Fearlessly Courageous
10/18 2023
Desk of Dennis Piller
Don’t Waste Your Scars
Don’t waste your suffering. Don’t waste your scars. They are far too precious and valuable. You may never know the way you carry your scars or trials can impact the fledgling faith of another. People may not see an outward marker of your trial or know the story about that scar, but they do witness your life, your words, and your attitudes towards life, work, and relationships. They see it all, just like the child you didn’t know was watching. They are. God is using those trials and your witness in a thousand ways you will never see or know, but one way is to let others know that what they see is the strength of God in you. Giving Him the glory and not that it’s your strong resolve and resoluteness.
Use it boldly to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12).
A young woman told me a story about how her friends had witnessed a change in her after she had started to return to church. But she was afraid of what they would think. Afraid of being too fanatical to them. Afraid of losing some of those older valued friendships,
even though she doubted they were saved.
Matt 10:33 says: (ERV) “But if you stand before others and say you do not believe in me, then I will tell my Father in heaven that you do not belong to me”. I told them when they skirt that issue, that you are literally denying Christ before them. Be brave. Don’t be ashamed of your relationship with Jesus. Tell people about the hope in you, how God has met you, and why your faith has made a difference in your trials. It is the most powerful witness you have. It is your testimony. Our testimony is not so much about the big moment you came to see the light. More so it is your testimony through the trials, temptations, and mishaps of life that show forth God’s glory in you. When we hear of another’s calamity or loss… it is your testimony of something similar that the Holy Spirit saw you through that you are able to share that will touch their hearts and bring hope and comfort to their souls.
That is the real testimony we are called to share. Each of us has a 100 testimonies of how God delivered us and saw us through. We just need a heart for sharing “that truth” of God’s undying love with them in their moment of pain and suffering. Listening and being there can often be the loudest words of love and acceptance they have heard during their trial.
Lord help me to see and hear what you do. Help me to dial in and discern what is hidden beneath the surface. Use me Lord in new ways to show forth your love and resurrection power. I want to be used by you.
CeCe Winans Alabaster Box