Scars: God's memorials

Scars are often referred to as beauty marks, a term that I’ve always found a bit humorous. Let’s be honest—a scar isn’t usually something we’d describe as visually appealing. Yet, when we reflect on the stories behind our scars, their significance becomes clear. Each scar tells a story of survival, resilience, and healing.

To look at me physically, you might not immediately see many scars. I have a couple of small ones—one on each knee, a faint mark near my collarbone, and another tiny scar on my right pinky finger.

One of the most prominent scars I carry is a nine-and-a-half-inch incision on my back. It’s from surgery to stabilize my vertebrae after my accident. This scar represents a pivotal part of my recovery—a time when I had to trust the skill of surgeons and, even more importantly, the divine guidance of God to get me through. It’s a physical reminder of what I’ve endured and how far I’ve come.

May 2010, Angel Oak, Charleston, SC

When I think about this scar, I’m reminded of the truth in God’s Word: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

While scars may not fade entirely, they testify to the healing that has taken place. They serve as marks of survival, endurance, and the grace that carried us through the pain.

But beyond these visible marks, my body holds other subtle signs of what I’ve endured. The sound of my voice, altered by my journey, could be called a scar. To me, the change in my voice is most obvious—perhaps due to months of non-use, the trauma itself, or both.

The last joint on the ring finger of my right hand doesn’t fully straighten anymore, another small physical remnant of the accident.

And yet, even with these marks, someone looking at me wouldn’t see the full story. They tell the story of battles fought, pain endured, lessons learned, and the grace that has carried me through. My physical scars may be few, but my life bears many other kinds of scars - emotional, mental, and spiritual.

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

Scars Beneath the Surface

Some scars aren’t visible, yet they run deep. Emotional and mental scars are like peeling an onion: there are layers upon layers. Each one tells a story of struggle, survival, and eventually, growth.

Fear is often one of the deepest layers. Fear is very real, and most people experience it—fear of the unknown, fear of the future, fear of failure. But the Bible reminds us over and over again to fear not. Fear is of the devil. God does not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is torment, but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

I don’t want to fear what’s ahead or what I might not know, because fear is not of God. When fear creeps in, I’m reminded to run to Him, knowing He is my refuge and strength.

Healing Does Not Mean Forgetting

For a long time, I worried that striving to heal and move forward might mean forgetting what I had been through and my pre-wreck life. I feared that regaining what I had lost could erase the lessons those struggles had taught me.

But healing is not forgetting. It’s about honoring the past while embracing the future. Moving forward doesn’t diminish the scars—it transforms them into testimonies of God’s faithfulness.

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Healing allows us to carry the lessons of the scars with us, not leave them behind. Through every scar, God has taught me that the lessons learned in the valleys are just as valuable as the triumphs on the mountaintops.

Lessons in the Valleys

It’s easy to long for mountaintop moments, but life is often shaped in the valleys. I’ve come to see that God doesn’t allow battles to break us—He allows them to make us. Scars teach us lessons that no one can take away. They remind us of battles fought and lessons learned, and those experiences shape us.

Even before my accident, I clung to the saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” In the years since, I’ve seen how true that is. My scars—visible and invisible—remind me daily of God’s faithfulness.

I’ve often joked with friends that God must think I’m Wonder Woman because of the challenges He’s allowed in my life. Yet the Bible promises that “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

If life were always on the mountaintop, how could we truly appreciate victory if we’d never felt defeated? The sweetness of triumph is found in the valleys we’ve endured. Through those dark moments, God strengthens us, refines us, and prepares us for something greater.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2-3)

2017

God’s Faithfulness in Every Scar

Scars, whether they’re physical, emotional, or spiritual, are part of our story. They’re evidence of battles fought and won, reminders that we’ve survived. Each scar, whether physical or emotional, is a testament to His grace and strength. They remind me that I am never alone and that God’s plan is always for my good.

If you carry scars—visible or unseen—remember that they are not the end of your story. They are a part of the beautiful testimony God is writing in your life.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Scars as Testimonies

The funny thing about scars is that they stick with you. In my experience, they may fade over time, but they never go away completely. And perhaps that’s the point. Scars can serve as powerful tools to share our testimony with others, offering evidence of God’s faithfulness and provision.

This reminds me of the account in the Old Testament when the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River. Joshua instructed them to take 12 stones and set them up as a memorial. The stones weren’t just for decoration—they were to spark conversations. When future generations asked, “What mean ye by these stones?” the Israelites would have an opportunity to say, “Let me tell you about the time God brought us through the Jordan River.”

“That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord... and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.” (Joshua 4:6-7)

In the same way, our scars are like those memorial stones. They are not meant to be hidden away or kept secret. They are reminders of the battles we’ve faced, the victories we’ve won, and the faithfulness of God through it all. We’ve survived so that we can proclaim loudly to others: “Let me tell you what I’ve endured and how God brought me through.”

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)

Our scars testify not just to our resilience but to the glory and power of the One who made us overcomers. Let’s use them as opportunities to share His goodness and give Him the praise He so rightly deserves.

So, whether physical or emotional, scars are proof that we’ve endured challenges and emerged stronger on the other side. They remind us of God’s faithfulness in carrying us through trials and transforming our pain into purpose. In that sense, scars truly are beauty marks—visible reminders of the beauty of God’s redemptive work in our lives.

Do you have scars?

Be encouraged. 🧡

                        Give this perfect pairing a listen 🎵 Scars