Crap.

Now, before you judge the title of today's devotional, bear with me! We all have scars from simply living life. Maybe you fell out of a tree at 6 years old and broke your arm. Maybe you have chickenpox scars from your childhood, or stretch marks from that 8th grade summer you grew 5 inches. No matter who you are, we all have scars and a story to go with it.

an Emotional scar is also referred to as a "soul wound"

What would you say if I told you that you've got emotional scars? Would that shock you? Or do you immediately see the face of someone who wounded, or betrayed you? Do you remember an instance where you felt deeply hurt? Chances are, the impact that person or circumstance had on your life left an emotional scar. This is what is known as a soul wound. Soul wounds are at the core of your emotional state; your mind, will, and emotions. Some emotional scars are on the surface and easy to recognize. Some may be so deep that you've suppressed the memory and you might require prayer for the Lord to reveal truth to you. Sadly, some emotional scars are self-inflicted by the way you speak about yourself. No matter what, we have all been scarred emotionally at some point in our life.

For many of you ,this damage might have even begun while you were in your mother's womb. Our words are powerful, and any expecting mother knows how important it is to talk to your growing baby. Unfortunately, when curses and hate are spoken over an unborn child; words like, "abortion", "disappointment" or "I don't want this child", can have an affect on who you are.

As we grow up, there are so many instances in life where people might abuse your trust, or hurt your feelings. These injuries, and scars to your emotional self have altered the original state or intent God had for you. When the Creator of the Universe sent you to earth, you were absolutely perfect. But due to the fallen world we live in, your soul was damaged at some point in your life. But don't worry, there is hope!

There may be damage to your SOUL, but the KEY to your freedom is TRUTH!

3 JOHN 1:1-4

1 The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, (YOU) whom I love in TRUTH:

2 Beloved, I PRAY YOU MAY PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH IN ALL THINGS, JUST AS YOUR SOUL PROSPERS.

3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the TRUTH that is in you, just as you walk in the TRUTH.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in TRUTH.

JOHN 14:6

6 I AM THE WAY, THE (TRUTH) AND THE LIFE

John 8:32

32 And you shall KNOW the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free.”

JOHN 8:36

36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

In order for your soul to prosper, you must know the truth of God's Word. This is where you find true freedom, because knowledge is power to overcome the enemy. Knowing what God's Word says about you, and how precious you are to Him can truly set you free from the damage done to your soul.

JESUS IS THE CLEANSING WATER TO WASH THE MUCK AWAY

A few years ago, the Lord gave me a dream concerning soiled wounds. In my dream, Eugene and I were walking down a gravel road, when suddenly, a stranger took a bucket full of manure and dirty water and just slung it all over us! We were obviously surprised and disgusted. We cleaned ourselves up and continued on our journey, when it happened again! Wham!

When I awoke, I knew The Lord was trying to tell me something. He revealed that, "Jesus is the cleansing water to wash the muck away." You see, the muck or "crap" that was thrown on Eugene and myself represents the damaging words that people say about us and can leave soul wounds. But, Jesus is the key to completely being healed from that damage. No matter how many times people try to throw "crap" on you, Jesus is always there to wash it away.

LUKE 4:18

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

This message is so simple, yet completely profound. Jesus is the only one who can heal the broken hearted and heal the scars we carry. Yes, even the secret ones only you know about. Nothing is hidden from the Father. He never intended those things to happen to you. He only wants good for his children.

That being said, we live in a fallen world, and sin hurt us all. No matter who you are, your sin has consequences. And when we sin, people get hurt. There is no way around it. Sadly, many of those who have hurt you were probably acting or reacting out of their own hurts and scars. No one is immune to this, but you do have a choice! Are you doing to hold on the the pain, un-forgiveness, bitterness, self-pity, and victim mentality or are you going to led Jesus heal your heart and clean the "crap" off of you? Choose to release the past, and let Jesus heal your heart.

Prayer

Father, I ask that you heal my heart. Heal the emotional scars that I carry. Forgive me for holding on to this damage for so long. Take this burden from me, and completely transform me; spirit, soul and body. I ask that you reveal any damage to my soul that I've tucked away and forgotten. I need your help, and ask that you wash me clean. Show me truth and make all things new in my life. I need you Jesus, and your cleansing touch. Make your presence real in my life. Help me forgive those who have damages my soul and left emotional scars.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.