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Scars

Do you have any scars?  Maybe you have an exciting or interesting story behind yours.  My scars are pretty run-of-the-mill. I have a small scar above my left eyebrow from when I had chickenpox as a kid.   Not being crafty has actually resulted in some pretty appalling scars from a hot glue gun. Over the course of my life, I've needed different surgeries or procedures that have left scars, the most recent being my pinky finger.  I'm sure you all are tired of reading about my finger revelations, but until God moves me to something else, just bear with me.

Scars are the physical evidence that your body has healed.  I have one surgical scar in particular that was sore for months after it healed up.  It was a constant reminder that trauma had occurred, but I was healed.  There were no more doctor appointments.  There was no more wound care.  The daily struggle of having an open wound had become a subtle reminder of what had been overcome.  Over time, the pain subsided, finally giving me freedom from this experience.  The scar serves as a reminder, but it doesn't hurt anymore.

This reminds me of the story of Jacob in Genesis 32.  The man literally wrestled with God and came out of it alive, blessed, and with a limp.  This encounter permanently changed the way he walked physically and spiritually.  It also marked him as Israel, which would become the nation of God. His scar resulted in amazing promises fulfilled.

There are other scars.  Most of us walk around with scars no one sees.  Verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse doesn't always reveal itself but definitely leaves scars.  Eventually, the wounds heal, but there may be a constant reminder of what we have overcome.  Rather than viewing scars as a bad thing, consider what has been healed.  Dwell on the hard stuff for a moment.  Then, with the next breath, praise God for the healing.  

When we stay paused in pain, fear creeps in and paralyzes you.  Pain paralysis results in the inability to function properly.  Trust me, I know.  My finger is re-learning how to bend.  Sometimes, we need others to help us out of this pain.  But the only one who can truly heal the pain is Jesus.  Will there be a scar? Yes.  Will it be worth it? Yes.  

Because of your scars, Holy Spirit will be able to use you to help those who are going through the pain you have overcome.  Don't be ashamed of the scars.  Don't dwell on the pain that caused them.  Relish in the triumph that God has given you, and proudly display the evidence that you have been healed.

© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.

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