Have you ever had someone tell you to embrace your scars or to cover them up so tightly that no one will ever see?

In January, I shared with the world one of my greatest scars. It’s a scar that still hasn’t completely healed and I don’t know if it ever will. It’s not a scar that I’m proud of. I wish I could go back to being an innocent child and prevent the scars from ever happening. But I don’t own a time machine. It’s impossible to go back. The only way for me to live with the scars is to embrace them.

I chose to cover up those scars for over a decade. Sure, I told my closest friends a little earlier than everyone else, but I was still ashamed. I thought I was partly to blame for the scars. I thought I should’ve known better.

I was young and innocent and within minutes my life changed forever. I can never go back to not knowing things that I was supposed to wait until marriage to learn.

If you haven’t read the post I’m talking about from January, here it is: https://lemonade-co.com/2020/01/14/my-metoo-story/

You may have scars greater than mine or it may not compare. I’m not here to compare scars. We all have scars. It doesn’t matter the size.

Some may never be ready to talk about their scars. Some may seek pity. Some may just be brave enough to speak up.

I’m not calling myself brave, but I do hope in talking about my scars that even if one girl or guy gains the courage to speak up. Or if I’m of some encouragement to them in any way, it will be worth it.

I don’t love rehashing everything that happened. My wounds still hurt. I still feel some bitterness towards the perpetrator. I wish there could be some justice for him this side of Heaven.

But God has me in this exact place, in this exact corner of the Internet for a reason. I only have to give account of my own actions to God and no one else’s. I don’t want to stand before God saying how I wasted my life living in bitterness or anger.

God allows me to have these scars for a reason. While, I don’t know what that reason is yet, I have to be open and willing to be used of God in whatever way He sees fit. He didn’t create me to be selfish. He created me to give Him all the honor and glory through all that He does.

I’m not giving God all the glory when I choose to not embrace the scars. When I choose to cover and hide away, I’m only hurting myself and whatever amazing things that God has for me.

It’s not easy to just fully embrace something that has caused some hurt in our lives. It takes time. It’s a journey. A journey that we don’t have to take alone.

God simply asks us to call out to Him. We just have to have faith the size of a mustard seed. While trusting in Him and following His leading, we get to watch the miracles that God can and will do in each of our lives.

We just have to be willing to embrace the scars. Even if we don’t want to. No matter how hard it sounds, it will be worth it. Only good can come from embracing the scars and letting God use the scars for good.

Ask God for strength. He is our strong tower. Our refuge.

Go to God. Spend time with Him. Prepare your heart for the battle that will come your way. Satan wants you to feel defeated. He wants you to be ashamed of the your scars. Don’t fall for his tactics.

Determine to let God use your scars for His glory. You never know what amazing things He can do through you.

Jer. 29:11

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Prov. 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”