Beauty in the Broken Things
The beach storm was fierce. Angry black clouds pelted watery swords toward the roaring waves that reached up with foamy fists. Sea oats and tall beach grass strained to keep the sand dunes in place. But within thirty minutes of the war of wind and waves, the sun came from the east, chased the irate clouds out to sea, and told the ocean to settle down.
I’ve learned the best time to hunt for treasure at the beach is after a storm. So, I grabbed my orange bucket and headed to the shore to see what I could find.
I was looking for unbroken shells, but often whole is hard to find. Broken pieces carpeted the sand and shimmered like confetti.
Finally, a conch stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t something you’d find on a gift shop shelf or a souvenir counter. Its entire outside had been worn away by years of struggle. What remained was a smooth pink conical inside—a masterpiece previously hidden by the hard exterior.
I picked it up. I thought of me. I thought of you.
Jesus warned us, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). We can count on raucous storms in this life. It’s a promise. But what we do after the storm has passed can make the biggest difference in how we view those squalls of trouble.
We can stay stuck in the memory of trauma or search for treasures in the aftermath of trials.
Paul wrote: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away (can I get an amen) yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV emphasis added).
How do we uncover the post-trial treasures? It begins with questions such as:
What did I learn about God from this situation?
What did I learn about myself?
How did God provide?
How was my faith strengthened?
How did the struggle draw me closer to God?
One of the treasure’s many have discovered after an emotional storm is the wearing away of the hard exterior to reveal the beauty within. The bantering of the salty sea of trials reveals a beauty that can only be seen through struggles. The inner beauty of the old conch was a hidden masterpiece, until the tossing, turning, and churning removed the outer layer to reveal what was hidden inside. I think it’s the same for you and me. Broken reveals beauty…when we take the time to look for it.
So, search the shoreline of your story. Ask God to open your eyes to the treasures hidden in the very storms you thought would destroy you. The beauty forming within you may be a masterpiece only hardship could reveal.
God, I don’t like going through the storms of life. However, I know that some lessons can only be learned through trial and trouble. Open my eyes to see the treasures, my ears to hear the lessons, my heart to embrace the inner beauty being formed as I draw closer to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What is one treasure you’ve discovered through a storm you’ve weathered? Click on comment and let’s share.
Digging Deeper
If you are having trouble answering the question above, I want to help. That’s why I wrote, When You Don’t Like Your Story: What if Your Worst Chapters Could Become Your Greatest Victories. Let me help you find those treasures. They might be easier to spot than you think.
