I write this post with a heavy heart. Speaking to someone close to me, I listened to the hurts, the struggles, the frustrations, the pain that they have been experiencing. They have become weary, close to giving up and overcome with a sense of hopelessness. The many situations they face on a daily basis has been going on for years. Another day feels like breaking point.
As I listened, I felt that there were no words. Nothing I could say could console this broken spirit. This post is from my heart to theirs.
The Scars We Carry
We all carry scars with us in some capacity.
Emotional scars that touch the deepest parts of who we are, often caused by others we are close to, but sometimes self-inflicted by our own decisions. Physical scars caused by abusive relationships, accidents, medical conditions. Spiritual scars caused by the times we choose to sin, rather than turn to God for His help, or maybe for the times we wrestle with God when we simply do not know the ‘why’ behind something that has hurt us deeply. There are possibly other scars that I may have missed, but could be mentioned here. We all carry them in some capacity.
Does God care about our scars?
Does He really know what we are going through?
I have cried out to God so many times with my hurt. Can He not see this situation? Why did this happen? How can I trust You God when everything seems so hopeless and broken?
Scars of Love That He Carried For Us
Jesus appeared to His disciples after He died and rose again. What did He say to Thomas, the disciple who wanted proof that Jesus was who He said He was? In John 20:27 He said:
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
He showed Thomas His scars. The scars in His hands where the nails went in. The scar from where His side was pierced to ensure He was dead on the cross.
Jesus had scars too. The scars are a reminder that Jesus Christ took all of our sin upon Himself.
God promises us something truly amazing that we should hold onto when the clouds roll over us, and it becomes unbearable.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Remember that Christ has overcome the sin and death of the world and we are a new creation in Him (1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
He is strong when we are weak. He is a fortress from the storm. He is faithful, even when we turn our backs on Him.
He loves you.
Although we deserve punishment for turning away from God, He loved us all so much that He took our place. We now have a glorious promise of eternal life waiting for us all, where there will be no more pain or suffering. Although sin entered the world through one man, Adam, we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ, by the scars He endured for us all on the cross.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all people [no one being able to stop it or escape its power], because they all sinned. 13 Sin was [committed] in the world before the Law [was given], but sin is not charged [against anyone] when there is no law [against it]. 14 Yet death ruled [over mankind] from Adam to Moses [the Lawgiver], even over those who had not sinned [c]as Adam did. Adam is a type of Him (Christ) who was to come [but in reverse—Adam brought destruction, Christ brought salvation].
15 But the free gift [of God] is not like the trespass [because the gift of grace overwhelms the fall of man]. For if many died by one man’s trespass [Adam’s sin], much more [abundantly] did God’s grace and the gift [that comes] by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to [benefit] the many. (Romans 5:12-15 Amplified Bible)
Christ came to rescue us from sin, death, pain, all trouble and affliction. He has made a way for all of us. Let us come to God, on our knees with our tears, anger, frustration and hurt.
The devil will try his utmost to subtly distract us from God’s promises and for all that He has done for us. We are in a spiritual battle. Let us continue to pray, praise and pause in God’s presence today.
Whatever the scars in your life, turn your heart to the scars that Christ endured for you, because you are precious and loved.
An Anchored Hope 
i am so glad that we have a heavenly home to look forward to especially when this world gets hard to live in .
Definitely. Praise God for the cross and the victory we have in knowing Christ! 🙂
Amen! It is hard to listen to the stories of those who are hurting. But there is such great comfort in the cross and the promise of heaven, no? Thanks for sharing.