Trusting God Through the Pain of Your PastSample

Day Three

Treasures in Darkness

Scripture: Isaiah 45:3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Philippians 1:6

We usually view someone who has persevered through battles as strong, confident, and capable. We can tell that they think differently about themselves and others because of what they have been through. In fact, I know of no one I deeply admire who hasn’t walked through dark days. Those I know who are called upon to do great things go through fire and flood and famine first.

Yet we sometimes believe that the wounds of our own dirty, messy lives, and their resulting scars, disqualify us from living a full life—that they leave us marred in the sight of others and of God, like a chipped plate no longer safe to eat from.

My story is filled with hurt, mistakes, regrets, broken pieces, ugly truths, and shards of pain I would prefer to keep locked in a box. Yet every day, God reminds me that my story is also filled with grace that pulled me out of the pit of despair, unexpected healing, peace that made no sense, a declaration of value and identity, and a deeper relationship with my heavenly Father.

This is the Father who sustains me and gives me the strength to persevere when I am tempted to give up. Because God doesn’t play favorites, he loves each one of his children completely, unconditionally, and intimately. When Christ died on the cross, he did so for each one of us. He promises, “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6).

The scars that pain and suffering produce reveal treasures of transformation, redemption, and purpose that you can share unashamedly with other wounded and broken people. They become a mark in your life to show how God comforted you, how he brought you to a place where beauty is now greater than your pain.

Because we live in a fallen world, pain and adversity are inevitable, but how we respond to such experiences is our choice. Will we allow our scars to limit us, or will we use them to inform who we are and how we care for others?

Father, you promise to complete your good work in me. That means that even my scars can be beautiful testaments to your goodness, your healing, and your love. Help me to believe not my own thoughts about myself today but your thoughts toward me. In Jesus’s name, amen.