Beauty for ashes: A message of hope from a Ukiah pastor
Our identical twin sons were born on the anniversary of my father's tragic and premature death — the two events separated by 19 years. What had been a sad annual remembrance became, and still is, a positive, even joyful date, as we celebrate our sons' birthday on Nov. 8 each year.
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah says, “He (God) has sent me to comfort all who mourn, to give them beauty for ashes; the oil of joy instead of grief; the garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:2, 3).
Dear friend, as you read this, do you have a “spirit of heaviness”? If you do, you're not alone. Many millions are carrying heavy burdens, some almost impossible to bear — anxiety and worry, often about the future, frequently about money; regret, remorse and selfblame about the past; family troubles and broken relationships; domestic abuse, sometimes violent; depression, loneliness and suicidal thoughts; addiction of some kind; and the list goes on.
A psychiatrist was addressing a group of us about PTSD. He said, “It's okay to feel not okay.” I've always remembered that helpful comment.
Many folk don't give themselves permission to feel “not okay.” They wear the brave “okay” mask all the time and find it hard to drop the mask, seek a trusted friend or skilled counsellor, and let their true feelings out.
We often hear the old slogan, “A problem shared is a problem halved.” This means that we need to find someone with a listening ear — who is willing to invest time in us and truly hear what's on our hearts or causing such “heaviness of spirit.”
“Time is the currency of communication.” This means that for our part, we also need to listen to others and encourage them, especially if we've had to face similar challenges. The philosopher Socrates said this was the reason we have two ears and one mouth — to speak less and listen more. To listen actively and intensely to another is a skill we can learn, and it improves with practice and self-discipline.
Others will bless you for being a good listener, an angel of mercy! They'll say, “I feel much better because I spoke to XYZ!” You too will feel better if you share what's on your mind and in your soul with someone in whom you can confide.
It's sometimes said, “People (especially young people) don't need advice as much as they need someone prepared to listen to them.”
Could this be a key in solving one of the nation's worst problems: the astonishingly high rate of adolescent suicide?
Suicide happens when people feel there's no hope. They feel that no one understands them or is prepared to listen. Could we perhaps be the means of saving a young person's life by offering them the hope that's in God's Word — the comfort, beauty, joy and praise the prophet writes about — and by being an active, compassionate listener?
If there are young people who'd like someone to talk to, we could refer them to, say, THE YOUTH PROJECT INC., where help is available. The phone number is (678) 360-3404. The address is: 900 5th Ave., New Kensington, PA 15068. The website is INFO@THEYOUTHPROJECTINC.ORG
Contact them — and help will come!.
So, let's reach out! If we need help, let's reach out! If we can offer help, let's reach out!
Sadly, I'll depart Ukiah soon, at the end of my contract. My prayer for you is that Jesus, the Prince of Peace and Light of the World, will lift any spirit of heaviness you might have, and give you beauty for ashes.
God bless you.