“to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 6:13

“I will make beauty from the ashes.”

The Lord has whispered these words to me many times in my walk with Him.  Today as I walked the neighborhood, I felt them in my spirit once again.  What a beautiful promise to hold onto especially now in the midst of what the world is going through.  My heart is overwhelmed by His goodness and His grace that He shows me daily.

As I walked I reflected on all the time I have been blessed to spend with my two college-age daughters.  We have had more “Game Nights” over the last six weeks than I think we have had in the last couple of years. All the nights of playing, laughing, and reminiscing will stay with me long after they move back to their own spaces and return to their normal schedules.

All of the mornings that I have been able to get up and walk and talk with my Heavenly Father have kept me sane.  They have brought me so much beauty, so much peace, and so much strength in the midst of the chaos that surrounds me. I have felt His presence as He reassures me that He truly is with me wherever I go!

As we navigate through this unusual season that we are in, it is easy to get lost in the ashes of it all.  It is easy to focus on the loss, the fear, and the uncertainty of each day.

I know there are many who are suffering right now.  Their spirits are filled with heaviness.  There are many struggling with deep grief, illness, lost jobs, shattered hopes, and broken dreams. This may even describe you at this very moment.

Are you wondering where God is and why hasn’t He stepped in and made a change to your circumstances?

The truth is that He is there in the midst of it all with you.  You may not see Him or feel Him working but He is.  His Word promises that He will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)  You just have to trust in Him.  You have to choose Him.  You have to walk in FAITH knowing that the ashes will fall away, they will not last forever.  You have to know that His greatness will shine through even the darkest of places.

I love the words of Crystal Lewis’s song, “Beauty for Ashes”

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

I once was lost but God has found me
Though I was bound I’ve been set free
I’ve been made righteous in His sight
A display of His splendor all can see

Today, I want to encourage you to focus on the beauty that is around you now and the beauty that is to come.  Trust in the Lord’s strength instead of giving in to your fear.  Let His peace wash over you today.  He wants to use this time to make something beautiful and lasting.  He wants to grow your faith. He wants you to hand over the ashes in your life and give Him the opportunity to give you something even more beautiful than you could have ever imagined!