Some are bigger, some are smaller, some are more visible, and some are more hidden. Scars. We all have them. They can be emotional, mental, or physical but all hurt just the same. Unfortunately some scars get more attention, others get more sympathy, and others more stares. No one likes their scars but they are something we all have to come to terms with.
In Colombia my team lived at and worked with Ciudad Refugio (City of Refuge) Ministries. One of the biggest parts of their ministry is a drug restoration program that was modeled after Teen Challenge. During our month we had the privilege of working with the men and women of the program; men with the men and women with the women, for those wondering. While we were there five women were enrolled in the program. They had all been there for different lengths of time, anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months, and they ranged in ages from 19 to 52. Every morning we led the women in a bible study and then for the remainder of the day helped the women with their daily chores which included cleaning and food prep.
No matter their ages these women knew had lived hard lives. It broke my heart to hear their stories of addiction and the struggles that brought them to that point. One women in particular really captured my attention and my heart. Her name is Anna*, she was 24 and had been a part of the program for a month. Her addiction was clearly evident but the numerous scar and bruises that went from the knuckles on her hands all the way up to her biceps. She shared with me the shame she feels because the scars and how she often tries to hide them so people don’t stare. I told Anna the same thing I would tell anyone ashamed of their past or embarrassed by their scars; that God is blind to our scars and past because they are hidden in Jesus. That while they these things are not what God wanted for us in life that he will declare victory over them and then use them as a testimony to others so that they themselves won’t feel alone. And that there is nothing in our past and nothing even now that we can do that will make Jesus love us any less.
No one is immune to scars. I have known for many years now the more hidden scar that growing up without a dad left in my life. Scars of unacceptance and unworthiness. They are scars that I have had to come to terms with again and again. But we must overcome them or we let them define us. You can use all the Bio-oil or Vitamin E you want to make your scars lighter but they will never go away. They are there as a reminder of life. Let them remind you of your strength not your pain. Come to terms that they are a part of you but don’t let them become your identity. Learn from them and then show your scars to those with similar scars so that your story may be used to help others heal.
What scars do you have?
*Not her real name
