The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 24
Beauty, Joy & Praise Are Yours for the Taking!
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
I was sexually abused as a child. I never mentioned it to anyone at the time because I was afraid that no one would have believed me and I never trusted anyone. I thought that it was all a bad dream but having recurring nightmares and flashbacks, I remembered the abuse. Therefore, I was very confused and overwhelmed.
I blamed myself for the abuse. I believed that because I didn’t do anything to stop it and was aroused during the abuse, it meant that I wanted it to happen. For that reason, I felt ashamed, guilty and unclean. As a result, I took regular long bathes washing from head to toe, and was obsessed with purging, trying to be clean but to no avail. I also felt guilty for not telling anyone when it happened.
Additionally, when I was a teenager I was a member of the youth choir in the Church I attended. The Pastor’s wife was the leader of the choir. She often encouraged us as youths to keep ourselves pure until we are married so she told us girls, that “the best gift a young lady can give to her husband on their wedding night is her virginity”.
Well, because I knew that I was sexually abused as a child, I told myself that I don’t have that precious gift of my virginity to give to a husband so I decided then and there that I will not get married. I felt that I did not deserve to be married. After all, who young man would want to marry a ruined like me? Therefore, I felt cheated, inferior and worthless. I grieved the loss of my virginity to child sexual abuse as though I had lost a loved one to death. Every time the Pastor’s wife reminded us that “the best gift a young lady can give to her husband on their wedding night is her virginity”, the more I mourned. Hence, every time a young man showed interest in me, even if I liked him, I would remember what we were told by the Pastor’s wife and I would retreat. The thought of not having such precious gift to give to a husband due to the loss of my virginity to child sexual abuse tormented me for years and I could not stop mourning. Therefore, I had no joy. This I believe was the impetus for the depression, anxiety and the other mental disorders that I suffered.
What have you lost that is causing you to lose your joy and be in a perpetual state of mourning, depression and anxiety?
I have had to claim Isaiah 61:3 for myself. I believe it is also applicable to you. It states, “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”.
Friends, God wants to give you the following: 1) Beauty for ashes: “Beauty” which depicts a diadem, that is, a jewelled crown or headband worn as a symbol of sovereignty or the authority or dignity symbolized by a crown, or a garland, that is a wreath of flowers and leaves, worn on the head or hung as a decoration, is given instead of the ashes that is placed on the mourner’s head. For me, the ashes on my head would be all the aforementioned negative emotions I experienced and all the lies of the devil that I believed about myself. What are the ashes on your head? You don’t have to carry them anymore. Today you can trade them for your crown of dignity and authority, or your wreath of flowers and leaves.
2) The oil of joy for mourning: Your Daddy wants to anoint your head with oil (Psalm 23:5) of joy in order to eradicate your despondency. Joy is one of the facets of the fruit of the Spirit that Paul mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…” Hence, Joy is not contingent on your circumstances nor your environment. Joy comes only from the Holy Spirit and springs out of your soul.
3) The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness: God wants you to be clothed with an attitude of praise which will replace the spirit of heaviness or a failing spirit, smoke, or dimly burning life.
When you receive your crown of dignity and authority for ashes; you are anointed with the oil of joy for your grief, and you are clothed with the attitude of praise instead of having a dimly burning life, then you will be called trees of righteousness or oak trees or evergreen trees, in which you will continuously flourish, and your Heavenly Father will be glorified.
Shalom!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father You are my Lord and King and I worship You. Thank You for giving me a crown of dignity and authority for ashes; anointing me with the oil of joy for my grief, and clothing me with the attitude of praise instead of my having a dimly burning life. I declare that I am called trees of righteousness or oak trees or evergreen trees, in which I continuously flourish, and my Heavenly Father is glorified. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name with thanksgiving. Amen!
