Letting God Heal Others Through Our Scars

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

John 20:27

By His stripes, we are healed. This is what the prophet Isaiah teaches us.

This is a strange thought. How did the beatings Christ take over 2,000 years ago bring me healing?

Healing comes through His stripes when we understand that He endured this suffering for our sins, which means He loves us. He really loves us. And the fact that He displayed this level of love for us, knowing how sinful we would act, means He does not only love the good and the righteous. He loves even people like you and me who have never been perfect and never will be. The more we understand His love, the less we fear His judgment. Rather than being afraid of Him, we move closer to Him. And the nearer we are to Him, the more we are healed because healing is in His person. Like the woman who touched the hem of His garment was healed, all those who draw near to Him receive healing from emotional, mental, and spiritual wounds. Some even receive physical healing.

In the same way that we are healed by His stripes, our scars can bring healing to others. When we are open about our pain and that we have only been able to overcome by the grace of God, it dispels the lies of Hell that many believe. If we never let people see our scars, many will just think that we are lucky, and they are not. Some might think that God loves us but not them. But when we share our pain with others to help them, they see the love God has for them through us. They see that God loves even the worst sinner. They see that God loves them, and our scars are used by God to bring them healing.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to let my past, even the worst parts of it, be used to bring healing to others when they see how You helped me and loved me anyway. Amen.