Walking Wounded

“Scars remind us where we have been. They don’t have to dictate where we are going”. That was a quote from a TV show I was watching. I think the biggest mistake most of us make when our feelings are hurt or we have been wounded in some way is that after the initial pain is gone and the dust has settled we learn how to adapt and function in spite of the pain. We may not be healed but that doesn’t mean we are not capable, after all it doesn’t seem like such a big deal because it hasn’t stopped us from accomplishing our goals or living our life. But what we may not realize is that we are allowing our scars to call the shots. Our scars tell us if we can trust again, if we can change, if we can dream, if we can hope. Scars have a very limited vision. Scars can’t see past the hurt and scars can be very powerful. But we have to be stronger than our scars. We have to train the most powerful part of our bodies…our mind to see past the pain and allow our pain to push us out of our comfort zone, not deeper into it. Some might ask what does this have to do with believing in Jesus? Well, because our pain can either makes us run to Him or shut Him out. It is entirely our choice. We can choose to let love in or keep it at arm’s length because past experience was just too hard. We are shaped by our experiences and environment but that’s not all of who we are. If our lives are only a reflection of pain its an indication we are on the wrong track. We have to use what we have learned to become stronger, wiser and better…..Matthew10:16 NIV “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves”.

The hurt, the pain, the disappointment is real, no use in sugar-coating that. But this is where your faith is put to the test. Can you lay the ugliness before God? Can you surrender that agonizing emptiness to Christ and allow Him to handle it? Or will you insist on filling all your days, months, years totally devoted and loyal to your pain. Adopting the shortsighted, narrow, crippling outlook on life that only pain can give.

Make no mistake...you cannot serve two masters. One will dominate. You will either trust in the pain you have fooled yourself into thinking you can control…..Romans 1:21 NIV “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened”. Or you can trust in the God that you chose to surrender to….Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV “Trust in the Lord  with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”.

It’s okay to release it…Psalm 51:10 NIV “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”.  Jesus is an expert at stamping out darkness, let him handle it. Just like you would call a termite specialist if you had a termite infestation, call Jesus for your pain infestation. Allow Him to rid you of the darkness that follows you and insidiously seeps into every aspect of your life…..Proverbs 17:22 NIV “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”. And what’s so cool about Jesus is that he will not only rid you of the darkness  he won’t even charge you…..He already picked up the tab.

This is another quote from the TV show I was watching:  “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies inside us”.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Or as it says in God’s word…. Proverbs 4:20-27 NIV

“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil”.

I pray that we are all able to show one another the true meaning of Christmas….the love of Christ. It is not always easy but always worth it. Have a very Merry Christmas.

With Love, Ms Wanda, GAC