Beauty From Ashes: Mike E.
Then I said, āHere I am, I have comeāit is written about me in the scroll.” Psalm 40:7
America has been emotionally traumatized by the COVID-19 pandemic, as has the rest of the world. Some mightĀ argue also from the political turmoil of the last several years. Traumatic stress is now woven throughout our society. Many will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a hellish mental disorder, and will require medical care.Ā
What used to be a problem mostly believed to affect militaryĀ combat veterans, we now know through extensive scientific research, can affect any person who experiences heavy emotional trauma. Domestic violence victims, child abuse victims, victims of sexual assault, (both adults and children), the spiritually abused, persons suffering terrible loss through natural disasters such as hurricanes and fires, and those affected by the unexpected or violent death of loved ones.
Might this be a new epidemic? A result of the ongoing traumatization of nearly the entire world through the pandemic and ongoing strife, war and division?
Think ofĀ medical personnel, many who daily must deal with the tragic consequences of working beyond hope to save a life, only to watch that person pass into eternity alone, family not present. The emotional toll isĀ unimaginable.
Is there anything that is able to bring healing to things this horrible? Anything that can shine light into the darkness of a childhood sexual abuse victim’s murky shadows? Or a rape victimās? Or an emotionally shattered nurse in a COVID unit?Ā
While psychiatric disorders can be successfully treated medically, how does one bring healing to the deep scars and wounds of the soul?
Only One can do this. The prophets of old prophesied of One to come, several hundreds of years before a man appeared in Israel known as Jesus of Nazareth. In fact, the book of the prophet Isaiah is believed to have been written some 700 years before Jesus lived. These Bible verses are a prophecy of Christ through the prophet Isaiah.Ā
In the gospel of Luke, we read Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth, His hometown. He was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He read this passage: Isaiah 63:1-2a āThe Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,to proclaim the year of the LORDās favor. Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.Ā He began by saying to them,āToday this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”” (Luke 4:18-20).Ā
Thatās so glorious in itself, but the Isaiah passage goes on, āand the day of vengeance of our God. (Justice!) To comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.āĀ
I find that passage so incredibly sublimely beautiful. And thatās exactly what Messiah does for those who will believe. Beauty from ashes. At the time Isaiah wrote this prophecy in ancient Israel, people would put ashes on their heads as a visible sign of grief and mourning. So the prophet is saying the Messiah can take even the worst grief, the most horrible of sadnesses, and bring beauty from them, and thus bring glory to God.
What does this mean for victims of childhood sexual abuse and other types of emotional trauma? It means Heās always there. No matter what. And if one will reach out and accept His free gift of grace, thereās no doubt He takes what the evil one meant for destruction and turns it into something beautiful.Ā
It’s important to note itās not the abuse or other trauma He turns into beauty. The abuse and trauma will always be ugly, twisted and gnarly. And the damage from the trauma remains for many. He doesn’t always take it completely away. There are biological and physiological changes that take place in a traumatized person’s brain and central nervous system, and sometimes God chooses not to heal this.
But it is the soul of the traumatized person He turns into something beautiful. Something that will show God’s glory.
An oak tree is one of the strongest trees that exist. And the prophet says the person who trusts in Christ will be called an “oak of righteousness” planted by God Himself to show His glory.Ā
I believe it will be invaluable for the Church of Christ to understand these truths in the months and years ahead. Both the scientific truth of the effects of trauma, but also the truth of Messiahās redeeming spiritual power, in order to effectively minister to these wounded souls.
One thing to add. What I am NOT saying. I am NOT saying, “come to Christ and all your pain and suffering will cease.” A very cursory look at Scripture will show following Him involves suffering. Sometimes quite intense suffering. The suffering of the excruciating pain of death on a cross. It isn’t all kittens (sorry Cat Whisperer š ) and roses.Ā As a former pastor of mine once said, (probably quoting someone else–just sayinā..) “Life is hard. But God is good.” Beauty from ashes, indeed.
