As I have traveled this road of separation, legal divorce, and standing for the most amazing woman, I find that even though at times it is hard to get up, walk or keep going, I am so grateful for the scars. Before this happened, I was living my life for me. I was saved, I loved my wife and children, but I was very selfish and I walked and made decisions in fear.
We all have scars. We all have been wounded. We live in a sinful world. We are cut deeply and wounded; we have had our hearts broken. We live in a world of broken people. But there is hope and peace if we look for it.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3
Through this journey I have been growing in the heart of who God is. I have found that He is healing, comfort, joy, laughter, strength, peace in the storm. He is the very breath that I breathe. He has provided people in my life who pray for me and with me, who hold me accountable. He is so much more and the more we lean into Him the more that He becomes in our lives. Daily, He binds up our broken hearts and His desire is to give us a crown of beauty instead of ashes. Also, I see that my wife is not my stronghold or my source of strength; she is a gift from God meant to be loved, honored and protected.
I have heard this all of my life, but now I experience it. It is through my brokenness and my wounds, His healing and the scars, that I learn about the heart of God and what Jesus has done for me.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds (scars) we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (addition mine)
Interesting to note. Jesus lived a perfect life, died for our sins and went to heaven, but his scars are still there. If Jesus is perfect and his scars are a sign of his obedience and faith in His father, do my scars make me more like Jesus? My scars make me beautiful.
I heard someone once say that scars are a reminder of the pain we went through and to avoid those circumstances in the future. I don’t see it that way. When I look at my scars, I see who God is and am reminded of what God has done in me and through me. Knowing the power of God, they allow me to face my circumstances with the confidence that God is in control. Those scars allow me to comfort others in similar circumstances, to pour out the same love that God has given to me.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When I feel like giving up, I see my scars and I cannot deny what God has done, what He has said that He will do, and that nothing is impossible with God.
Through this journey God has revealed truth through the study and reading of His Word. As you grow, He will continue to reveal truth to you. I did not live in truth before this journey, just fear. God showed me a verse in the Bible a few months back that has been burned into my heart, especially when I am down.
Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. Philippians 3:15-16 (HCSB)
Live the Truth that you have attained, that has been revealed to you. That is powerful. Through this journey what Truth has God revealed to you? Look at your scars, what has He done for you?
This is a journey that I wouldn’t wish on anyone, especially my children. But as for my scars, I am grateful. As a popular song states, “I am grateful for the scars, because without them I wouldn’t know your heart.”
David in Texas
