“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners . . . to comfort all who mourn
. . . to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:1,2c,3b (NIV)
My journey began in Kenai, Alaska in 1946. I am “Alaska Native,” the fourth daughter of five sisters, and an older half-brother. My brother began sexually abusing me when I was five or six years old. I told no one, not even my parents. The impact on my life was long lasting.
Years later, I sought help from a counselor who told me about Dan Allender’s book, “The Wounded Heart.”
I read the book, then attended my first “Survivors of Abuse” seminar in Vancouver. Something I had never talked about was openly
shared in small and large groups. I began my healing journey, leaving shame behind. I knew that my people needed this. Returning to Alaska, a committee of 10 Native leaders gathered to discuss ideas, and the Beauty for Ashes Conference was formed. Our first gathering was held in 2003. Locally, the name has changed to “Hearts Going Toward Wellness,” and continues to this day. As my journey continues, I’m grateful to God for opening my prison door and setting me free. All praise and glory to God.
Maybe you are a victim of sexual abuse. I encourage you to find someone to talk to. The enemy of our souls delights in keeping you a
prisoner. But the Lord wants to bind your broken heart and set you free, bringing the healing that only He can bring, and create beauty from ashes.
– Linda Ross
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org