Beauty for Ashes: Turning Your Pain into Purpose

When Pain Feels Pointless

Let’s be honest.
There’s a moment after heartbreak when you start asking, “What was the point of all this?”

You prayed. You gave your all. You believed for forever…
And yet, here you are—picking up pieces you never imagined would break.

I remember lying in bed after my divorce thinking:
“This wasn’t supposed to be my story.”
And for a long time, I didn’t want it to be.
But slowly, painfully, beautifully—God started rewriting it.

God Doesn’t Waste Anything

When the Word says He gives “beauty for ashes,” it’s not a metaphor for cute Instagram captions.
It’s a promise.

“He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.” — Isaiah 61:3

The ashes of my marriage became the foundation of my ministry.
The tears that soaked my pillow became prayers for other women.
And the silence I once feared turned into stillness where I heard God whisper,
“I’m still here. And I’m not done with you.”

How to Start Finding Purpose in the Pain

Purpose doesn’t mean launching a business or writing a book tomorrow.
It means letting God show you how even this chapter fits into the whole story.

Here are a few ways to begin that journey:

🔎 1. Pay attention to what tugs at your heart

What breaks your heart now that you’ve been through this?
Who are you drawn to help?
There’s often purpose in that pull.

🗣️ 2. Share your story with someone who needs it

I used to think I needed to be “healed” to help others.
Nope.
God uses real, not perfect.
Start with one conversation.

📝 3. Journal this question: What has this taught me about myself? About God?

Even if you don’t have answers yet, asking opens the door for meaning to emerge.

💬 My Own Ashes-to-Beauty Moment

You know one of the wildest things?
The very story I was ashamed of—the brokenness, the divorce, the pain—became the thing that opened the most doors in ministry.

Because when I started telling the truth?
Other women started breathing easier.
Healing didn’t feel so lonely anymore.
And suddenly, I realized… my pain had purpose.

And yours does too.

💼 Want Help Finding That Purpose?

If you're ready to take what you’ve been through and turn it into something meaningful—but don’t know where to begin—I’d love to invite you to visit my site where you’ll find a ton of free stuff to help you.

Together, we’ll:

• Reflect on your healing journey

• Identify what makes your heart come alive again

• Take the fun and helpful quiz
  
  

🛒 Step into your next chapter with lots of resources to help you »

💛 A Simple Reflection Exercise

Write down:
“What in my story could help another woman right now?”

Just one small piece.
Then pray: “God, show me how to use this.”

You don’t need a platform. Just willingness.
Your scars might be someone else’s survival guide.