We can learn to be contented in any circumstances by finding beauty in the collage (an artistic composition made of vaious materials) of our lives. Let's learn from the following message from Jesus.

Difficulties and struggles of daily life are but the more pieces I have to work with, the more I can do with you. The more you are broken in My hands, the more useful you become to Me. I am breaking you so that I might use you much, much more.

I am creating a collage of your life—a collage from the broken pieces of the difficulties you face, the battles you encounter, even the mistakes you make. The more breakings I allow you to go through, the more material I have to work with in My design for you.

This collage is not meant to be just a pretty picture for people to look at or a pretty design for people to admire but it is meant to be held up to the window of My light. My light will shine through the stained glass window of your shattered pieces, revealing beautiful colors, enhancing depth, adding light and beauty to the lives of those who walk in your footsteps.

Each trial that besets you is a new color, a new design within the window of your life. Each difficulty is a new shattered piece that I might use for My glory through you. If I were to take away these difficulties, there would be holes and big gaps within My design. These difficulties complete My work within you.

You might feel that your life would be simpler without these struggles. But then you would also miss out on acquiring that beautiful jewel of experience‚ and others would miss out on the reflection and glow that piece would've brought them.

I too was a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. I know what it's like to experience sorrow and to be deeply grieved and moved to passionate and emotional tears. I suffered in all points, just as you do. (Isaiah 53:3–4; Hebrews 4:15)

My experiences were different than yours, but if you'll look up at the window of My life on Earth, you'll see that I carry the same shattered pieces as your stained glass window.

There are many shattered pieces of My life, shattered pieces of hard experiences, of difficulties, of trials, of sufferings, of temptations, of sorrow and tears which My Father transformed within His hands into a marvelous and breathtaking display of hope‚ courage, faith, and utmost love.

Look up‚ and view the window that displays the story of My life and experiences on Earth. I promise you that there is not one shattered piece within your window that you will not likewise find within Mine.

Your life and tough experiences are beautiful to me. I know that the glass feels sharp to your hands and the shattered pieces tear at your heart, but give them to Me and I will place them in proper perspective for you. I will frame them within the perfect will for your life, and there, they will no longer hurt you.

Once these pieces are in My hands and once you learn to look at them the way I see them, then you can be free from the pain you initially felt as you experience the beautiful wonder that this new colored gem adds to your life.

Look up! In looking up, you will see things the way I see them. You will see My light shining through your life, transforming any difficulty or ugliness into a vision of beauty and perfection… …and let the window of My life be an encouragement to you‚ too. -- Jesus

Come unto me, all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28   We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. ~Romans 5:3-4