Virtue can be defined in many ways. It is moral excellence. It is righteousness. It is goodness. It is purity. It is patience. It is kindness. It is abstinence. It is wisdom. It is vigilance. It is carefulness. It is thoughtfulness. It is discretion. It is everything God longs for us to be.
Jackie likens our lives, our trials and tribulations, to that of a pearl. Just as a pearl starts off rough, being sanded, and belted with grains of sand until it becomes a precious jewel, so do we become His precious jewels when we let Him use our life experiences to turn us into such. Ever heard the saying 'when life hands you lemons, make lemonade'? As cheesy as it may be, it's great advice. No one lives a life without any downfalls...without any issues...without any problems. What's important is how you respond to all of these. Will you use the burdens in your life to glorify God? Or will you turn from Him in your time of need?
Jackie likens our lives, our trials and tribulations, to that of a pearl. Just as a pearl starts off rough, being sanded, and belted with grains of sand until it becomes a precious jewel, so do we become His precious jewels when we let Him use our life experiences to turn us into such. Ever heard the saying 'when life hands you lemons, make lemonade'? As cheesy as it may be, it's great advice. No one lives a life without any downfalls...without any issues...without any problems. What's important is how you respond to all of these. Will you use the burdens in your life to glorify God? Or will you turn from Him in your time of need?
"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, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."- James 1.2-4
Trials are meant to test your faith and build your character. That's not to say that God is inflicting pain on all of us. Pain comes from the free will of others. It comes from poor decisions we've made in the past. It comes as a consequence to things that have already be done. When you turn to God and follow his will, you are allowing Him to use these 'sands' to soften your inner 'pearl'.
Every decision you make has an impact. Some bigger than others, but an impact nonetheless. Will you base your decisions upon the Lord? Forsaking your will for His? Or will you be more concerned with the world? With a quick, easy fix? Sometimes Gods way isn't the easy or popular way. It can be hard. It can take time and effort. He is the God of all, and He knows better than you ever will. Trust in Him and let Him make you into the pearl He desires you to be.
When you base your decisions on the Lord, you are not only working on the issue at hand. You are also working on beautifying yourself on the inside. Think of all the time you spend on your hair, your make-up, your outward appearance...do you spend even half that time on your inner beauty? Developing your personality, your mind and your heart is lasting work. Your outer beauty will fade, no matter how hard you work at it.
Every decision you make has an impact. Some bigger than others, but an impact nonetheless. Will you base your decisions upon the Lord? Forsaking your will for His? Or will you be more concerned with the world? With a quick, easy fix? Sometimes Gods way isn't the easy or popular way. It can be hard. It can take time and effort. He is the God of all, and He knows better than you ever will. Trust in Him and let Him make you into the pearl He desires you to be.
When you base your decisions on the Lord, you are not only working on the issue at hand. You are also working on beautifying yourself on the inside. Think of all the time you spend on your hair, your make-up, your outward appearance...do you spend even half that time on your inner beauty? Developing your personality, your mind and your heart is lasting work. Your outer beauty will fade, no matter how hard you work at it.
What do you look for in a man? Do you want someone tall, dark and handsome with a nice car and a big house who can afford to take you to fancy dinners and buy you expensive presents? Or would you prefer someone who has a heart for the Lord, who serves God whole-heartedly, treats others with respect and truly has a passion for life? While the former does seem tempting...I'd much prefer the latter. The only way to attract a man of character is to be a woman of virtue. How can you expect a man of great character to want a woman of shallow worth? It's what's on the inside that counts. Pretty people are not the only ones blessed with marriage. Now this is not to say that you shouldn't take pride in your outward appearance. You should absolutely seek to look your best...just don't make your beauty your primary worth.
"Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in Gods sight."
- 1st Peter 3.4
While your outer beauty fades with the sands of time, your inner beauty will only grow stronger as you continue to nurture it. You cannot expect to catch a prince when you yourself are not a princess. Develop yourself so that you will be ready to share yourself with your god-sent. A godly man will take notice of a virtuous woman because of her godly character rather than for her flowing locks and sparkling eyes.
"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."- Proverbs 31.30
Our personalities are like that of a necklace where each 'bead' or trait is displayed. Is your necklace full of pearls or of cracked, dirty beads? No one is perfect, and no one expects us to be, but you can clean these dirty beads, repair the cracked, broken ones, by asking for Gods forgiveness and help. You must realize that alot of the habitual sins you do or due to underlying cause. Work to realize that cause and seek Gods help to resove it.
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are -- no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."
- Matthew 5.5
God is with us always...it is up to us to decide to walk alongside Him. When you seek to obey God on a moment to moment basis your are emptying yourself of your sinful ways and filling yourself with His Holy Spirit. Will you release your sinful ways and allow God to make you into a His precious jewel? It will most certainly take time and energy, but I strongly believe it will be worth it.
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