It never fails. When you see someone with a crazy scar on their body, the first thing you ask is “What happened there?” It just gets your curiosity up. You know there’s a story to be told. Sometimes it was a bad cut from a kitchen accident. Sometimes a car accident, monkey bar accident on the playground as a child, etc. They immediately remember everything about that moment in life. It was serious. Most people remember every detail. They tell you how they got help and everything that took place in the healing process. Some had stitches. Some even had surgery. But one thing everyone has in common is the fact that this situation affected them deeply. They have the scar to remind them. Scars have a “story”. 

There are physical scars we can see with our eyes. What about the scars we can’t see? There are scars on the inside of people. The human heart is covered with scars if you’ve lived for very long. People don’t ask about them because they don’t see them. These are some of the deepest wounds and you feel like you have to deal with them alone. You could have made a bad decision that led to the scarring and you’re embarrassed to talk about it. Maybe you had something spoken about you as a child that really wounded you. Maybe a good friend betrayed your trust. These things hurt. They cut you to the core. Every time you think you’re getting past it, you pull the scab off only to have it start bleeding again. People can’t see it in the natural, but emotionally, it’s definitely there. It starts forming the way you view the world. You beat yourself up. You don’t want to trust people. You withdraw because you’ve been hurt. You try to fake it, put on a smile and pretend everything is fine. It’s not fine, my friend. These internal scars can mess you up. They have to be dealt with. But there’s great news! The Lord can and will turn your mess into a wonderful message if you allow Him. 

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬) God’s guarantee to His children is, He will help us. He’s the only One who understands the internal scars. He doesn’t want you carrying heavy baggage that you weren’t designed to carry. Those internal scars are there to be a reminder of what The Lord brought you through and an example for other people that He will do the same for them. They are not to be reopened over and over so you can camp emotionally there forever. Let Jesus use your story to help others in their time of need but don’t let those scars become your identity. God has more in store for you. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) We are truly overcomers through the mighty power of Jesus! Whether something happened fifteen years ago that has scarred you or you’re dealing with an opened wound right now, Jesus will heal you and use that pain for good. 

If you’re dealing with an internal conflict now, take it to The One who completely understands and sympathizes with your pain. He’s going to bandage your open wound. He will “doctor” you like nobody can. “I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord.” (‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬) He just wants you to rest while He takes care of you. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬) He understands. If nobody else seems to, He does. He went through EVERYTHING we, as people, have to go through. He understands you better than you even know yourself. You’re His craftsmanship. He loves you. 

At some point, the bleeding will stop and you will have been made stronger because of your trial. Then, He can use your story to help others in their troubled times. You may not believe this, but it’s true. “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬) This is how God draws His family closer to one another. We refresh others and He refreshes us. Your story could be exactly what someone needs to hear. When people feel alone, they need someone to come alongside them who’s been there. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to show someone your scars.

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.