When I was 6 years old I spent most of my time outside like most children in the 60’s. One day I was running in my neighbor’s back yard, it was a little wet and I slipped. This would have been no big deal except for the fact I slipped on an old piece of wood. I ended up cutting the top of my foot badly enough to need quite a few stitches. If any of your know me well you know I tend to get a tad dramatic when it comes to pain; it started young.
Through the normal course of time the foot healed, stitches were removed and my life went on. One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to put hydrogen peroxide on any kind of cut or scrape. I loved to watch it bubble up taking care of any kind of dirt in an open wound. Strange yes but my strangeness is a topic for another day. Back to the story, months after my foot had completely healed I decided to put some hydrogen peroxide on it. But much to my disappointment there was no action. Of course the family got a good laugh out of me trying to clean an already healed wound.
What I did as a child many are trying to do as adults; Cleaning already healed scars.
Our lives are filled with failures and hurts; they cause emotional scars that last for years. As adults we spend much time attempting to clean already healed wounds. How we deal with our old scars affects much of how we handle our life emotionally and spiritually. Let’s use my 42 year old scar story and apply some lessons here.
· I could see my scar every day, I still can. Any time I put on a sock it is there, when I walk around the house bare footed it is there and it is not going anywhere either. Often we live with the visible scars of mistakes in our life; they come to us in daily reminders of a failure in our life. Chances are, like the scar on my foot the scar on your heart is not going anywhere either.
What to do? Yes my scar is still on my foot but I never pay attention to it. That is old news. Yes that reminder may be there but if you have taken it to Christ and asked for His forgiveness then it is old news to Him. Let it be old news to you as well. Here is what the Bible says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1. Don’t let an old scar continue to condemn you!
· I tried to clean a scar that had long since been healed, funny for a 6 year old but not so funny when we as adults keep beating ourselves up for something that was put away long ago. The devil loves to remind you of your old scars by the way.
What to do? Once again seeking God’s forgiveness makes all the difference. He is a far better cleanser than even hydrogen peroxide; when he cleans us up it is a done deal. Stop trying to clean a scar that has already been healed; you’re wasting time and insulting God. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Leave the old scar alone!
· There can be lessons learned for example I always kept my eye open in my neighbor’s back yard after that day. I made sure I did not make my way back to the emergency room for more stitches. I learned my lesson that day and to this day have not returned for that reason. We need to learn our life lessons; when we do God uses our scars for good.
What to do? Instead of dwelling on that last marriage, foolish decision, word misspoken, or angry fit of rage keep in mind the pain it caused, may still cause and use that for motivation to not open up any more wounds. Do you see the scar, feel the pain? Move forward with it not backward. Say no more angry words, make no more foolish decisions, I am not going back; and with the help of the Holy Spirit don’t! The Bible says, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. The time of need is when you are tempted to return to an old scar, we need to learn our lessons!
Lives hurts; clean them up, stitch them up, let them heal, give it to God and watch them fade away.
Scripture: Psalm 103:11-13, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, speak to hearts concerning the things we are holding onto. Help us to release them to you, help us to accept your forgiveness and allow healing to our sinful and broken hearts. We are thankful that you love us completely and we ask these things in the name of Christ, Amen.
