Ironing Out the Wrinkles and the Wounds

Have you ever been in a rush or traveling for an important meeting or event only to find the only blouse or pants you have left has wrinkles or several creases on it? Even worse, there is no iron in the hotel room to flatten out the creases or wrinkles.
Some of us look into the mirror and notice several wrinkles in our face or hands. We try to hide these wrinkles with skin creams, or a woman may use makeup to fill in the cracks and wrinkles. It makes us look or appear younger.

When I see wrinkles with older people, I see life experiences, wisdom, a hard worker, a person who may have gone through many hardships, sacrifices, and see even beauty and triumph within the lines.
Our bodies and life’s experiences tell us one thing. But our clothing something else.

Paul the Apostle had many trials and life experiences. “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies”.
2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬11 NLT

Notice the battles, pain, and the suffering Paul withstood. He did not boast about himself and how he managed to overcome these challenges on his own. He revealed how Christ Jesus was evident in his life to help him to overcome. Paul faced imprisonment, beatings, hunger, etc.

Notice he stated, “we get knocked down but never abandoned by God. Knocked down but not destroyed…”

The scars and wrinkles that Paul had are no different than the scars and wrinkles we have. Paul was human, but he knew where to draw his strength that was found in Christ. My scars remind me of the life’s battles that I have faced and have overcome. Some battles I have lost and that scar reminds me of how God was sparing my life. How about you? What scars and battles have you faced or may be confronting today?
Do you have any wrinkles to show for it?

I encourage you to face and embrace your battles and scars today and allow God’s love to forgive and heal each wound.

Notice how Paul wraps up this chapter: That is why we never give up.

“Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever”.
2 Corinthians 4:16‭-‬18 NLT

Get a pen and paper and write down at least three scars or battles you have experienced or are facing. No blame, no shame, but be transparent with yourself and the Lord. God the Father will help through it.
May those scars and wrinkles help to remind you of the all sufficient Christ who died for you and loves you no matter what you face or have experienced.

May you have a week of victory my friend and keep pressing on!