Recently, I encountered a conflict within my soul when asked a personal question about my childhood. And though, I thought I was beyond conflicting feelings about that particular issue, I felt the pain of loss bubble up inside of me. Through this momentary sense of grating, I believe the L-RD dropped in my heart – battle-wound versus battle-scar. I thought hum…

The online dictionary definition of wound is break in body tissue, ex: cut, stab, gunshot, etc. and can extend to emotional hurt or a breach. On the other hand, scar means mark left on the skin after a wound heals, can mean an emotional wound.

In light of these definitions, I am trying to figure out where the childhood pain I experienced lies. In the middle or on one of the extremes…scar or wound. Of course, I would like to stay unequivocally, I am completely healed of any past hurts or abuses, and in Messiah I am! Yet, on this side of heaven either extreme or in the middle can and will occasionally bubble to the surface. 

Life as an active believer is always challenging us to grow, die, grow, die, grow and die…grow in Messiah as His holy people; and die to our narcissistic selves and evil worldly pleasures. In other words, we are called to the process of sanctification. What do you mean the process of sanctification? When we are saved and pledge our allegiance to Yeshua the Messiah, our spirits are saved, righteous in His sight and sanctified. However, there is still work to be done in order for our flesh to align with our spirit. (Philippians 2:12, Psalm 2:11) We don’t profess the name of Yeshua and then sit. If sitting and doing nothing…has rebirth been truly established?

We are required to live out the faith and trust we claim to have in the redemptive work of Yeshua on the cross and live in the power of His resurrection with the help of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. This reality of living out our faith is a daily inward choice to choose Yeshua and obey His directives. We must allow the Holy Spirit to do the deep work in our souls to heal areas where we may still grieve, (battle-wounds). This is a daily process as we work and walk in the salvation of our Messiah.

And, let me be clear: We do not work to get saved. Salvation is a free gift of grace from ABBA through His Son, Yeshua, (Jesus). However, we do need to obey and live like we are born again, and that requires work as we die to our flesh.

So, when issues arise in our hearts from previous battle-wounds and we are feeling some kind of way, our job is to recognize this and seek the Father for healing, deliverance, forgiveness and more. However, when an issue bubbles up in our minds from some negative situation, and our attitude is gratitude for the victories and lessons; we can know it is a battle-scar. A battle-scar as in a memory of G-D’s steadfastness and goodness in that situation.  Therefore, I believe that a battle-wound still oozes bringing pain, regret, shame, etc. And, a battle-scar, the wound is healed and we can see, though dimly, how G-D moved in that situation for our growth. 

Life will bring you people and circumstances to reveal where you’re not free, yet.* This is the battle-wound. The YET, is the choice to choose freedom or not; healing or death. Two choices: freedom and healing only found in Messiah or death through emotional strangulation.  The choice is always ours.

Prayer: ABBA, today I choose Yeshua and the freedom He has afforded us because of His tremendous and bloody sacrifice for us on the cross. Today, I give you all my hurts that still try to bubble up and strangle my soul and cripple my growth. I thank you for all the times You held me even when I was oblivious to Your working power. Thank you for being a loving and forgiving G-D and Father. Thank you for sending Yeshua so that we might have access to You. Thank you for hearing our prayers. May we continue to grow in intimacy with You and continue to be amazed by your awesome working power in our lives.

*Quote from Michael Jr., Christian Comedian

Dr. Dee