Beauty for Ashes: The Healing Path of Forgiveness

Kristin M. Yee

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Takeaways:

1 Samuel 25 tells a story of David, the future king of Israel. He and and his men watched over the flocks and servants of a wealthy man named Nabal. When David sent men to Nabal to ask for provisions, Nabal refused. Offended, David prepared his men to go up against Nabal. A servant told Abigail, Nabal's wife, what was about to happen. Abigail quickly gathered the requested provisions and set off to intercept David and his men.

When Abigail came upon David, she took on Nabal's trespass and begged David to accept the provisions she had brought and refrain from shedding any blood. Abigain and David departed in peace. Abigail can be seen as a symbol of Jesus Christ. "Through His atoning sacrifice, He can release us from the sin and weight of a warring heart and provide us with the sustenance we need."

Christ took our sins upon himself and made a way for us to "let go of a vengeful heart" through forgiveness. Forgiveness "can be one of the most difficult things we ever do and one of the most divine things we ever experience." 

The Lord requires us to forgive "for our own good," but does not require us to do it without "His help, His love, His understanding." Our covenants give us the strengthening power, guidance, and help we need to forgive and be forgiven.

Quote: "We are not left to deal with the consequences of others’ actions on our own; we too can be made whole and given the chance to be saved from the weight of a warring heart and any actions that may follow." - Kristin M. Yee

"Over the years and in my efforts to find peace and healing on the path of forgiveness, I came to realize in a profound way that the same Son of God who atoned for my sins is the same Redeemer who will also save those who have deeply hurt me."

We can choose not to perpetuate unhealthy patterns or relationships in our own circles. "To give what you have been denied is a powerful part of divine healing possible through faith in Jesus Christ."

Joseph of Egypt lived a life of ashes, but through the Savior, his life became "beauty for ashes."

Questions to Ponder:

What are the "ashes" in your life? How can you use Christ's power to create "beauty" from those ashes?

Do you have a "heart at war" with anyone in your life? How does a heart at war feel? How does it affect you? Are you open to turning that warring heart over to the Savior and allowing Him to heal you?

Further Study: 

D&C 64:10; Genesis 45:5,8; 1 Samuel 25; Isaiah 61:3; Luke 23:34; Old Testament Seminary Student Material, 449–50; Russell M. Nelson, “Four Gifts That Jesus Christ Offers to You” (First Presidency’s Christmas devotional, Dec. 7, 2018), broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.