Articles
Scars Influenced by Faith
Have you ever thanked God for your scars? Trauma—no matter how intense—does end and the wounds it causes can heal. Whether physical or emotional, we can choose to see our scars as a reminder of tragedy or triumph. The way we perceive our scars will affect the way we recognize the trauma that made them. Since our thoughts influence our actions, the choices we make during recovery can affect the healing process.
The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7, “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” Paul then mentions how he prayed and pleaded with God three times to have the thorn removed. He replied to Paul saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” After hearing the Lord’s reply, Paul resolved and admitted, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” When Paul mentions being “weak” he is talking about relying on God. Our strongest moments are when we let ourselves be vulnerable with our Father, turning to Him for comfort and guidance. He can heal us and provide the way of escape from our temptations, but only if we are wiling to obediently listen to Him.
One of the hospitals I go to for my more intense surgeries has some of the best surgeons in the world. One time my doctor told me of a wealthy client he had who renovated his hospital room so that he can recover in luxury. The renovation plans included marble flooring with a large marble covered bathtub. When my doctor heard this he told the client to get rid of all the marble because it is extra slick when wet and that isn’t safe for a recovering patient. The client ignored my doctor and you can imagine the damage that was done to his recovering body when he did indeed fall.
We may be thinking, “He’s a silly rich guy not listening to his doctor.” Yet, we can all too easily ignore the advice of the great Physician that is our Father in Heaven. God tells us in Jeremiah 33:2-6, “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah that were torn down to make a defense against the siege mounds and against the sword: They are coming in to fight against the Chaldeans and to fill them with the dead bodies of men whom I shall strike down in my anger and my wrath, for I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil. Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.” If we call on God and make Him our refuge then He promises to become our shield against our enemies. The greatest among them being the devil. The devil will try his best to wound us. God will heal those wounds to be scars if we let Him.
