DON’T GET SCARRED BY YOUR EXPERIENCES

Read: Daniel 3:8-30

Meditation verse: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

To be scarred means to be deeply affected or marked by mental or physical pain or injury. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had just passed through a horrible experience. They had been bound and thrown into a fiery furnace heated seven times more. But they came out unhurt and untainted by their experience. They did not even smell smoke; meaning there was nothing on them that showed what they had just gone through.

Scorned, betrayed, and sold into slavery by his own blood, Joseph had every reason to be scarred. He was accused of rape and thrown into prison. He was forgotten in prison by someone he had helped. He could have turned into an angry and vengeful person. But when he found himself in a position of authority, he refused to let his past define him, he said “you meant evil against me, but God turned it around for good” (Genesis 50:20).

Jephthah was the son of Gilead, but his mother was a prostitute. His half-brothers drove him away. So, he fled from them and settled in the land of Tob,where a gang of scoundrels followed him. When the Ammonites were fighting against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to him to request that he be their commander, to fight the Ammonites. Through his leadership, the Lord gave Israel victory (Judges 11). Esther the orphan became queen in place of Vashti (Esther 2). Moses, a shepherd who fled into exile for committing murder, led
God’s people out of Egypt. He was eighty years old. (Exodus 7).

Irrespective of what your past experiences have been, don’t get scarred by them. Your past does not define you; it prepares you for your future. Do you know why the front windscreen of your car is bigger than the rear-view mirror? It is because what is ahead of you is more important that what is behind. Quit reliving your past experiences. Stop talking about the pains of yesterday. Look ahead and move on to what God has in store for you. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give
you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). If God has. said it, then it is settled.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye

Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest.

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

www.rockteachingministry.org

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.