have the potential to be beautiful with God’s beauty, beautiful INSIDE and out! And this beauty NEVER fades. (See Luke 1:28)

You may look at yourself and think that your scars of the past will be with you always. I like to look at these beauty marks like pearls.

In fact, Proverbs 31:10 says that because we revere the Lord, our value is far above rubies or pearls; or as one translation puts it, our worth is far more than diamonds. We are both precious AND valuable. (See Proverbs 31:10)

In the original Hebrew, Proverbs 31:10 compares this woman to pearls. Understanding the comparison to pearls instead of rubies and diamonds teach us a lot about who we are in God sight, and who we need to see ourselves to be.

Precious gems such as diamonds and rubies are a naturally occurring gemstone. While they are beautiful, valuable, and hard to find, they do exist given the right environment.

A pearl, on the other hand, is different. It is created by a process that begins with an irritation.

Something uncomfortable enters a clam, such as a grain of sand, or even a piece of itself that was damaged. Because of the irritation, the clam responds by sealing off the contaminant and ultimately producing a pearl. It is amazing how something that was irritating can become a beautiful, valuable, rare gem.

Let’s look at James that reminds us to count it all joy when we encounter troubles of any kind.

James 1:3-4 in the Message translation says that “for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So, let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, STRONG in character, FULL and COMPLETE.

I discovered early in my marriage that I did not value who I was in Christ. I kept focusing on my inadequacies and weaknesses. As much as my husband tried to affirm me, I could not get a grip on this low self-esteem. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the power of God’s promises, I began to really believe the promise that Christ’s strength is moving in on my weakness.

I began to choose to take limitations in stride, and with GOOD CHEER. I relinquished these limitations that were trying to cut me down to size—low self-esteem, insecurity, fear, worry and I just let Christ take over! And so, the weaker I get, the STRONGER I BECOME. (See 2 Corinthians 12:9)

It is amazing how as my mind aligned with God’s Word, I began to walk in that promise that I am a capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman. I began to realize my value is far MORE precious than jewels and my value is far ABOVE rubies or pearls. (See Proverbs 31:10)

God is awesome. He assures us that He will make all things work together for good. (See Romans 8:28) All the failures, all the false starts, all the disappointments, He will turn it all around and give us beauty for those ashes, and work it all into something BEAUTIFUL.

So, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s remember to celebrate God’s love for us. His love covers a multitude of sins, His love is ever ready to believe the best. His love allows us to see our value so we can discover the beauty and value in others. (see Romans 12:17-19)

HAPPY Valentine’s Day

The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.--Anonymous

“Love…binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cindy

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