The Beautiful Way God Has with Brokenness

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3

He lost his mom in a tragic attack. But his response revealed one of the mysteries of God.

Chris was in college when his world was ripped apart by a horrific act of violence. His mother was killed in a racially motivated shooting as she worshipped in church. Chris says, “I had to tell the news to my little brother … to my little sister. Our lives would never be the same.”[1] But Chris didn’t respond with anger. He publicly chose forgiveness, declaring, “Love is stronger than hate.” Now a motivational speaker and author, Chris uses his faith in Christ to spread a message of unity, resilience, and racial reconciliation, turning the brokenness and deep pain into a powerful testimony of love and healing.

How does good ever come from violence, broken relationships, abuse or war? This is one of the most marvelous mysteries of God—He isn’t limited by the brokenness we experience. He doesn’t need perfect beginnings to create wonderful endings. God steps right into our mess, into the pain, the regret, the failure, and He redeems it. The Bible says He gives crowns of beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

Today, you have an invitation to bring the brokenness of your life to God—everything that’s happened to you: the parts of your story you’re not proud of, the wounds that seem too deep to heal. God isn’t the author of the pain in our lives—pain comes from human sin and our broken world. But God is the author of hope and the redeemer of broken things. He declares: “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). He’s inviting you to trust Him, to place your broken pieces in His hands and watch as He creates beauty.

[1] Chris Singleton on Faith, Race, and Forgiveness. YouTube, uploaded by BJU Today, 9 Oct. 2020, https://youtu.be/b9-FXEj4avM. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.