I wish, brothers and sisters, that we could all imitate "the pearl oyster"--A hurtful particle intrudes itself into its shell, and this vexes and grieves it. It cannot reject the evil, but what does it do but "cover" it with a precious substance extracted out of its own life, by which it turns the intruder into a pearl! Oh, that we could do so with the provocations we receive from our fellow Christians, so that pearls of patience, gentleness, and forgiveness might be bred within us by that which otherwise would have harmed us.
[Charles H. Spurgeon]
Galatians 5:22 ... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
James 1:2-4 ... My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Matthew 18:35 ... So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. ❤
