Diamonds in the rough

Have you ever watched the process of diamond making? It's very interesting. There's a lot of excavation that is necessary to retrieve the rocks that have diamonds within them. In its pure state, it is a rough stone, yet a potentially precious stone. There is a process that it must go through in order to take it from the 'rough' stage to the 'precious' stage. Hence the term, 'Diamonds in The Rough'.

There is a lot of chiseling to be done and after the stone is separated from the surrounding rock that covers it, it is sent to the diamond expert who then examines it and takes in consideration the weight of the rough diamond. He also decides the final cut for the diamond.

The diamond then goes through a process called, 'Brooding'. This process is expressly for the shaping and rounding of the diamond which is the basis of the finished stone. The final stage for the diamond is the 'Polish' stage. Polish produces brilliance.

We are all diamonds in the rough! Many can appreciate a beautiful diamond. A man who is ready to get married searches for the perfect engagement ring for his fiancé. He looks for the right size and the right shape that will suit the lovely finger of his bride-to-be. Most women desire large diamonds. However, all are pleased with the one they receive from the one they love.

A diamond is multi-dimensional with prisms of shades and color that glistens. No two diamonds are the same! They are unique and special! There is a lot of excavation in the diamond mines that are labor intensive. The diamonds have to go through a process to become what we see.

This process requires:
*Very high pressure because pressure makes diamonds!
*Very high temperature

This process produces a 'Flawless Diamond'.

The Lord puts His people through a similar process. He is the 'Diamond Expert'! He knows just how much pressure to put us under and how hot the temperature needs to be in order to melt away the dross and all the impurities in our lives. His tools cut sharp and deep, yet every stroke is guided by His loving hand.

We, on the other hand, abhor this process, I know I do, yet I understand it. 

What is God using to shape you and to mold you? How are you standing up to the pressure and heat of God's hand upon you?

God, our diamond expert is gentle, merciful and kind. He handles us with care. He weeps with us when He sees our tears.  He understands that we are human and frail. He feels our pain. Psalm 56:8 says, "Put thou my tears into thy bottle, are they not in thy book?"

                        Excerpt from the book: Rich Beyond Measure
​                      by Patricia Stuart and is Part 2 to Called To Suffer (memoir)