Our dog was attacked recently by another dog in our neighborhood. One of the daughters in the home accidentally let out the dog. When he saw our dog, Maya, he ran straight towards her at full speed. My husband, John, thought this dog was like ours, excited to play, but that wasn't the case. Instead, the other dog was in attack mode and went straight for our dog's face! 

As soon as John realized what was happening, he picked up our 50-pound dog and began kicking at the other dog. He held Maya in his arms as he was fending off the aggressive attack. Fortunately, a family member from the house came and got the dog before any real damage could be done to John or Maya. Although John was obviously and understandably upset about the whole ordeal, when he got home, he did not have any wounds, and Maya had only minimal ones. 

As Maya's wounds have healed over time, there are scars from the attack, her cute face showing what she went through. When I pet her and see the physical proof of her attack, I am reminded of how well my husband protected her and how he picked her up without hesitation or care for what the dog might do to himself. Just as John instinctively shielded our dog in an amazing, loving, and selfless way, God also protects us.

Yet, when God picks us up to shield us and keep us from harm, his shelter and care are infinitely more complete, significant, just, and gracious than we can imagine, just as his heart is more loving and caring than we can grasp. Does knowing that God protects us mean that we aren't hurting? Of course not. Does knowing that our wounds are now scars mean that we are over what caused our pain? Of course not, but we can be confident that God is with us and will give us strength and courage.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (NIV)

Deuteronomy 3:16

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (NIV)

Isaiah 41:10

Seeing Maya and her scars has reminded me that wounds can be beautiful reminders of God's protection, redemption, grace, and mercy. We, too, go through things in our lives that leave scars. Some things we do on our own, actions done in rebellion against God, or the sound and wise advice of people in our lives. Other things, however, are out of our control, leaving deep scars that, no matter how long time passes, are still clear reminders of painful experiences.

Tragedies like death, divorce, addiction, lost friendships, abuse, and health issues are only some of the things in life that permanently affect us and how we see the world. While others can not see these scars, they are still there. Yet, there is hope despite our wounds. Our scars become part of our individual stories, the pain and joy, the good and evil, the plentiful and the scarce, the hollow and the whole.

Our scars can also have a purpose! They can help us see the healing that has happened over time while encouraging us to grow and learn from our mistakes. They can also guide us to comfort each other, especially people who have gone through what we have.

The words in 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 show us that there is a purpose to our pain.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (NIV)

Although there are things in life that permanently affect us, we can find lasting comfort and peace in knowing that God loves us, all of us, including our scars. When we no longer see our scars as terrible things that happened to us and can see them as times when God met us where we were, those reminders no longer seem ugly, nor do they take away from our beauty. Instead, they are, in and of themselves, beautiful.  

Discuss, think, and pray:

Do you view your scars as ugly reminders of pain or beautiful stories of healing?

What are some events in your life that have led to scars?

Have you helped or been helped by others who have gone through similar life experiences?

Is there someone God is calling you to reach out to?