…Introspection Time with JBM
LATELY, I have been thinking a lot about scars of life. What motivated these thoughts was the reflection I have been having in a bid to tell my story.
I notice I have both physical and emotional scars and that most of the scars on my body I cannot even remember what really happened.
Reason being, most of them have even become invisible with the passing on of time. In other words physical scars tend to heal faster and easier depending on the extent of the wound. This is contrary to emotional scars which normally take a negative toll on our lives.
So while I was taking an inventory of some emotional scars in me, I realise most of them still have that sting, the pain that causes my eyes to well up in tears.
Experiences of injustice at the hands of my late fathers relatives who subjected my family to so much pain following his passing on years back.
Scars of being bullied at in school simply because I was an orphan. Scars of rejection by friends during my growing up due to serious poverty that surrounded me. Sometimes it is scars of being lonely emanating from self-isolation or sense of rejection.
Encountering scars of life continue throughout our lives right from childhood to adulthood.
Sometimes it can be scars of sexual abuse, child molestation, betrayal, conspiracy in your work place, experiences of fault finding, and disappointments from those you love among others. Emotional scars still exert a sting that paralyses one’s dreams and aspirations.
This resonates with most of my experiences where emotional scars still tend to influence some of the choices I make today. But here is life’s principle worth embracing:
It is until you make a decision to go against the tide or against what life dictates you to do that you allow the much needed healing.
It is a deliberate decision you make to either continue nurturing that wound or scar of life or it is time to let go.
In other words, as long as bitterness and forgiveness oozes out of those scars of life, it will continue to choke the hero in you. Emotional scars are a thief of our destinies and should not be allowed to define our present lives.
Yes that incidence or incidences occurred leaving you scared but it is time to let go. Forgive that perpetrator of pain in your life, that one who betrayed you or deceived you. Release that man or woman who abandoned you and caused you so much pain.
You can love again. You can soar to great heights again. God has His own way of pouring the healing once you let Him to. Gradually memories of the past and emotional scars begin to loose their sting.
I remember being deliberate about rendering material support each month to one of my late fathers sisters.
While she was an icon and reminder of pain I had to decide to do the opposite. The amount of relief and healing I started experiencing is indescribable.
Scars of life to me are also a symbol of the grace of God upon my life. A reminder of God’s faithfulness and sure assurance of His promises in our lives.
But allowing that pain of past scars to affect you today only hinder you from reaching your epic performance and influence.
According to Chris Witt’s, until we face up to our wounds and hurts of our past that we begin to see God pouring His encouragement and healing.
Remember, Psalms 34:18(NIV) reminds us that…. The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit….
For the next version of introspection Time with JBM, check Kalemba every Wednesday.
Author: Joan Beulah Mute, is a Lecturer in Research Methods, Sociology and Law and Ethics in Public Health at the University of Lusaka.
For feedback or reactions, email joanbeulah@yahoo.com or follow on Facebook @Joan Mwanza Mute and Twitter @JoanMute OR whatsspp me on 0966433373