Scars

Isaiah 53:5 – But He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed.

Several years ago, my father, a Police Officer, was shot during a physical scuffle with a robbery suspect. The bullet entered his shoulder, very close to his heart and exited right above the back of his shoulder blade and then grazed another officer on scene, in the head. It was a difficult and traumatic time for our family. Thankfully, Dad lived to tell about it and for decades wore that battle scar proudly. He kept that bullet for years and in fact, shared it with my husband before we went on our very first date. That specific action, may have been mostly for the intimidation factor, but I digress. His scar was proof he had gone through something and although “scarred for life,” he lived to tell about his experience. He never minded sharing the details of the crime scene, after all, he was the hero in his story. Yes, that scar was a constant reminder of that painful event, but it was also a reminder that he escaped death on that day.

So often, we focus on the pain that resulted in the scars we’ve accumulated in this life instead of focusing on the fact that we came through the situation that caused them in the first place. We can spend our lives distressed, defeated and stuck in the role of “victim,” or we can emerge stronger, wiser, and better equipped to face whatever comes next. Some scars never completely fade, but they are a reminder that we have an awesome opportunity to share our story, our trauma and our ultimate victory with those facing similar situations. We can trust Jesus to carry us through our most difficult times.

Jesus had scars too. Jesus’ scars were proof He suffered a horrific death, but He also ultimately conquered it. His scars made the greatest skeptic in the room, “doubting Thomas,” believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He was who He claimed to be. Those scars proved Jesus words were not the ramblings of a lunatic but instead the fulfillment of the prophesy of the coming Messiah. Scars are our reminder, we survived.

Isaiah 53:5 – But He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed.

Do you have scars? Do you focus on the pain that caused those scars or on the healing power of our Lord and Savior? Are you the victim or hero in your story? Let Him give you the victory over your pain. Thanks to His pain and His sacrifice, there will be a day when our scars no longer plague us. Be part of His story, better yet, allow him to be the hero in yours!