CELEBRATING OUR BATTLE SCARS
EQUIPPED: LIVING WITH FAITH-FILLED PERSEVERANCE EVEN UNDER PRESSURE - DAY 1
The reporter was interviewing the seasoned athlete at the end of his career, and the conversation turned to all the injuries the veteran had overcome over the years. His body told the story of the battle he had endured. He rolled up his sleeves and showed off one of his scars with a smile on his face. “This one taught me fortitude,” he explained.
Indeed, our healed scars are often the trophies we display of how God has helped us through the hard stuff and strengthened our resolve. We may bear the marks of pain, but we have persevered and grown wiser along the way. This unexpected outcome should be reason to celebrate.
The Apostle James had a few scars. For starters, his brother died on a cross . . . and at the time, their relationship was “complicated” at best. James didn’t believe until after Jesus rose from the grave. I am guessing he had some regret about his “wasted years” of unbelief and doubt.
Now the reformed cynic describes himself as a “servant” to Jesus. No longer does James live for his own pleasure. His will has been totally surrendered to do the will of His Savior — not out of duty, but with a desire to obey and an unrestrained devotion.
The words we read in our Bible were addressed to a bunch of battle-scared believers who had endured persecution and were scattered all throughout the kingdom. James knows that challenges will continue to come at them from all sides, and he writes to encourage them to remain steadfast in faith. His godly counsel defies the wisdom of this world — Are you going through a hard season? He asks. Well, you should be happy about that.
Celebrate your scars. You are getting stronger, sister.
A genuine faith that does not give up has been tested and proven true. James challenges the believers in the early church to find joy in their tribulations because God is at work in their lives – strengthening and perfecting their faith through difficult circumstances and helping them to develop perseverance. When we continue to trust God in the midst of our trials, we build up a reservoir of endurance in our souls that gives us “supernatural staying power.” The enemy of our soul may try to discourage us, but we can determine to dig our heels and hang on to Jesus anyway.
When we are walking through a difficult season, we need to remind ourselves that our suffering is never in vain. Our scars serve a supernatural purpose. God uses every difficult situation in our lives to refine us and help us become more like Jesus. Our job is to not resist, but to press in closer to Him and ask Him to strengthen us and equip us with His strength to keep us moving forward in faith.
Lord, I want to be a woman who celebrates her scars and gains strength. Thank You for teaching me how to persevere through painful experiences. Help me to learn more about You through each circumstance as I surrender to Your will. Fill me with Your joy and Your steadfast spirit. Amen