Ashes & Altars: Weekly Inspiration

Theme:

"He makes beauty from the ashes… but sometimes, we still smell like smoke while we worship."

There are pieces of your life that didn’t survive the fire.
Dreams. Health. Friendships. Whole seasons that went up in smoke.

But you did.
You survived.

The altar isn’t just built on victories—sometimes it’s built on broken pieces.
Tears. Diagnoses. Quiet prayers when hope felt too heavy to carry.

You’ve lost things you can never get back.
You’ve been through illnesses that rewrote your body and rewrote your plans.
You’ve had days where survival itself was the offering.

And yet — here you are.

Still worshiping.
Still believing.
Still building something beautiful out of everything the enemy tried to burn down.

This week, let’s honor the ashes — but build the altar higher.

You don’t have to hide what didn’t make it through the fire.
God will use even that.

Journal Prompts for the Week:

Monday – Reflect:
What in my life feels like ashes right now?
Write honestly about what feels lost, broken, or burned down.

Tuesday – Remember:
What moments has God already redeemed in my past?
List memories where He brought something beautiful out of brokenness.

Wednesday – Release:
What am I still mourning that I need to lay at the altar?
Write a letter to God giving Him permission to heal what still hurts.

Thursday – Rebuild:
What small step of faith can I take this week to start rebuilding?
It could be a prayer, a phone call, a dream you revisit, or a boundary you set.

Friday – Worship:
What is my “altar offering” today?
Maybe it’s your honesty. Maybe it’s gratitude in pain. Maybe it’s just showing up.

Saturday – Rest:
Where can I stop striving and just trust God’s hand over the ruins?
Write a few sentences releasing the need to "fix" and choosing to rest.

Sunday – Rise:
What new beauty is God growing out of my ashes?
Declare it even if you don’t fully see it yet.

Scripture for the Week:

"To all who mourn… He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair."
— Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

NOW GO FIND THE GOOD THIS WEEK. SPEAK YOUR WEEK INTO EXISTENCE!!