Beauty for Ashes
Article written by Heather Doolittle
Have you ever prayed over something you deeply wanted—something you worked hard for and truly believed was God’s will—only to see it fall apart anyway?
I have. More than once, actually. And each time, I’ve been left wondering: Why?
Was I mistaken about God’s direction? Did I jump ahead of His timing? Did I give up too soon?
Those questions haunted me, especially when I had sought God’s guidance, taken faithful steps, and believed with all my heart that I was aligned with His will. Still, the outcome wasn’t what I hoped for. And I needed answers.
Romans 8:28 tells us, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (NKJV)
People often quote the first half of this verse, but the second half—“called according to His purpose”—is just as important. God is not a vending machine, dispensing blessings at the push of a button. He’s a loving Father, and His gifts are designed to move us forward in His plan, not just fulfill our own.
So what happens when our desires don’t come to pass, even when we think we’re following Him?
This question led me to reflect on the lives of Israel’s early kings—Saul, Solomon, and David. All three held power. All three had moments of strength and moments of failure. But their stories didn’t unfold in the same way.
Saul and Solomon both started well but gradually drifted. When they needed God, they sought Him. But once their lives were comfortable, they became self-reliant—and that’s when their downfalls began.
David’s story was different. His journey to the throne was marked by hardship: he was overlooked, hunted, betrayed. Yet through it all, he stayed close to God. Even in failure, he repented and returned. David didn’t just desire the crown—he desired God's presence. That made all the difference.
What struck me most was this: David’s struggles weren’t delays or detours. They were essential. The years of pain and waiting shaped his character, deepened his dependence, and refined his leadership. Had his rise been quicker or easier, he may not have become the kind of king who could lead Israel into its greatest era.
Sometimes, the “no” or “not yet” we receive from God isn’t punishment—it’s preparation.
Isaiah 61:3 contains one of the most beautiful promises in Scripture: “He will give them a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.” (NLT)
But notice—this is an exchange. God doesn’t offer beauty in addition to our ashes; He offers beauty in place of them. The ashes represent what once held value but has now been reduced to ruin. And God says, Bring Me even that.
It’s not that your effort didn’t matter. It’s that God has something better in mind, and He’s asking you to trust Him enough to trade.
So if you're standing in a pile of ashes today, don’t despair. Those ashes are not the end of your story. They are the very thing God can use to craft something beautiful. Hold them out to Him and wait for the exchange.
