As I celebrate 14 years of marriage with my husband, I can't help but to think about the time that I fell to my knees praying that we would be here one day…
…I remember that moment so vividly.
I was exhausted. I had been trying to keep it all together…trying to keep myself sane while creating a sense of stability for our then toddler. But, I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn’t pretend that my whole world wasn’t falling apart, because the truth is that it was…
Mike and I got married very young. He was 22 and I was 20. We were best friends…we were in love. But somewhere along the way, things just stopped clicking. He was changing, and I was changing. But the problem is that instead of changing together, we grew further and further apart. Before we knew it…we were lost….and we had no idea how to make it back to each other. As a matter of fact, Mike had no intention of even trying. He had thrown in the towel, and my hope was waning because of it.
How could God save my marriage when my husband had no desire to see it healed?
As I fell to my knees that night, I used the last bit of hope…the last bit of faith that I had. I pleaded with God to work a miracle and save my marriage. And He responded. He said that if I gave my marriage over to Him…if I placed all of my trust in Him…He would do it.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)
Hearing the Lord’s voice that night strengthened me to have hope and faith in the middle of my impossible situation. But, I will never forget the reason He gave me for restoring my marriage. He said that He would do it so that my testimony would be a beacon of hope for someone else.
He did everything He said he would do. He did far beyond what I believed He could do. And so, here I am…in a place of victory. Allow my testimony to encourage you today…
The Lord wants to turn your ashes into a beautiful testimony.
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. (Isaiah 61:3 NLT)
This is good news…maybe you are in a place of despair right now. Maybe it feels like all hope is lost. But, your Father has good things planned for you and your situation. He wants to give you beauty for your ashes…praise for your despair… and joy for your mourning. Your Father will not leave you where you are. If you place your trust in Him…He will bring beauty from your situation.
Your ashes are a testimony waiting to happen.
That place that feels dark and dead is the breeding ground of the testimony that God wants you to share with others. Please understand that I am not saying this because I’ve heard it somewhere. I’m not saying this because it sounds good. I am saying this because I have lived it…in fact, I am living it right now.
My entire testimony springs from the deepest darkest places of my life. The only reason I can shout about the healing of the Lord is because I have experienced it.
What will your testimony be about one day?
Will it be about how God healed you from a sickness or disease? Will it be about how He restored a broken relationship? Will it be about how he healed your broken heart? Or maybe it will be about how He brought you out of darkness into His marvelous light. I know you hate this place…I know you’d rather be anywhere else…but your destiny deepens on you being right here, right now. So don’t give up…
There’s someone depending on your victory.
There’s someone waiting for you to win so that you can show them how to win…so that you can show them that winning is even possible. Sometimes our misfortunes cause us to believe that we lack value…that we have nothing left to offer to those around us. But, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your life has value beyond what you can imagine…beyond what you can even comprehend. In fact, your Father formed you with this value, this purpose, in mind.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
When we see ashes, God sees beauty.
Yes, this may be the darkest season of your life. And yes, it may feel as if you have been waiting and waiting on God. But, I want you to know that this season isn’t lost. God isn’t sitting in heaven taking His time just for the heck of it. No…He is right there with you…and He’s cheering you on because He knows the beauty that will form from each and every tear.
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalms 56:8 NLT)
He wants you to keep walking towards His voice, to keep believing in His promise, so that you can experience the purpose that He has for you.
Your Father is a God of healing. He is a God of redemption. He is a God of restoration. But He is also a God of resurrection. Don’t be intimidated by the mountain that you’re facing. Don’t be discouraged because you see the ashes forming around you. Nothing is impossible for your God. He will move your mountain. He will beautify your situation. All you have to do is place your trust in Him. As you continue to walk the path that He has for you, His plan will become clearer and clearer, and your purpose will be revealed. So don’t give up…don’t give in…wait on Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing me, thank you for giving me purpose, and thank you for your unfailing love. Today, I have been reminded that nothing is impossible for you. I have been reminded that no matter how dead my situation seems, you can bring beauty from it. In fact, that is your plan. So today Father, I am making the decision to renew my trust in you. I will trust in you in the middle of this storm…I will trust you in the middle of this valley…because I know that this is not the end. I believe that you have a plan to turn this situation around. I believe that you have a plan to bring beauty from my ashes, so that my life will glorify you. I believe that you are with me. I believe that you are for me. And I believe that you are working every bit of my situation for my good. I love you, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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