We all have scars from our life and choices. I know that I am not telling you something that you don’t know but I hope to reinforce it for you and just maybe help you with them. Every one of us has experienced many different things in life. Some of us have experienced bullies, enemies, those who just didn’t like us, and hopefully we have also had close friends who stood with us.
We have believed, studied hard, and changed our positions on issues we thought were settled numerous times. If you have been a Christian for very long you have also suffered through many people with good intentions who were just trying to help you but for whatever reason it went all wrong. Most likely you have had to be the one person who stood for the truth against those who wanted to change things.
Just as importantly, we have experienced many great days, great friends, days where everything went exactly how we hoped it would. We have had the help and love of good friends and loved ones who worked hard to ensure our success.
Every one of these events has created scars that affect the way we hear and experience things. Scars that affect the way we respond to people’s questions, misunderstanding, and their comments to our problems. You cannot change the past and you cannot remove those scars (even though we would like to at times). They are a part of you now. Those experiences, good and bad, have shaped you into the person you are. Nevertheless, you must be aware of your scars, being aware of what caused them or you will allow those scars to damage others.
You see, as you move forward in life, those scars affect how you experience life. The same statement or situation might have a totally different intention than the one we heard. It wasn’t that we totally misunderstood but our scars have created wounds that affect how we experience it. To one person it might be the best thing they have heard but to the next it might be misconstrued to mean that someone wants to destroy what you have fought so hard to build. All of this means that we must adopt Jesus’ view of life and people.
The New Testament has much to say about how we treat others especially those we could consider enemies. It pays a lot of attention to being gentle and caring with each other, always thinking the best of each other. Matt. 5:21-48,Titus 3:1-11; James 3:13-18; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 Cor. 13:1-8.Carefully and prayerfully consider each of these passages and how they relate to your interactions with others.
Jesus wants us to be different from the world, more like Him than them! Our scars must be addressed if we hope to truly hear others and treat them with the gentle, loving hands of Jesus. And remember that Jesus can help you heal, learning how to deal with the scars that affect your view of life.
Lord Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make the kind of person You want me to be in Jesus name, Amen.