Beauty from Ashes

Sometimes I read things in the bible and wonder.. why did they do that?  I look at the bottom of the page of my study bible to see if there is a description and if there isn't, that's all the farther I go.  Well... why??  Laziness, I suppose.  With all of the resources at my fingertips... I should inquire more.  That is something I am going to change.


I'm so glad I am going through this bible study!  I am learning so much more about Christ, about what God wants me to know about Him and so much more about myself that I didn't know.


Last week we learned about Beauty from Ashes...     Have you heard or read of people putting ashes on themselves in the bible?  "Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing.  She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went."  2 Samuel 13:19  There are many examples throughout the bible of people putting ashes on their heads.  It symbolizes mourning.  Tamar's story is horrifying.  Thankfully mine is not.  I can learn from this and know that I do not ever want to be caught in such a stronghold that I am desolate, like Tamar was.  She never got out of the stronghold.  Satan had that hold on her.  


God wants us to have a full, happy life in Him.   Satan tries to pull us down by making us believe that we are ugly and not worthy of all the love and goodness God has for us!   


God wants me to look in the mirror - and see what He sees.  I am beautiful!!  You are too.  : )