Today’s guest post comes from a new friend of mine, Allison McKay. Allison and I share similar hearts for reaching women who want to study the Bible and learn how to live out their faith in the real world. You can find more of her awesome materials and resources at delightthyself.com and you can find her devotionals on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/She-Delighting-Examples-Women-Bible/dp/0999517554/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Allison+McKay&qid=1605802997&sr=8-1 . I hope her guest post encourages you in these difficult times as much as it did me!

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A few weeks ago, I attended a ladies conference where the theme was about pearls. We began the meeting by looking at the process of how a pearl is made. Don’t worry: this is not a science project, but there is something that we can apply to our lives from learning about pearls.

A natural pearl is formed when an irritant (sometimes a grain of sand or parasite) works its way inside a living creature that dwells in a shell…like an oyster, mussel, or clam. As a defense mechanism, the irritant is coated by a protective fluid inside the shell. Layer after layer of this coating is placed upon it until a lustrous pearl is formed. This process can take six months to several years to take place.

The struggles we face in our day to day lives are like that irritant that comes within the shell of the living creature.

Without pain and irritation, there would be no pearl.

Have you ever looked back at how the Lord used what started out as a painful experience, and now He has turned it into something beautiful? 

We all have pearls in our lives that He has created.

God has a purpose and a plan when He allows trials and tribulations to come into our lives.

Think of this time last year… how has your life changed?

None of us knew or expected that in a few short months a pandemic would literally change everything. 

A year ago, we had no idea what trials lied ahead of us.

Some of us have lost loved ones. 

Some of us had to move to a new location.

Some of us have been betrayed by people we love. 

Some of us have been left empty handed.

Some of us have had to re-evaluate our priorities. 

Some of us have had to start over.

Some can look back on their trials now, but some of us are still right in the middle of them waiting for God to intervene.

How thankful are you for those promises the Lord gives us within His Word?

Philippians 4:19

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Romans 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.”

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

2 Corinthians 4:17

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

1 Peter 4:12-13

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

Psalm 28:7

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”

There are many, many more, but these are just a few verses that we can cling to in times of trouble.

Now imagine…

What if you did not have those promises to cling to?

What if the Truth of those Words did not apply to you?

There would be nothing but gloom and despair.

You would have no hope.

Sadly, that is the reality of every person that does not know Him.

Let that sink in…

Your family member. Your coworker.

Your friend. Your cashier. Your waitress.

Your nurse. Your bank teller. Your neighbor.

That person you hold the door open for.

That person sitting beside you.

Every person we pass by…

If they do not know the Lord Jesus Christ, that is their condition at this moment.

For those of us who know Him…

He is our Hope. He is our Anchor.

He is our peace. He is our Strength.

He is everything we need.

But Who is He to them?

He is waiting to be their Saviour.

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

It is up to us to tell them about Him.

We have been given the responsibility of sharing the Gospel with everyone around us. They cannot believe in Him if they have not heard about Him.

Romans 10:14

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”

May this give us the desire to want to tell others about Him.

Ask the Lord to help you be a witness for Him today.

He can give you the strength and courage to be bold in your faith.

Matthew 5:16

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

There are countless ways that you can shine your light for Him.

Walk across the street and invite that neighbor to church.

Pass out that Gospel tract.

Write a note to that person on your heart.

Call that friend.

Text that family member and tell them that not only you love them, but God loves them too.

Whatever the Lord lays on your heart, decide today to have the faith to obey His leading. 

I can promise you that you won’t regret following Him.

Allow Him to use you for His glory today.

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We, as Christian women, have access to the most calming love and beauty in this world (and the next) and through our access, we must help others access the love of Jesus. So many women suffer silently needlessly: we have exactly what they need to find salvation, joy, peace, love…. I challenge you as our new friend, Allison, challenges you: tell at least one person around you about Jesus this week.