From Isaiah 54

For this is as the waters of Noah to Me; for as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn from being angry with you and from rebuking you.
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall the covenant of My peace be removed, says Jehovah who has mercy on you.
Afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones among antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
And I will make your battlements of ruby, and your gates of carbuncles, and all your borders of pleasant stones.
And all your sons shall be taught of Jehovah; and great shall be the peace of your sons.
 

Heat and pressure

Gems are formed through the action of heat, pressure and other forces on minerals. No life is without some struggles and difficulties. We hope the things we experience in life that seem less pleasant are turned to our good, as Paul wrote,

Rom 8:28  “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

As you encounter difficult moments in life, please don’t feel alone. If you don’t have anybody who seems like a true friend, please email us. Everyone finds herself in struggles from time to time. This is what a wise man wrote about the effect of struggles in our lives:

My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations,

knowing that the trying of your faith works patience.

But let patience have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.

But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing. For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.

--From James Chapter 1