I heard a pastor once call these “sacred scars”. Wounds that life has inflicted, that hurt like hell when you’re going through them. But looking back, after the pain has subsided, you wouldn’t go back and change things. The scars that make you who you are.
Jon Chasteen at victory church in Oklahoma City talks about these scars too. Scars that show a covenant relationship. That tell people who see you “You mess with me and you mess with the person I am in covenant with. I am stronger than you think I am.”
Levi Lusko talks about this in his book “Through the eyes of a Lion”. This pain I am going through hurts. It’s very painful, but the way to get through is to not fear it. Go toward, into, and through the pain. It’s either going to kill you or make you stronger. Those are the only options.
Some days are so easy. That peace just flows naturally. It’s literally like a waterfall pouring over me so that I can’t even see my troubles if I squinted and looked all day for them. Others day though, it’s like wandering in a desert searching for any dirty puddle for sustenance. Those days, Lord Jesus give me focus. Help me to remember my covenant to you. Help me see the truth, that my eyes are unfocused and you are still with me.
Philippians 4:4-9 says
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
So what do I do when today is painful and hard? Rejoice in the Lord. When I don’t feel like the Lord is near, He is! Go to Him. He is not far from any of us. Go with prayer, with petition, with thanksgiving. His peace comes when we open our eyes and recognize Him right with us. And He guards us. Lord, help me to focus on the good things in this life and let go of the misery. In this middle, on those horrible days, it is very hard to do. Remind me of who you are and who I am on those days. Who you see me as.
“You stormed right in and You tore apart the lies. You told me I had something beautiful inside. You brought to life a part of me I thought had died and then I saw me. I saw me through your eyes.” -Britt Nicole / Saw me through your eyes
Standing for Salvation 