DiAnnMills @DiAnnMills
By Dr. Michelle Bengtson @DrMBengtson
Jesus warned that while we live on earth, we will experience pain, suffering, trials, and tribulations. In my own life, and in the lives of most of my patients coming to see me as a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, I’ve seen how words, events, and actions wound our heart. If left untreated, they often result in shame, guilt, regret, remorse, fear, and isolation. Whether the result of our own mistakes and misdeeds, or those done to us, these wounds often lead to embarrassment, and result in keeping our pain hidden under a cloud of shame.
When we are wounded, we can respond in one of two primary ways: we either ignore or lock up the pain in our heart, or we pursue healing so that our wounds can become sacred scars. What if we could trust God to take our brokenness and our pain and create something beautiful?
When we go through painful trials, people often offer Bible verse band aids, such as Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” And yet we often wonder, “How? How will you bring good from this, God?”
This verse says “all things” …I wonder what your “thing/pain/wound” is? What is it that you feel has diminished your value or worth? What has caused you to hide and isolate in shame and embarrassment so others won’t find out? What occurred that you feel now disqualifies you from the abundant life Christ came to give, or from being used by God? What is your “thing?”
Too often, Romans 8:28 is quoted, but verse 29 is forgotten: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (emphasis mine).
In our pain, we long for God to bring good from our circumstances. We want our prodigal to come home, or our marriage restored. We desire to be vindicated, or to be healed. God promises to bring good in all things, and there is no greater good than being conformed to the image of his Son, Jesus.
Jesus was also wounded. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). But the amazing thing is that in his resurrected body, Jesus still had the scars in his hands, feet, and side. Those scars served a purpose and were a beautiful reflection of that fact that he was who he said he was and that he did what he said he would do.
Our scars serve a beautiful purpose as well. They are the tapestry of the lessons we’ve learned through pain, and the mirror through which we reflect more of Christ.
Will you give God your wounds, your pain, your brokenness, your shameful past, and allow our good, redemptive God to restore and redeem what you may have believed was otherwise lost?
Michelle
Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a hope concierge! Her passion is to share hope and encouragement with others, whether as a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, host of the award-winning podcast Your Hope Filled Perspective, or the author of several award-winning books including Hope Prevails, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, and The Hem of His Garment. Her newest release is Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past is Not Wasted. She loves all things teal, spending time with friends and family, taking long walks, or sitting by quiet shores, and it’s a bonus when any of those are accompanied by sea salt caramel chocolate! You can find her and her hope-filled resources at DrMichelleB.com
Thank you, Michelle!
