What makes us want to cover our scars? What is beauty...really?
Do you think you would you be safer from ridicule if your scars stayed hidden? Do you think you would you be or feel more accepted? No shade at all... Just food for thought. I know that most people would answer those questions, yes. But umm... I'm trying to figure out who set the standard for beauty? Who died and made anyone King or Queen giving them the authority to disown you if or when you're not perfect??? I mean what is and WHO is perfect? Exactly. 😒 I often see people who have been born with scars or even some who've obtained them over the years, work OVERTIME to cover them up when going out in public. I totally understand that the standard for what the world calls "beauty" these days basically means to be flawless. For example, in America, that is someone who is maybe fair skinned, acne-free, thin, fit, tall, and has pearly white teeth... But why is that?!
I truly think it's time for us to revisit the term "beauty". To be honest, most of what defines "beauty" isn't seen on the outside of someone. Beauty is pretty much any compilation of positive characteristics that make up a person. However, if we indeed included the external, would our scars REALLY make us less beautiful?! Let me help... the answer is: no.
I believe if we flipped our views and opened our eyes to recognize true beauty, we would change the way we live. If we would embrace ourselves and everything that happens to include, we would experience so much more freedom because we wouldn't be so worried about every little detail. Now granted, for some people, scars are reminders of some extremely tough times that are probably easier left buried, but on the flip side, think about all the promises of God that "scars" remind us of!
John 11:4 says, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (NKJV)
Psalm 73:26 says, "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever." (NLT)
I believe 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NLT) really captures the honor of outwardly showing scars. It says, "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies." So what I'm saying is that your scars are a part of your wonderful witness to others, showing how the good Lord has kept you, how He continues to keep you, and how He'll faithfully do it for the rest of your lives, too!
So. What am I trying to say?
Bottom Line (Dedicated to My Sister, Kayla): I've been privileged enough to see some of your scars. They give me life. To hear some of the stories and see a glimpse of where you've come from, and even to know that you could have been called to your heavenly home before I ever even got to meet you, but recognizing that you're still here because part of your assignment is to impact my life, is one of the absolute most uplifting things I have ever realized. I'm often in tears every time I see your "scars". Your scars show me how strong a person you really are and how incredible the God we serve is. Your scars show me how you got hit, once, twice, and even more times, but how you fought through!! And how you're still fighting through!! I get a front row seat to the life of a real warrior and I feel nothing but absolute honor when I see your scars. I salute you for not giving in when you could have just stopped fighting a long time ago. And if it's the last thing I do... as often as I can, I plan to remind you just how beautiful you and your scars truly are. I love you!
Listen To: I Am Beautiful
Artist: Candice Glover
Album: Music Speaks