I have never met a person who didn’t have scars. Most have at least one or two physical scars, and many have a few emotional ones too.
Scars aren’t pretty.
They don’t generally remind us of a happy moment. In fact, scars are almost always associated with pain, tragedy, and maybe stupidity.
Most would tell you they’re not proud of their scars, but scars tell a story.
I can tell you how I got the scar in the middle of my forehead as a kid. I can show you the scar over my right eye that I got when my little brother threw a glass bottle at me in anger. The scar on the inside of my thigh is from a surfboard fin. (That’s a hilarious story.) And you’ll probably never see the scars I have from a couple of surgeries.
Scars happen. They just do.
And it’s okay.
I’m not saying the injury or pain you suffered doesn’t matter. It does. I’m certainly not saying you should go out and try to collect some new scars! Please don’t.
But what if you started to see your scars a bit differently?
- As a lesson learned
- As a reminder embraced
- As a point—dare I say it?—of thanksgiving rather than of anger or regret.
What if that scar on your foot reminded you that Jesus has always walked every step of your journey with you?
What if that scar on your heart reminded you of the closeness of our Father when you were broken?
What if that self-inflicted scar on your wrist or forearm reminded you of a loving Savior who never turned His back on you even in your darkest moment?
What if that scar in your soul acquired as a parent, pastor, or leader reminded you that God is faithful even when you blow it?
Evidently, Jesus digs scars.
He kept His. He didn’t have to keep the scars He got from the cross, but He did. He showed them once to a doubting follower named Thomas, and it changed Tom forever.
Your scars have changed you. That’s an unavoidable fact. Whether they result in something you choose to be thankful for or not is up to you.
I pray you choose to be grateful for the scars that tell a bit of your story and of God’s story of mercy, grace, and power working in and through your life.
God answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you,
and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.”
So I will celebrate my weaknesses,
for when I’m weak I sense more deeply
the mighty power of Christ living in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (TPT)
Thank you kurt , for reminding me that my visible and invisible scars are a reminder of the strength, courage, and perseverance God has given me to survive my life. Thank you Jesus for saving me from myself and giving me all of my 2 nd chances. They’ve molded me, taught, brought me to whom I am. ” trying to thrive” not just survive. Peace to you brother kurt.
I have so many scars from many surgeries. Thanks for putting them in a new prospective. I will wear them proudly? I thank Jesus for keeping his so that we will always know his great sacrifice for us.
Thank you Kurt, I needed this so much. It shined some hope back into my life. The scars inside heart from my suicide attempt many years ago reminds me how much God loved me that he didn’t let me go. He uses my scars to share as part of my story to share with others.
Kurt your words have encouraged me and helped shape my scars. Thank you! To accept my story and share in the suffering of Jesus is transforming me. Really it has been because of you saying, scars are a story am I excepting things I have buried. Keep on preaching!
Isn’t it interesting that scars stay with us the rest of our lives? They really are a reminder of the experiences that shape the person we are. I think God wants us to remember so we will be grateful for all He has brought us through, and I think He wants us to share our stories to help others.