On a recent episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective podcast, Maureen Miller shared about her devastatingly painful wound when she had dreamed of becoming a mother since early childhood only to have doctors report that short of the miraculous, she would be unable to conceive. She shared how she coped with her pain and her grief, and how God ultimately fulfilled her dream of motherhood through adoption (How to Let Go of a Broken Dream and Discover God’s Greater Plan – Episode 315). I’ve asked Maureen to share some of the lessons she has learned, and the promises that helped her as God transformed her painful wounds into beautiful sacred scars:

Every Scar Tells a Story: Bible Promises to Hold Onto While Your Story Plays Out
By Maureen Miller

Every scar tells a story.

That’s what I told our toddler as we tended her cut—an abrasion above her left eye, the result of running smack dab into the razor-sharp edge of her older brother’s snowboard.

“But it… it hurts,” she cried, and I repeated…

“Every scar tells a story, dear.”

***

I knew our daughter didn’t understand. After all, Allie was only three. She’d just joined our family several months prior, placed with us after the sudden passing of her caregiver, her maternal grandfather whom she affectionately called Papa Jimmy. Still, I spoke those four words aloud, as much for myself.

Because sometimes I need the reminder. It’s a truth I’ve come to believe concerning both my figurative and literal scars over fifty-five years.

Every Scar Tells a Story

Take the small scar on my lower abdomen. Its story began from hernia surgery when I, too, was a toddler. Even now, all these years later, I recall the fear of seeing an anesthesia mask coming toward my face. The loneliness of being in a sterile, plastic-covered crib in the hospital.

And what about the tiny, round scar on my forehead? Once upon a time, I stood on our neighbor’s porch swing to marvel at an orange and black woolly bear caterpillar inching its way across the pavement until… flip! The swing tipped over and I cracked my head. I remember feeling woozy, how my mom coddled me, worry etched on her face.

But what about the unseen scar left from a broken relationship, with trust damaged and a friendship over? It still aches, especially each birthday when I don’t get the once-familiar phone call or text telling me I’m loved, inviting me for lunch.

And then there are those unseen scars from two failed adoptions years ago—one in 1998, the other a decade later. After years of waiting for children, God brought us our brood through the miracle of adoption, but they didn’t come without some heartache. Our now 15-year-old daughter Allie, the one with the snowboard scar, arrived in 2012—fourteen years after our first attempt to add a daughter to our family, four years after our second.

The first child passed away not long after being returned to her biological momma, and the second now lives out west and is expecting her first child. Though she never became my daughter, we have a close relationship, and I can see how God worked everything out for our good, redeeming the heartache. As I’ve told our Allie too many times to count, “Had Kristie stayed, perhaps you’d never have arrived.”

Indeed. Each scar tells a story—a story of God’s mercy and grace for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). They offer opportunities for us to testify to that goodness—God’s faithfulness—as we share them with a too often hopeless world.

 

 

Bible Promises to Hold Onto While Your Story Plays Out

For those who bear the scars of fear and anxiety: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

For them who wear the scars of loneliness: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

For those who bear the scars of physical wounds: “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing… I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security” (Jeremiah 33:6).

For those who wear the scars of rejection: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

And for those who bear the scars of loss or the death of dreams: “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22).

 

 

As we allow our scars to speak, sharing their stories, we’re reminding others that there’s a loving God who never wastes a suffering, who makes beauty from our brokenness, bringing purpose from pain.

Moreover, we point others to the One whose scars speak most poignantly, who “…was pierced for our transgressions… crushed for our [sins]…” (Isaiah 53:5). Yes, it’s by Jesus’s wounds ours are healed, their scars possessing story-telling power to change lives.

And one day: “He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…” (Revelation 21:4).

***

“Momma, remind me again how I got this scar.” Our daughter’s finger traced the small notch just under her left eyebrow as she looked in the drop-down mirror, preparing to apply mascara.

“Ha, funny but powerful story.” I chuckled as I merged onto the highway, driving our sophomore to school. “Once upon a time, not long after you joined our family after Papa Jimmy’s passing….”

Yes, every scar tells a story.

What stories do your scars tell? We’d love to hear in the comments below!

 

Every scar tells a story - and God is still working behind the scenes. Read more to find hope in Bible promises that remind you your story isn't finished yet. Share on X Your scars aren't signs of defeat - they're reminders of God's faithfulness. Hold onto His promises while your story unfolds. Read more for encouragement. Share on X

 

***All scripture passages taken from the New International Version***

 

About Maureen Miller

 

Maureen Miller has been married to her childhood sweetheart Bill for 35 years. Together they have three born-in-their-hearts children and three grand-girls and share life on Selah Farm, a hobby homestead in western NC. She writes for Guideposts, her local newspaper, and several online devotion sites, and her debut novel, Gideon’s Book, is due to release later this year.

Connect with Maureen: Website / Facebook

 

 

 

 

Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise that Your Pain is Not Wasted

 

We all endure trials, pain, and hardship in this life. Too often we believe these experiences disqualify us from being useful to God. But the truth is, your past pain and brokenness serve as preparation for what God wants to do in and through you – if you will surrender to and trust him.

Just as Jesus’s scars didn’t disappear after his resurrection, our emotional or physical scars tell our story and lend credence to our testimony of God’s love and power. If you are ready to turn your past pain into present comfort and future hope, let Dr. Bengtson be your compassionate guide.

Find out more and order here: Sacred Scars