In this latest season of life, which I refer to as “the sacred journey,” I’ve learned eight lessons scars teach us. How do you react to the parts of you that you don’t like? The parts you hope others don’t ever see? The battle scars you remain left with?

Everyone has a scar of some kind. Some are visible on the outside of our physical body, while some are hidden, tucked away in our heart.

It’s interesting how the enemy works. This photo was taken just after my cancer diagnosis, and before surgery or treatment began.

When I look in the mirror now, at first I don’t even notice my face. My attention is immediately drawn to the big ugly surgical scar from where cancer was resected. It’s long, misshapen, jagged, darker than the surrounding skin, and unattractive in the least.

The enemy would like me to hear, “You’re scarred.” “You’re wounded.” “You’re broken.” “You’re ugly.” The enemy always tries everything he can so that we focus on anything but our Master’s face, and to keep us from thinking on eternal things and God’s truth.

But Friend, Jesus came for my wounds (and yours). “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

The lies and truth behind our scars: 8 lessons scars teach us

1. Our scars signify we were in a battle.

I’ve had to reframe how I view those scars because scars signify we were in a battle, and there is no shame in that. My Heavenly Father looks at our heart and He is the only mirror that I need.

2. Scars reveal a wound that has been healed.

My scar tells a story of a promise, a purpose, and a testimony. But that story is still in process. One day it will tell the story of God’s healing, God’s goodness, His greatness, and His faithfulness, and that NO weapon formed against me shall prosper, in Jesus’s name. Scars reveal that there was once a wound that has since been healed.

“’I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 30:17).

3. Scars speak of God’s goodness and faithfulness as we rely on Him.

The greater the test, the more powerful the testimony. God will work through and speak forth from our lips to penetrate the hardest of hearts. The word of God must come down like a hammer to break up the fallow ground of hearts. My scars will speak of God’s goodness and faithfulness in a life that must rely solely on Him. God knows just what is necessary to bring out His choicest wine through our earthly vessel.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind” (Isaiah 58:8).

4. Scars show we are stronger than the thing that tried to hurt us.

God is the potter and we are the clay. We choose to yield and surrender though we may not understand why we are called to walk our particular journey’s path. The greater the yield and surrender of our hearts humbly before Him, the greater the power He can release throughout this clay earthen vessel to bring glory and honor to His name alone. Through the crushing, pressing, breaking, and tearing, He brings forth His choicest of new wine with a powerful testimony to His greatness at work in our midst. Our scars are beautiful proof that we are stronger than the thing that tried to hurt us.

5. Scars prove we are overcomers.

Jesus has scars too, and He is the most beautiful One. Religious rulers tried to kill Him, but Jesus’s scars are proof that He was stronger than the power of death. Scars are proof that the enemy’s attempt to steal, kill, and destroy us have failed. They are proof that truly, we are overcomers. Jesus still had His scars in His resurrected body as a testimony of His Father’s deep love for not only Him, but also all of us.

6. Scars serve as a testimony of faith, endurance, and perseverance.

Scars are a testimony of faith, endurance, and perseverance. Scars can be trophies if we allow them to be. They are physical testimonies of the power of our redeeming and saving Lord.

7. Scars remind us of what Jesus did for us.

While my scars are in a different location than Jesus’s scars, they serve as a reminder to me of the nails that pierced our Lord in order to pay for my sin. I have been redeemed by His blood, and those scars will forever be a reminder of what Jesus did for me.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

8. Scars show the price Jesus paid for our healing.

If we allow them to, our scars add to the beauty of God’s grace and love that radiate from deep within. His scars showed the price He paid for us. Our scars show the healing He bought for us. He bore our sicknesses and carried our diseases (Matthew 8:16-17). What some may only see as a scar, is God’s kingdom badge of honor.

The Japanese have an art form called Kintsugi, in which broken pottery is repaired with lacquer that has been mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum, and treats the breakage and repair as something to be revered rather than disguised and hidden. In doing so, they embrace the flawed or imperfect pieces rather than shaming or discarding them.

I’m so thankful that God doesn’t discard His flawed children. Scripture says we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all have scars from the battles we have fought in life. But God looks at us through the righteousness of a perfect savior.

I know I’m not the only one who has grievous wounds on the outside and the inside. Jesus came to save all of us and make us whole. Will you give Him your scars?

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

Prayer of Thanksgiving for our Scars

May I pray for you?
Father, I thank you for Jesus’s nail-scarred hands and feet. They are a reminder of your great love for us, that you would send your son to die for the forgiveness of our sin. You have promised to work all things together for our good and for your glory. Thank you, Father, that you never waste our pain, and that our scars will serve as a testimony to your goodness and faithfulness to us. Because of, and in the name of Jesus, Amen.