No marks...

People say “Life has a way of leaving its mark on us sometimes”. Well what is that supposed to mean? Webster says a "mark" is “an indication of damage”. It is the evidence of pain. It is proof that something has hurt you, and that hurt left a visible change. So, what do we do with these marks? We hide them. We cover them up with our own strength, self-sufficiency, relationships, pride, power, independence, busy-ness, the list goes on and on. It gives us a temporary & false sense of empowerment to think we’ve dealt with and conquered our past and we were strong enough to do it on our own. (If any of you know me you can probably guess that I struggle with the independence excuse! “I can do it!” Don’t fall into that prideful trap. I’ve learned the hard way…repeatedly!) 

We try to handle these marks ourselves with our own efforts. The problem with that mindset is this…it is taking a massive pain or hurt, and trying to fix it with mere human strength. It only leaves things in your soul unresolved and issues buried. The mark is till there. It is just covered up. With every hurt comes layers of healing. Healing is not an overnight event or a one step process. Often times we have to deal with pain, take a step forward, be ok for a while, and then revisit the pain again so that we can heal on a deeper level. This re-visiting and pain often rears its head when we least expect it. We think we're done healing and then it catches us off guard. It is at this point that we have a vitally important choice to make…who’s strength will we use? Will it be our meager human efforts, or will it be Christ’s permanent and healing strength? 

We have to allow Christ to point out specific things we need to do to continue to heal. Being specific is imperative. What does He say needs to happen? Ask him specifically. Is there a behavior that needs to be stopped? Is there a behavior that needs to be started? Forgive someone. Be specific, who do you need to forgive and exactly what for? Pray it out loud so you can hear yourself say it. Release it. You may have to do it more than once until your heart means it. These levels of healing get deeper and deeper each time we revisit them, gradually getting to the root of the pain until finally one day, you realize that the layers are gone and the healing is done. It may be easier and quicker to put a band-aid on it our selves, but that WILL NOT HEAL YOU. Healing will ONLY happen when we allow Christ to come in during the middle of our pain, point out specific healings that need to take place and turn them over to him and let him work. It will go against human nature (especially the forgiveness part), but you must follow his lead.

Healing comes with surrender, not control. Isaiah 9:6b says “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” We see a certain order of titles in this scripture, and I cannot help but think that this order is intentional. What we all need first when we are healing (weather we are too prideful to admit it or not) is a counselor, someone to listen to and guide us when we cannot guide ourselves through the healing. This is Jesus, and he beseeches us to let him be this for us. He knows that we cannot heal with out him. He knows our efforts are too small. He alone can see to navigate us through the deep, murky waters of pain and ourselves so that we can find the shore of healing and forgiveness. When we finally put down pride and control and let him be our Wonderful Counselor, he will then show us how he will also be the rest of those titles to us…Mighty God (he fights for your restoration) Everlasting Father (your dad will NOT give up on you, no matter how big your scar is) and finally….our beautiful Prince of Peace. His overwhelming, all-encompassing peace comes only when we allow him to be the first three titles for us. 

Let him take you there, down this road. It is long, it may tire you at times, but it deals with your marks in a way that does not cover them, but removes them completely, layer by layer. What will you find when you ask Christ to be your counselor? You will find a mighty, everlasting journey to Peace with no marks, scars or blemishes. You are made new in his healing and he will clothe you in righteousness with each step you take with him. Start now. Talk to him. Let the healing begin.