Beauty for Ashes: How Pain Can Lead to Purpose
Whew, chile! When I tell y’all the last 3.5 years have been a whirlwind roller coaster, I mean crazy. And me, being who I am, was doing everything I could to keep swimming—making sure I didn’t sink. I kept busy, trying to distract my mind, but the truth? None of it actually felt good. It was all just a mask for the pain.
I kept telling myself: Smile, Kisha. If you look good, you’ll feel good. But that statement? Not entirely true.
It’s Okay to NOT Be Okay
One day, I finally stopped and admitted to myself: "It’s okay to not be okay." That’s exactly what Papa (God) is for. He’s the One we run to, the One who holds us when we don’t have the strength to hold ourselves.
And let me tell you—I hit a breaking point. It was a strange place for me because I’ve always been a busy body. But suddenly, everything I was doing wasn’t working. None of it brought me peace.
Then I had a conversation with my therapist, and in that moment, I realized something powerful.
The Thing That Felt Like "Nothing" Was Everything
I told my therapist, “I feel like I’m not doing anything. I have nothing to do.” But when I stopped to really think about what I loved doing most, it was reading and sharing God’s Word. It was talking about His goodness, His grace, and His mercy.
That was my purpose. And guess what? I was already walking in it.
Right then and there, my heart leaped for joy! Because in the middle of my pain, God was still using me. He already had a plan. He was taking my ashes and turning them into beauty. He was transforming my pain into purpose.
God Will Trade Your Ashes for Beauty
Isaiah 61:3 tells us that God gives us "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."
No matter how broken we feel, God restores.
No matter how lost we are, God redirects.
No matter how painful our story is, God redeems.
Romans 8:28 reminds us:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Psalms 34:18 says:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
If you’re in a season of pain, trust that God has a plan. He is trading your ashes for beauty. He is working all things together for your good.
Let God Be Your Soft Place to Land
I know it’s hard, but lean into Him.
Let His love be your comfort.
Let His presence be your peace.
Watch how He turns your pain into purpose.
He did it for me, and He will do it for you.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us that our pain is not in vain. Even in our brokenness, You are working behind the scenes, turning our suffering into something beautiful. Lord, help us to trust You in the process, even when we don’t understand.
When we feel lost, be our guide. When we feel weak, be our strength. Remind us that You are close to the brokenhearted and that You are using every tear, every trial, and every struggle for a greater purpose.
We surrender our pain to You and ask You to trade our ashes for beauty, just as You have promised.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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