Friday, January 1, 2016

A Mark of Healing

With the ringing in of the New Year, it is natural to look back upon and reflect on the previous year. Reflecting on the past year is a very good habit; it allows us to see the big picture of the year as well as see where each specific event fit into that overall scheme. When you do this, though, you remember not only the fun and wonderful times but you also remember the hard and painful periods!

As many of my readers probably know, this last year I had to have surgery on my hand to repair a broken knuckle and two cut tendons. When I review 2015, this event and the ensuing time of recovery continually comes into my remembrance! I remember the pain so very well that I had when I first injured my hand. I remember the pain after the surgery. I remember hearing the doctor say that it was very likely that I would never again have full range of motion in my finger. I remember the weeks and weeks of therapy and recovery. And now, as a mark of all that, I see a scar on my hand that shall forever remain. Every day following, I would see that scar and my head just began to be filled with thoughts about “scars”. It seems like that word is almost like a buzz word in society today and people are always using it to describe their pain and dwell on the fact that they will never again be the same. I almost always hear it used in the negative sense, and while it is important to remember the pain, it is even more important that we not forget that scars also represent healing. Scars only appear where two things that were once separated have been joined or a thing that was broken has been made whole again! What if God gives us scars so that we can forever be reminded of His healing work? I can tell you that it was because of God's blessing and healing power that my hand has regained normal motion. I thank God that He gave me a scar so that I will always remember the pain that He pulled me out of, as well as, the process that brought complete restoration and healing!

Also, as I would consider what scars meant, it became amazingly clear to me that scars point to and should remind us of the spiritual salvation we find in Christ. For, it is by the scars Christ received that we are completely restored to right standing before God our Father! Our broken and sinful souls must be made whole...must be scared...so we may have new life!

So, as you look back during this time of reflection, when you see your scars...whether they are physical, spiritual or emotional...please remember the healing process that God brought you through or that He is bringing you through! Do not dwell on the pain of the past, but only remember the depth of the pain to testify to how amazing God's healing power is to have raised you up out of such pain!

Let us see our scars and smile because of God's gracious and restoring work in our lives and let us thank Him for giving us that mark so that we never forget!

Happy New Year!!! I pray God blesses you greatly in it!



Isa. 53:4-5
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

2 comments:

  1. Amen! Such a truth filled and encouraging post.

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  2. True stuff right there! :)
    I love the way you described scars. I always think of Christ when I think of scars. And how much love love love was in His many (many!) scars here on Earth and on the Cross for us. So amazing. :)
    Just as a reminder to you that the scar on you hand is a sign God has given you to represent His love towards you. He protected you and gave the strength in those painful days. And, praise His Name, He has blessed you with full movement in it! :)

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