"Scars"- Part 2

Last November, Gracie had an eventful birthday party, (and believe me, it WAS eventful). She turned her dying garden into a mud-pit, there was a blind-folded obstacle race, a food fight, tug-war, etc. I was so ecstatic when I heard about all of these activities we were planning on doing... except for one. Gracie's underground pool had a long, 4-inch-wide log (with a rather flat side), horizontally over-lapping the pool; and underneath the wood was a ladder so that the log wouldn't break when people walked across. Of course there was rope to hold unto, but that did not make me feel at ease in the slightest. With each activity leading up to this one, I grew more and more anxious. I knew almost everyone at the party and I was determined not to embarrass myself with a tasks like this! My end goal? not to make myself noticeable. One after one, people were gracefully crossing the log and there was even a guy there that practically ran across-- how hard can it be? Before I knew it, it was my turn... I griped the rope with both of my hands and decided then, that I better walk really fast (almost like the running guy) so I could get this over with. As you could have guessed, it was a huge mistake. I fell within two steps- scrapping my leg against the log and (wait for it...), the ladder! After I got out of the freezing water, I pulled up my shorts and saw bloody wounds stretching from my knee to my hip. So much for not making myself noticeable.

As we said last week that we all have struggles, it is inevitable that we all have scars. Sometimes those scars are physical- whether it's caused my others or self-inflected; and sometimes we have them emotionally, either from a broken heart or a situation that hurt us deeply. Not all scars are catastrophic either; maybe your scar looks a lot like the one I got a Gracie's party; a reminder to laugh at myself more and not take things so seriously. Whatever case may fit you best, the same is true- all scars serve a purpose. It's up to us whether we view those scars as a weakness or God's most graceful signature in our life. 

1) Allow God to work through your scars. Be honest with God about your hurt. Cry out to Him. God is most pleased when we can humble ourselves before Him. (Matt 23:12) And most importantly, ask for His help and guidance. You can't do God's will without God. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Philippians 2:13. There is no healing, there is no freedom, and there is no power outside of God- who gives you the ability to feel that way. 

2)Embrace your scars. One of my all time favorite reminders in the Bible: Jesus had suffered, He had trials, and He had scars before I did. Because of His scars, I am healed. And because of His scars, I can embrace mine. God brings the sweetest of grace to our deepest despair, and He uses the very thing that once left us bruised. You know that dreadful saying, "that trial will only make you a better person,"? Well, in this case- it's true! JJ Heller has a wonderful reminder in her song, 'Control':
There were scars before my scars,
Love written on the Hands that hung the stars;
Hope living in the blood that was spilled for me.

3)Comfort others with the things that God has comforted you with. 2 Corinthians 1:4 "...that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." For example, in the mist of trials, God uses truth and hope to reassure our hearts of the certainty of Him, so that we can comfort others in that same way. I know many people who have a calling to encourage people in the very thing that they once struggled with. God works in wondrous ways!

In conclusion, open up to God about your hurt and allow Him to mend your brokenness. Embrace your scars, if God can overcome the world (John 16:33), He can overcome your scars. And remember, when you allow healing in your life, you can comfort others who are battling similar things.

How amazing it is to think that we can truly be ourselves in Christ (hurt and all). Don't underestimate the power of Jesus, and the healing in His blood that He willingly shed for us.

-Emily and Gracie