Beauty from ashes

Several famous artists have had to learn to adapt their art after facing physical challenges. Sheridan Voysey wrote in the March 30, 2025, “Our Daily Bread” devotional that French impressionist Edgar Degas suffered from retinal disease for his last 50 years. Though originally known for his dramatic oil paintings, he began using pastels since chalk lines were easier to see.

The arthritis of Pierre Renoir twisted his hands so severely they resembled claws. He refused to stop painting even when others had to place brushes between his fingers.

Heri Matisse was famous for his paintings but after surgery began directing his assistants to place colored pieces of paper artistically on large sheets to create beautiful collages.

In his devotional, Voysey noted that after each artist faced a challenge they adapted their art and experienced an inspired breakthrough: Degas created “Blue Dancers,” Renoir, “Girls at the Piano,” and Matisse, “The Sorrow of the King.”

This is not unique to the creation of art. Frequently the tough times people experience provide opportunities for previously unimagined growth and success.

Sometimes our challenges are an essential part of our success. The story of Joseph in Genesis 30-50 tells how this godly man’s brothers sold him to slave traders then told their father a wild animal killed him. After arriving in Egypt, Joseph was falsely accused of rape and sent to prison. However, he soon became the jail’s manager, an administrative job which prepared him to lead his new country’s preparation for a terrible famine. He was eventually reunited with his brothers and told them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” (Genesis 50:20, NLT)

The Bible tells how Moses learned patience and independence during 40 years in the desert, after this he was called to lead God’s people through 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. When the Apostle Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he stopped persecuting the early church. He learned the value of reexamining his preconceptions. This almost certainly played a key role in how he led early believers to welcome Gentiles (non-Jews) into the church. He became Christianity’s most effective ambassador.

Voysey concluded his devotional by asking, “What trial have you faced, and how did it change the direction of your life? By refocusing your gifts, you too may see God bring beauty out of your infirmity.” None of us knows how God may use current challenges to prepare us for our most significant future accomplishments, but he has done this before and will certainly do it again.