By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
What happens if you leave a coat in the Dead Sea? This is what Sigalit Landau, an Israeli artist wanted to find out. She left a black dress for 3 months in the salt water of the Dead Sea. The result? Salt crystals transformed the dress from a “mourning dress” to a “wedding dress”.
During situations of loss, disillusionment and disappointment in our lives, we often experience moments in which we want to tear off our clothes and shave our heads and then putting on black mourning clothes. The intense emotions fill us with grief, leaving us passive and even depressed.
However, with God, there is always hope. He can change our situation. In Jeremiah 31:13, we read: “For I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and give them joy rather than sorrow.” In Psalm 30: 5 is written: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” And in Psalm 30: 12-13 writes the Psalmist: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”
The process in which a mourning dress is changed into festive clothes, takes time. During this season it at times feels as if we are “under the water”. However, this is where God uses His salt to heal our wounds. His grace and love covers us while salt crystals turn our mourning dress into a wedding gown everyone will marvel at.
What is the painful situation that you have experienced? A divorce, death of a loved one, unfair treatment in the workplace? Did someone betray your trust or did a family member or friend hurt you? If it is difficult to breathe and process the feelings, it might be because you are “under water”. Let us trust God to bring the healing you need. He is able to turn our mourning into dancing and fill us with unspeakable joy so we can say like the Psalmist: “O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” God bless.
Father God, thank You that You can turn any dark situation around and heal me when I need it. Please help me to be patient in waiting. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
- See the photo of the dress of the Israeli artist at www.benescke.co.za or social networking, FBook's page, Stories van hoop.
Assignment for the day: Think for a moment about a situation that has hurt you in the past. Discuss it with God and ask Him to heal your heart completely. He wants to change the sackcloth into festive clothes.
Feedback: For feedback on the series or if you have a testimony to share about something God did in your life, please send me an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It's always nice to hear from readers. Benescke