Encouragement

Stop! Search for that Pearl!

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
09/19/15
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‘…seek and you will find…’ (Matthew 7:7).

In part one, ‘Learning from Mistakes of the Past,’ I shared three of the twelve points recognised from a mistake made in the past. In listing those points I was able to analyse the situation and began to see the beauty rising from the ashes.

It was a few months ago, I made that mistake by doing something I strongly believed I should have done many years ago (so part of the mistake was allowing things to lay dormant, not having the courage to fully address those issues many years ago). However, though I have endured much heartache from the situation it was imperative that I exercised some more patience.  I didn’t wait on God’s complete instructions and so my timing and delivery method was not in sync with His (looking at the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ series has helped me to recognise that). I had to repent and asked for forgiveness.

Although I am more equipped now and would allow wisdom’s voice to reign, should there be another case like the one to which this article refers, I am also thankful for what I discovered from the mistake.  Our mistakes are there to learn from and not to bring us to despair.  What we haven’t been taught by our parents or other leaders we will certainly learn through life experience. Unfortunately, that means making mistakes along the way and then recognising that such a method does not work. While these mistakes are being made they can either strengthen the bond between family members and friends or it can destroy those bonds. Relationship building is a risky business and many times hearts are broken and wounds are left open.

Had I not replied the way I did, I would not have discovered the truth about what others thought of me. My reaching out (however untimely and inappropriate the wording) was the key to the unveiling of the façade, giving the perpetrators reasons to show their true colours and be free to pretend no more. That’s something to give thanks for. When one is liberated from captivity it is an opportunity for praise and thanksgiving. Knowing the way the perpetrators feel about me and have felt about me all those years made me cry because it highlighted the point that truly ‘the arm of flesh will fail you’ which is the very reason faith comes alive in me.

Yet, it is a liberating feeling to know that those individuals are no longer doing things out of obligation. They are now free to do as they please. They are now exercising the freedom they have always had to do as they have always wanted to do in the past, fearing their true colours would be revealed. So although I’m sad for the alleged damage done and the ache in my heart seems to worsen by the day, I still have a reason to embrace 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ Therefore, even in the midst of pain we can find reasons to give thanks.

In the physical realm, what I was trying to achieve was not accomplished because my words and intentions were misunderstood. Yet I know that God was still working through the mess to create a masterpiece. If like me, you’ve been asking, “Where is the positive in all this mess?” In other words, “Where is the pearl?” I want to encourage you to keep on searching because it is indeed there. It just might be hidden among haystacks or within overgrown bushes. Dig deep, similarly to how one has to dig deep down to find the natural pearl. Don’t pine away on the mistakes. Ask for forgiveness and move forward with your daily activities while patiently waiting on God’s instructions and His timing. Weeping may endure for a night but surely as the Word of God declares, joy comes in the morning. Keep searching and don’t stop until you find your pearl.

>>>Please join me in part 3: 'Share Your Pearl of Wisdom'

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