Jen’s Gem: Forgiveness heals your scars. 

When I was in elementary school, two events provided me with my first scars. The first one occurred when I put my arm through a window. The second when I slipped down our porch with a glass bottle in my hand. Let me provide a little of the backstories of each of these life-changing moments.

The back door of our garage never opened easily. You had to push and cajole this hunk of wood every single time. My approach was to push the glass window pane. I’d done it a thousand times with outstanding results…except this one time when instead of the door opening, my entire arm went through the window.

I ran inside and greeted my mother with my insides on the outside. Off to the ER we went. The doctor noted how lucky I was to have barely missed a major artery. He stitched me up and I went home.

The second encounter happened during the summer of my twelfth year as I was enjoying our new-ish pool. At the request of my brother, I ran inside (soaking wet) to grab a few cold drinks and as I exited the back door, boom! I slipped down the porch and cut open my left hand. Off to the ER I went again. This time was much more serious.

As my brother sped down the road to the hospital, I recall saying to my mother that I couldn’t feel my hand. Surgery to repair the damage was extensive. Thanks to oodles of physical therapy and my father insisting I play the piano when I was able, I regained nearly full use of this appendage.

Most recently, I had surgery to remove a pesky bone from this same hand.  Healing is speeding along and I will likely have another scar. This one is shaped like a lightning bolt! Kinda cool, right?

We all have scars. Some are visible. Others aren’t. Those on the outside can be covered up or may even fade as we age. Those on the inside are a bit harder to erase. Broken hearts from failed relationships or other hurts can plague us if we don’t put them in their rightful place.

But how do we do that? How do we heal the inside scars?

First, (and this is a tough one), we have to acknowledge their existence. Denial does nothing for us in the healing process. I could’ve ignored the recent surgery I had and went about my normal routine. This would’ve resulted in undoing the repairs and elongated my recovery. Acceptance is key.

Second, we need to forgive those who caused the scars. Ok. This one might be harder than step one. It is a rare person who intentionally means to hurt us. Everyone has some sort of hurt in their life and the way they deal with it is to hurt other people. When we can see the human instead of the hurt, the process of forgiveness may come a bit easier. (Tweet this!)

Lastly, we need to make a decision that these scars are in the past and they have no power over us.  If we want to live in the present moment (which is all we have anyway), and fulfill God’s plan for our lives, then we need to let these past hurts go.

Easier said than done. I hear you. Forgiveness is a process. One that you will likely have to rinse and repeat…alot! When the apostle Peter asked Jesus how many times we are to forgive others, “70 times 7” was Jesus’ response to Peter’s “7 times” suggestion! Don’t you just love Peter?!

When forgiveness eludes me, I try to focus on how many times has God forgiven me. If God can forgive me a bazillion times, then I can forgive others. You know the best part about God’s forgiveness? He gets amnesia about what we asked Him to forgive! Once we utter those three simple words, “I’m sorry God,” it’s forgotten. Forever.

“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12 NKJV)

We are able to approach God, confess our sins, and receive forgiveness from Him because of one Man’s scars – Jesus. Those are the scars we need to be grateful for every single day. Those are the scars we do not want to erase.  

The scars in heaven erase the scars on earth. All of them. (Tweet this!)

As we get ready for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus, I encourage you to take a moment to thank Him for His scars. Ask for His help to forgive those who hurt you. Ask Him to point out anyone for whom you need to ask forgiveness. 

Then, utter those three words that will erase every scar – “I’m sorry God.”