In Times of Quitting Read online

Our worlds are shattered at times from broken homes, divorces, violence, all kinds of abuse, sickness and death. It doesn’t take but a few minutes for one’s dreams to be shattered and for one to lose all hope. Living with the scars of life can create a miserable life at times. The pain, hurt, rejection and suffering that come with life’s journey can be more than anyone can bear. But, think about Jesus; He, too, bore the scars of life – the crown of thorns, nails in His hands and feet, His pierced side and the scourge of being whipped. However, the scars Jesus wore and bore were ours because of our sins. He carried our load of pain, agony, hurt and rejection. He bore the horrible debt of our sins, death. He not only paid the debt in death but paid it in full upon His resurrection so that we could be forgiven and set free through Him by His blood and what He endured on the cross. The scars of this life may be unfair and unjust. We may not always understand and we may not want to accept or agree with everything. Regardless of it all, walking it with Jesus in His way and His time, we will make it through if we stay true to Him. Some scars of life are not too bad; we can put some of them behind us and still live a full life. Unfortunately, some scars take time to heal and it is hard for us to overcome and live with them. It is when we call out unto Christ for help with these matters that through Him and only through Him can we find the way to complete victory.

  Jeremiah 18:1

  The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,

  Jeremiah 18:2

  Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

  Jeremiah 18:3

  Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

  Jeremiah 18:4

  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

  Jeremiah 18:5

  Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

  Jeremiah 18:6

  O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

  Letting Jesus, by and through Him, His word and the spirit of God, mold and shape us helps us deal with the scars of this life so we can come forth in the end as pure gold. It takes time, patience, a lot of sacrifice and obedience from us to let the word of God dwell within us daily while the spirit of God and the Holy Ghost of God leads us into all truth. Too many times in our walk of life we try to heal the scars on our own. We are constantly letting the scars heal from the outside in which only allows them to scab over and be knocked off or hit by the battles of life; the old wounds are then reopened and brings more hurt and pain. But, when we allow Jesus to slowly heal our wounds it only leaves a small scar which in all likelihood will not be opened again. Sometimes in life we are left with scars that are ugly and disfiguring; they make our lives harder to deal with and accept. There is only one way to live with the scars of life and that is by God’s help through His son. It is then we can make it through.

  Job 14:7

  For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

  Job 14:8

  Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;

  Job 14:9

  Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

  Job 14:10

  But man dieth, and waseth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

  Job 14:11

  As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:

  Job asked the question; if a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of our appointed time, we should wait until our change comes. God, in time, heals all wounds by His way if we let Him. Letting God through His son, His word and His spirit remold us and make us more unto His image and likeness can take the ugly scars of life and turn them in to something wonderful and beautiful. Most of the time, healing doesn’t come overnight or in an instant; it takes time. The more time we give it, the faster the healing will be. Remember these key words – forgiveness, love, trust, patience and longsuffering. Time heals all wounds.

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  In Times of Quitting

  Facing It as You Come to It

  Although the sun may rise today, with the Lord’s help, I shall face it. Although the sun may set this evening, with the Lord’s help, I shall face it. Although the darkness of night may linger on by the light of the moon, with the Lord’s help, I shall face it. But, tomorrow is another day; the sun may rise again and with the Lord’s help, I’ll face it.

  − b. a. troutt