karencochran0712@gmail.com 
‘To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3).
A few years ago, I was broken before the Lord. I had recently lost my Dog, who I loved very much. But this grief in my heart did not seem normal. One day, on bended knee, I cried out to God. It seemed He was very far away from me. Through my grief, Jesus came to me with a mirror. I saw very clearly all the ways I was not like Him. And how shame, guilt, and my flesh were in control. My sinful flesh had crucified Jesus right out of my life (Romans 8:7-8). It was very heartbreaking, and I sobbed, asking God, where is Jesus?
I lived through much pain as a child. Many things a child should never have to endure. There was cult-like behavior and sexual abuse (raped hundreds of times). And when I exposed the truth, my family did not believe me. And I was kicked out. For many years, I stuffed it all. Right at this moment with the Lord, it was time to step into the Red Sea. Surrender it all. Would the waves swallow me up? Moses told the Israelites that they must take the step of faith. God would fight for them, but they could not stand still (Exodus 14:13-15). Ok, Lord, Lord done fighting for myself. I give up all control. Do with me what you will. Since that time, I have been in the valley of Baca (Psalm 84:60). The Lord has been stripping me (Jer 1:10). More of Him, less of me (John 3:30) ! We are called to go down low to be raised in His resurrection life (Is 2:17, Romans 6). I did not seek out counseling or medicines, but knew all I needed to do was touch the hem of Jesus’ robe and be healed.
Because of much shame, it has been very difficult to believe the Father of heaven loves me. 1 John 4:16 says we can know the love of God, but we also must believe it in our hearts. But slowly God is planting His love for me deep into my very soul.
One day, as I was reading the Bible, I came to Isaiah 61:3. And boom! I knew this was exactly what Jesus had been doing in my heart. And unbeknownst to me. He was replacing my sorrow covering me with the robe of righteousness, and adorning me with the garments of salvation, and making me white and clean. A pure and spotless bride fit for my master’s use. One of the five wise Virgins. And giving me the oil of joy, for all my pain. Our sorrow can be replaced with shouts of praise for our Lord! Lord, the healer, wants to make us whole, spirit, soul, and body (1 Thes 5:23). Through the process, we become trees of righteousness. Rooted, grounded, and firmly planted in Christ! Why does He heal us? Is it all for us? No! It is so that He can be glorified!! And we can then comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Cor 1:4). Go to the feet of Jesus today and throw off your ashes, and let the Lord cleanse them with the oil of joy! He is the real joy giver!
