When you think you “deserve” your messy life

Maybe this is one of those really cool verses you’re sure isn’t for you. You decide it’s a promise for her… or them.

But not for you.

Because when you glance at life and see all its mess … all the mistakes and bad choices… the abuse and tarnishing… you think, “I so deserve the ashes.”

And rather than ask God for the crown that signifies healing and restoration, you sit in the ashes of your story scribbling out the lies you believe about yourself:

… failure

… unlovable

… unacceptable

… worthless

… insignificant

… less than

And as much as you want to believe that kind of divine exchange is for real – for you – you just can’t.

But friend, it is.

I’ve seen this verse in action in my own life countless times. But the most dramatic is the story of how God restored my marriage which was painfully past the point of human restoration.

We were literally hours away from blowing up our marriage by separating. And then God did something absolutely amazing.

I unpacked that very personal story with my friend Lisa. Click the graphic to listen in.

What about you, sweet friend?

Are you sitting in the ashes of a painful circumstance? Has someone singed the edges of your heart with hurtful words or actions? Have you been charred by dysfunction, discouragement or disappointment?

Truth is, living in the ashes is easy. It’s that victim-mentality that keeps you tangled. It’s comfortable. It’s “normal”.  It’s familiar.

But you’ll find yourself hopeless… joyless… lifeless.

Maybe it’s time to dust off the ashes.