A Scarred Soul
Scars go beyond skin deep. Sometimes they are deeply embedded in our soul. We use things to mask them so we don’t have to deal with the underlying issues of why we have a history of struggling with aspects of life. Some scars are so deep that they stem from our childhood. We have to go completely raw before God to release the effects of the painful memories that our mind blocks from our memory. We make think we have completely let go of our baggage until it rises to the surface time and time again.
There are seven pathways to wholeness:
RECOGNIZE: Come to terms with toxic issues. ("The groans of the dying rise from the city, and souls of the wounded cry out." - Job 24:12 NIV) The Hebrew term suggests that groan comes from one who has been wounded. Perhaps that’s the reason Job adds the next text line in poetic form, “the souls of the wounded cry out.” In that line , wounds come from the term that means “pierced.” But he is not referring to a physical stabbing, for it is “the soul” that is crying out.
RESPONSIBILITY: You much take responsibility for what you recognized. ("For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." - Galatians 6:5-9 NLT)
REPENT: ("God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven." - Acts 5:31 NLT)
RENOUNCE: ("We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this." - 2 Corinthians 4:2)
REMOVE IT: Get rid of it once and for all. (“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Mathew 11:28-30)
RESIST: When it comes back, resist it.
James 4:7 NIV - “Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
Hebrew 4:15-16 NLT - "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
REJOICE: Give thanks for being free.
Philippians 4:4 NIV - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Zechariah 9:9 NLT - "Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt."
Romans 5:3-4 NLT - "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."
RESTORE: Help someone else get free.
Isaiah 58:6-7 NLT - “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help."
Psalm 51:12 NIV - "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Psalm 23:3 NLT - "He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name."
I have experienced God's restoration power first hand. He is the one that restores our life no matter what we face. God’s love for us is so strong that He not only leads us to places and times of quiet rest, but He also then renews our soul.
Read Andrea's testimony at: www.hopecenterforwomen.org/andrea
Read more from Andrea on her personal blog: andrea8752.wordpress.com
#jesus #scars #restoration #power #god #soul #wholeness #andrea