Diamonds of Faith
** Playlist **
- Counting My Blessings by Seph Schlueter
- Trust in You by Lauren Daigle
- Blessings by Laura Story
- Another in The Fire by Hillsong
- See A Victory by Elevation Worship
Not Feeling Yourself: Finding Faith in Seasons of Stagnation
In the journey of faith, there are seasons when we find ourselves standing still while the world rushes by. "Not feeling yourself" and feeling "stuck" are universal human experiences—moments when our spiritual, emotional, and personal growth seem to halt despite our best efforts. These periods can be disorienting and discouraging, leading us to question our purpose, our faith, and even God's plan for our lives. Yet, the Christian tradition offers a profound perspective on these difficult seasons: "Heat and pressure is the only way to produce diamonds." This metaphor, while simple, captures a fundamental truth about spiritual formation and personal growth in the Christian life.
The Biblical Perspective on Pressure and Transformation
Scripture consistently presents trials and tribulations not as punishments but as instruments of refinement and growth. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Similarly, Romans 5:3-5 reminds us that "we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope."
The diamond metaphor resonates deeply with these biblical principles. Diamonds begin as ordinary carbon subjected to extraordinary pressure and heat approximately 100 miles beneath the earth's surface. Without these extreme conditions—pressures exceeding 725,000 pounds per square inch and temperatures over 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit—diamonds would never form. What begins as common carbon becomes one of the most precious and enduring substances on earth through this process of intense pressure and heat.
Spiritual Stagnation: The Experience of Being Stuck
The feeling of being stuck while "the world keeps going" reflects a common spiritual experience. The Psalmist often expresses similar sentiments: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?" (Psalm 22:1). In these moments, we may feel that God has abandoned us to stagnation while others continue to grow and flourish.
King David experienced periods of waiting, hiding, and apparent stagnation before ascending to his God-appointed kingship. Joseph spent years in prison before his divine purpose was revealed. Moses spent forty years in the wilderness before God called him to lead Israel. These biblical figures demonstrate that periods of perceived stagnation are often God's preparation grounds.
The Purpose Behind Pressure
From a theological standpoint, the pressure and heat that produce diamonds in nature parallel God's refining work in our lives. The prophet Malachi describes God as "a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3), highlighting the intentional nature of difficult seasons. Just as a silversmith applies heat to remove impurities, God permits trials to purify our faith and character.
Several key purposes emerge from this refining process:
1. Paul writes in Romans 5:3-4 that "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." The pressures we face develop essential Christian virtues.
2. When we find ourselves stuck, our self-sufficiency is challenged, driving us to deeper dependence on God. As Paul learned through his "thorn in the flesh," God's power "is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
3. Our transformation through difficulty becomes a powerful testimony. As Peter notes, trials come "so that the proven genuineness of your faith... may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:7).
4. Like Joseph, who declared that "God intended it for good" (Genesis 50:20), our seasons of pressure often prepare us for future purposes we cannot yet see.
Biblical Examples of Transformation Through Pressure
Scripture provides numerous examples of individuals who experienced profound transformation through seasons of pressure:
Job lost everything he valued, enduring unimaginable suffering that tested his faith to its limits. Through this crucible, Job moved from a position of knowing about God to a deeper, experiential knowledge: "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you" (Job 42:5).
Danielfaced the pressures of exile, cultural assimilation attempts, and eventually the threat of death in the lions' den. These pressures refined his faith and demonstrated God's faithfulness, influencing an entire empire.
The Apostle Paulendured beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, and constant danger. Yet he recognized that "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Perhaps most significantly, Jesus Christ himself endured the ultimate pressure of Gethsemane and Calvary. His suffering produced the redemption of humanity, demonstrating that the greatest transformation comes through the greatest pressure.
Practical Application: Finding Meaning in Seasons of Stagnation
When we feel stuck while the world keeps going, several biblical principles can guide our response:
1. Rather than desperately seeking escape from difficult seasons, Scripture encourages us to be fully present. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) invites us to find God in the stillness of apparent stagnation.
2. Understanding that transformation requires time allows us to cooperate with God's timing. "He has made everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11) reminds us that God's work in us follows His perfect timeline, not our preferred schedule.
3. Isolation intensifies feelings of stagnation. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together."
4. Even in seasons of pressure, we can identify God's blessings. Paul's instruction to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18) challenges us to recognize God's goodness even when we feel stuck.
5. Like a diamond forming slowly under pressure, growth often occurs in ways we cannot immediately perceive. Regularly reflecting on small evidences of transformation helps us recognize God's ongoing work.
Conclusion: From Carbon to Diamond
The journey from feeling stuck to experiencing transformation parallels the metamorphosis from carbon to diamond. Both require heat and pressure. Both take time. Both happen largely unseen. And both result in something of extraordinary value and beauty.
When we feel that life has stalled while the world continues its frantic pace around us, we can take comfort in knowing that these seasons often precede our greatest periods of growth. The pressure that feels overwhelming today may be producing in us a faith more precious than gold and a character that reflects Christ more clearly.
As Isaiah 43:2 promises: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." The heat and pressure we experience are not signs of God's absence but evidence of His transformative work in our lives—producing diamonds of faith that will endure for eternity.
The next time you find yourself "not feeling yourself" while "the world keeps going," remember the diamond—and take heart that your season of pressure may be producing something of immeasurable worth.
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