Irritations

"When it comes to irritations, I've found that it helps if I remember that I am not in charge of my day... God is. And while I'm sure he wants me to use my time wisely, he is more concerned with the development of my character and the cultivation of the qualities that make me Christlike within. One of his preferred methods of training is through adjustments to irritations.

A perfect illustration? The oyster and its pearl.
Pearls are the products of irritation. This irritation occurs when the shell of the oyster is invaded by an alien substance like a grain of sand. When that happens, all the resources within the tiny, sensitive oyster rush to the irritated spot and begin to release healing fluids that otherwise would have remained dormant. By and by the irritant is covered-- by a pearl. Had there been no irritating interruption, there could have been no pearl. No wonder our heavenly home has pearly gates to welcome the wounded and bruised who have responded correctly to the sting of irritations."

Source: Charles Swindoll, The Finishing Touch