What Ashes Do You Carry?

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isa 61:1-3 (KJV)

What ashes do you carry?

Ashes are the end product of something that has been destroyed by fire. So, what do I mean when I talk about the ashes in your life?

Statistically, it is safe to say that if you are reading this post, you have suffered abuse of some sort, at some time in your life. You may have been emotionally, verbally, physically, or sexually abused by a parent or caregiver. You may have suffered neglect; a failure on the part of your caregiver to supply your basic emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. You may have been a victim of a violent crime such as rape. You may have been abused in a bad relationship of your own choosing. Hurting people hurt people…and there are a LOT of hurting people out there.

When you are hurt by others, a part of your life is destroyed…and turned to ashes. You may react to that destruction in many ways.

• anger
• grief
• hopelessness
• depression
• shame
• guilt
• regret
• anxiety

You recognize these emotions. These reactions to abuse and neglect can burn your heart to cinder and ash. Often, like me, you may hold on to those ashes far longer than needed.

We just can’t help it sometimes. That human tendency toward self-pity is just too strong. Or perhaps, we’ve never been shown another alternative. Well, I’m here to tell you that there is an alternative. And like many of the most important things in life, it’s simple, but it isn’t easy.

Just give it up.

I know, that sounds too simple. I know it is difficult to do. But, it can be done. I am living proof. And you most certainly have given some of those ashes to God in the past.

How do you give those ashes over to God?

I have known of a few people who had a miraculous encounter with God and were forever changed right there on the spot. But, this is the exception rather than the rule.

The rest of us must make a conscious decision to hand over those ashes. You have to acknowledge that the ashes are there and exactly what they represent. You have to take them out, scoop them up in your hand, and give them to God. You do that by journaling, or sharing with a trusted friend, or working with a counselor…or through prayer which is simply talking with God. You cannot change what you do not acknowledge.

And, most of us do this gradually over a period of time. I know for me, I have had crisis points in my life when I have scooped up a big handful of ashes and given them to God. But, mostly, I give him a little pinch here and a little pinch there. I’m stingy with them. I don’t know why.

But God is faithful. He gives me so much beauty in exchange for my ashes. He makes a great exchange.

Today, why don’t you take some time to sit down and think about the ashes that you are carrying in your life. Write down your thoughts in a journal; or talk to a friend; or talk to the greatest Friend of all. Scoop up some of those ashes and exchange them for His beauty.