Beauty for ashes? YES
ive seen it, but the hard part is God’s timing – the wait, maintaining The Faith
Thank you for these good words, Michael
Good thoughts, Mike E.
And thanks for adding the last paragraph as well…..
La vie est dur, mais Dieu est bon.
Is there a message for us in the story of the exodus, the wait, the march around Jericho? Do what, Lord? Blow horns? š²
Didn’t intend to leave Mike out of my thank you – amen Mike
I believe that by faith, we called-out ones, can participate in the wondrous healing of the pain, animosity and distrust that surrounds us in our nation. We do not have to wait for 40 years to extend kindness to others now or to hope for the good to come in the future. Our faith needs to be in the awesome loving-kindness of God, not in our efforts alone which ebb and flow according to our moods and the external events of the present.
Thank you, Mike E. for helping us rightfully focus our attention on our Lord and Savior who indeed has come to us with healing in His wings.
Em..”Beauty for ashes? YES
ive seen it, but the hard part is Godās timing ā the wait, maintaining The Faith” How very true is that statement. Waiting for deliverance I think is where the suffering comes in. Being afflicted by the emotional trauma, as I said, is sometimes, nearly hellish, or what I imagine hell may be like. “Pick up your cross and follow Me.” The glorious thing about carrying our cross is we enter into the “fellowship of His sufferings.” And I think that is something very special.
Owen..thank you and especially for sending me to Google translate. š
Mike, did Owen say that life is hard, but God is good?
Funny story maybe
One time i had reason to call eastern Canada regarding some software.. She answered in French, so i very slowly responded in English. She then switched to English mimicking my very slooow speech. . Fortunately we both saw the humor….
Mike – no problem! That’s from an old song by Billy Sprague.
(Plus, we Canadians like to throw in a little french now and then….)
Nancy–I do agree that we as believers have a big role to play in bringing Christ’s healing power and love to the division in our nation. But will we? That’s the big “we’ll see.” Judging from the very serious division that is presently occurring within the American church right now given her (in my opinion) inordinate fascination with politics, I suspect we may be in for more of the same, or, God forbid, even worse division.
Owen..See, I knew my pastor stole it from somewhere! Haha. Yes, well, I must tell you I needed an ESC (Emotional Support Canadian) this election season and Kate Bowler has been that for me. So hats off to you neighbors to the North!
Mike E.
I guess I was pointing out our options as Christians, to be part of the healing, rather than part of the wounding. I agree that the Church is the first in line for the need to heal before we can reach out to others with any believable promises of God’s healing and salvation. But at least SOME of us can reach out as opportunity presents, whether or not our efforts are rejected. There’s that dog-gone free will again…
I agree with Mike and Nancy, but…..
My conundrum is… How do we stand without compromising what we know of God? Our Lord engaged in polite dialog, but His uncompromising stand? We know where that led. Man may have inflicted his evil, but God’s plan was victory for all who’d respond in acceptance….. much to ponder. again .š thanks
Every time i see an Owen post, it reminds me of the grandson of my dearest friends. As a toddler he excitedly told them, “I can write my name. Wanna see?” O 1
Mike, I’ve been an ESC to several of our American friends this year, actually… š My wife is American, and we’ve been shocked and saddened by so much going on in the US. We feel pretty spoiled up here right now….
I keep trying to find time to read Kate, but my online times tend to be short.
Em – I’ll take that as a compliment, it’s like the “Dad Jokes” my family groans at when I make them. Maybe I should change my screen name… š
No, Owen, keep the correct spelling. LOL
Thanks Mike E…a good word for all š
Nancy H…āI guess I was pointing out our options as Christians, to be part of the healing, rather than part of the woundingā Ah yes, may that be our prayer…that we might be healers and not wounders..Amen and amen.
Linnea…ā¤ļø Thank you!