Battle Scars
“Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27
Have you ever wondered why you go through struggles? Why do any of us go through so many storms in our lives? Doesn’t it seem like we are constantly stressing, worrying, or fighting against something or someone? Why does life have to be so hard?
Today’s scripture is about Jesus showing the marks of His “battle” to Thomas. He tells Thomas to look and touch them so that Thomas will believe that Jesus is truly back from death. It seems like Jesus is disappointed in Thomas because he wouldn’t believe until he actually touched the print of the nails in Jesus’ hands. But I believe this is in the scriptures for those of us who have the same issues that Thomas did; those of us who are inspired by the testimony of those who have been through a battle. Jesus story/testimony was encouraging and brought life to the disciples again. After Jesus died, they didn’t know what to do or how to go on with life. However, when Jesus came back and told them His story and showed them His prints (the results) they were encouraged and had new direction and a fresh start.
So now we know the reason we go through battles, struggles, and storms. It’s to persevere and get through to the other side with God’s help, so that we can turn around and show others our battle scars and tell the story of God’s faithfulness that got us through. Then others who are currently in a storm will be encouraged and see hope for a future and fresh start.
Today I want to encourage you if you are struggling or battling right now, to find someone who has already come through a similar crisis successfully. Ask them to share their story with you to stimulate new life in your circumstances. If you are the one who has already come through some storms, ask the LORD to bring others across your path that may need encouraged and are going through similar storms that you have already been through. Then be ready and willing to share your story/testimony of God’s faithfulness and show your healed wounds to encourage them. Help others see hope to get through their storm and see the direction for their future on the other side of the crisis through your battle scars!
Today’s scripture reading: John 20:24-31
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”
27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
The Daily Dose 