Laura and I just returned from Montana where we had the privilege of teaching/training in four churches in four cities. If you’ve never been there… allow me to let you in on a little secret… Montana is beautiful. The mountains are spectacular… so gorgeous that they almost don’t seem real. Every curve in the highway reveals another stunning view. And while enjoying the scenery, the thought occurred to me…. all of this beauty was the result of pressure.

The Rocky Mountains took shape during an intense period of plate tectonic activity that resulted in much of the rugged landscape of the western North America. Pressure produced overwhelming beauty.

Pressure and high temperatures transform carbon into diamonds. Glass blowing artists create beautiful pieces of art using intense fire. Steel is formed in blast furnaces where high heat removes the impurities. Peter Marshall writes: “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds…”

Pressure is something many of us try to avoid at all costs. We like to travel the path of least resistance. But the truth is pressure produces beauty. When we see beauty in a person’s life… in their character… in their passion… in the quality of their work… we can be sure that at some point they endured intense pressure. High heat. And those difficult experiences formed who they are today.

When we respond to pressure maturely… beauty results. When we go through the purification process of difficulty… it tempers our personality… our character. It teaches us compassion for others. The most effective people I know have gone through seasons of trial and tribulation… and allowed pressure to create beauty instead of bitterness.

No wonder James writes in his epistle: “Consider it pure joy when you suffer trials of many kinds…..” In the past, I never really liked that verse of scripture. How can you be joyful when life seems to be crushing you? James goes on to explain: “Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We’re not joyful for the trial… we’re joyful about the good things that trial will eventually produce. So no matter what difficulty you’re currently facing, remember that pressure… if properly responded to… produces stunning beauty.