Beauty Scars
If you’ve been reading my blog for the last couple of weeks, you know that I’ve been on a “beauty” theme lately. Well, I’m back with another one.
I’ve been telling you guys that beauty is so much deeper than what’s on the surface. I believe that what I’m going to share today, will be the most significant, as it relates to inner beauty.
When you see a physical scar, by definition, it’s a mark left by a wound, sore, or burn. It’s something that is visible to the eye.
But, what about the scars you can’t see with the naked eye? The internal scars. The ones nobody can see, but you.
Some physical scars can be covered, or masked, as to not draw attention to them. We try to conceal our scars. The same can be said for our internal scars.
No one is exempt from scars. Everyone has experienced some level of hurt, pain, trauma, or misfortune.
Over the course of our lives, many seeds have been planted into our minds. These seeds could’ve been planted by something that was done, or said to us.
Even the silence of what wasn’t said to us throughout our lives, can plant seeds that we never even knew were there. Big or small, inner scars can come in many forms.
I believe that every internal scar has a place of origin. Like you, I’m not exempt from scars either.
So here’s my truth.
I shared with you guys before that as a child, seeds were planted that caused me to dislike how I looked, especially the melanin of my skin.
In my early twenties, I began to find identity in the outside beauty. As someone who hated how I looked for so long, as I began to embrace, and love my complexion (and my body…that’s a whole other story in itself) in my early twenties, it quickly turned into vanity.
How I looked, and dressed, became the most important thing to me. Looking back now, I can see that physical beauty became so important to me then because, I was finally getting “attention” that I had never gotten before. Finally, people were noticing me.
Little did I know then, that it was definitely the wrong kind of attention. This wanted “attention” led to so much heartache. I started to find my identity in men. Every relationship left me hurt, wounded, and empty.
I started asking questions like, “Why aren’t I enough?” The moment I knew that I would be a single parent was devastating for me. I remember thinking, “Whose going to want me now?”
Feelings of self-hatred, and insecurity wounded me deeply. Over time, that wound had developed into a scar, because those wounds never completely healed.
Fast forward years later, when God sent my husband, I didn’t know that the residue of those scars were still there.
What I shared is just one of many scars. I’m sure if I passed the mic(it’s invisible … just play along), many of you would have your own “scar stories” too.
“The beautiful thing that God revealed to me is that, not one thing in my life is by coincidence. There is purpose behind everything, even the hurt, heartache and trials.”
Your story may not be my story. Your scars may be due to a number of things. Maybe you’re going through a divorce right now, or grieving the loss of someone you love.
Maybe you’re dealing with the trauma of abuse, facing a major financial loss, or battling depression because of a miscarriage, or any number of things.
What I didn’t share yet, is that the pain of the wounds that left me scarred, led me to Christ. That scar, amongst others, shaped me into who I am today. This blog wouldn’t exist today, if it weren’t for my experiences that led me here.
I know how it feels to look like you have everything “all together” on the outside, and at times when you’re around people, something is screaming on the inside of you saying🗣…
“Does anybody see me??!”
“Can anyone see these SCARS??!”
“I’m hurt and I’m broken.”
“I just need someone to see me!!!”
Well, guess what? God see’s you! He wants to turn your pain into purpose. He wants to heal your wounds, and use them to help those around you. Don’t be ashamed of your scars. Don’t “conceal” them.
You may be able to hide them from people, but you’ll never be able to hide them from your Heavenly Father, who loves you dearly. There is no wound that God cannot heal.
As far as the rest of my story goes, I had to allow God to heal my wounds. This was a process. It didn’t happen overnight.
So, I’ll ask you again…
The beauty of your pain, your broken heart, your battle, is that God wants to use it for His glory. The beauty is that He can take something that seems like the worst pain of your life, and turn it into a beautiful love story.
Don’t allow your pain to make you bitter, or cause you to give up hope. Let your pain push you closer to destiny. Through your process, you’ll find that you were never alone, and that God was with you every step of the way.
Today’s Prayer:
God, I thank you for my life. Help me to draw closer to you, and see from your perspective. I know that nothing that has happened in my life has taken you by surprise. I’ve been hurt, and I’ve been wounded. I give you permission to heal me from the inside out. Begin to show me any areas in my life where I’ve been wounded that you want to heal. God show me the beauty of my scars, and how you want to use it for your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.
Today’s Readings: Matthew 11:28-30; Psalms 147:3
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT): “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Psalms 147:3 (NLT): “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”