As a man, I know the honor that comes with some of my scars. Scars that result from hustling while playing ball or the slight bend in my nose from standing up to a bully that dishonored the girl I liked. They are trophy's from past battles and are a lingering effect that reminds me of a former glory.
But what I want to address today isn't the scars that we see on the outside. Deep inside we all bear scars of past moments that may not be so glorious. Maybe they come from a Dad who wasn't around, a business deal that went sideways, or a friendship that led you straight into a ditch. Regardless of where they come from we all carry them. Wounds that no one ever sees. Wounds we are ashamed of and would rather leave hidden from the world. But when we are honest, we accept the fact they can't remain hidden because God sees them all.
These scars are all part of what makes you who you are. They are defining moments and relationships that leave scars that you may not even notice. But just like the limp from years of football, it may be holding you back from a full and free future.
So what is your story?
The question I pose is a reminder that the explanation for some of your current circumstance may lay in the past. Perhaps growing up in a broken family may have taught you that you can't rely on anyone to stick around. And the junk that you take from it has attached itself to your marriage and caused you to worry the one you love the most will leave you when you have a disagreement. We all have a story and I promise there is someone out there that could benefit from hearing it.
Do you have the courage to share it?
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."”John 8:31-32 ESV
In the Scripture referenced above, Jesus tells us that knowing the truth-in this case, connecting the dots between your past and your present-will set us free. It gives you the chance to forgive those that have wronged or hurt you. It will help you uproot the weeds of bitterness that have grown in your heart and as a result caused your growth to be stunted. It allows our past to remind us but not define us.
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be out away will all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV
But what I want to address today isn't the scars that we see on the outside. Deep inside we all bear scars of past moments that may not be so glorious. Maybe they come from a Dad who wasn't around, a business deal that went sideways, or a friendship that led you straight into a ditch. Regardless of where they come from we all carry them. Wounds that no one ever sees. Wounds we are ashamed of and would rather leave hidden from the world. But when we are honest, we accept the fact they can't remain hidden because God sees them all.
These scars are all part of what makes you who you are. They are defining moments and relationships that leave scars that you may not even notice. But just like the limp from years of football, it may be holding you back from a full and free future.
So what is your story?
The question I pose is a reminder that the explanation for some of your current circumstance may lay in the past. Perhaps growing up in a broken family may have taught you that you can't rely on anyone to stick around. And the junk that you take from it has attached itself to your marriage and caused you to worry the one you love the most will leave you when you have a disagreement. We all have a story and I promise there is someone out there that could benefit from hearing it.
Do you have the courage to share it?
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."”John 8:31-32 ESV
In the Scripture referenced above, Jesus tells us that knowing the truth-in this case, connecting the dots between your past and your present-will set us free. It gives you the chance to forgive those that have wronged or hurt you. It will help you uproot the weeds of bitterness that have grown in your heart and as a result caused your growth to be stunted. It allows our past to remind us but not define us.
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be out away will all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV
Comments
Post a Comment