How Beautiful Scars Can Be

Ever look in the mirror and not like what you see?

Of course you have, who hasn’t.  Even the most beautiful of people in the world have those days where they just are not happy with who is looking back at them.

Do you have scars that you try to hide?  Whether physical or emotional scars, unless you have spent your life in a bubble you have them.  People spend hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars to cover up and conceal their scars and preserve their self-image.

As men we usually depict scars as being character building and proof that we are still living, yet in the privacy of our own homes we look at them with shame,  guilt and embarrassment.  We will boast about how we got them, yet we will usually try to cover them up and hide them.  Ever turn away from a picture so it only gets your good side? Or wear long pants in the summer or a hat to cover up the visible scars that represent your mistakes.

Guess what, scars are meaningful, they tell a story, they are the  proof of  all that you have been through and yet you are still standing.  No longer are scars a sign of weakness or shame, they represent the life you have lived and you have made it to the other side of the pain

There were scars taken for you over two thousand years ago that wiped away your shame. Thirty-nine stripes were laid upon the back of a man who bore all the guilt and pain for all mankind.  The hands that held nails pierced through and through now hold onto you in your daily struggles.  He showed his scars that others would believe in him, it is time that you believe in you as he believes in you.

We were each made in the image and beauty of Him, how then can we feel shame or guilt shown in the form of a scar?  These scars are left as reminders of who we were, not who are or who we are becoming.  Own your scars see the beauty they contain, build upon your hurt and mistakes and use them to build a better future for you in Him.  True beauty is beyond skin deep and even as men it is that beauty that we seek.

So as we enter into the season of Lent, no matter what your faith or level of belief.  If we as men take the time to look into the mirror beyond the scars and the pain.  See deep within ourselves and seek His face within our own appearance.  When you  look to others no longer  focus on their scars or their sin, but yet the broken beauty within.

I challenge each of you to over the next few weeks, focus on being a little less self-absorbed and  self-loathing and try to focus on the gifts you have been given.  As men of faith we set the bar for everyone else to follow, set it as one of reassurance, courage and accepting each other for who we are including our scars.

Chalk up your scars as proof that you have lived, not as a saint but as a sinner that has stumbled and fallen  but gets back up and tries again.  We  carry our own crosses and feel burdened by its weight,  that only makes us stronger and more beautiful in His eyes.

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” 
― Kahlil Gibran

Make it your own personal journey over the next few weeks  to lift up those that are downtrodden.  It is time we speak up for those that have been bullied into submission.

As men of faith we are to turn the other cheek and give up our cloaks for the least of these. You never know, just by showing God’s Grace to someone else you may be the only scarred beauty that they see today.

I look forward to you sharing about your scars and the stories behind them in the comments below.

Blessings,

CJ