Wounds Heal But Sometimes There Are Scars

Have you ever experienced some kind of pain or trauma in the past but have since recovered and healed from that? Do you have reminders, triggers, or stimuli that bring that past pain up again? Does that mean that you aren’t completely healed? Not necessarily. Personally, I don’t think that this automatically means that you aren’t fully healed. Now, as a disclaimer, let me say that this most certainly could be the case, and that some healing might still be in process (as healing IS often a long process, especially when wounds are deep or trauma is severe). However, I also believe that there are times when wounds heal, but sometimes there are scars left behind.

Even after healing, there may be times when we still experience some subsequent pain. There might even be some external or internal triggers to prompt further pain or remind us of an old injury. There may be some additional healing and recovery to be done. Then again, it may just be a scar serving as a reminder of a wound that once was there.

Let me give you an analogy…an old basketball injury

Several years ago my husband, Eric, completely damaged his ACL and meniscus in his knee. “Obliterated” was the precise word the doctor used. Eric experienced excruciating pain at the time of the injury, and the pain lasted for quite some time. He eventually had surgery replacing and repairing parts of his knee, yet afterward he still experienced some pain for a while during the recovery process. He also had ongoing physical therapy for a while. Again this was all still painful, but the pain gradually diminished as his wound healed.

Though he now has permanent scars, over time the knee was completely healed and the pain was completely alleviated. However, it’s odd because there are times when the weather might trigger a flare up of pain in his knee at the scars. Even though the injury is healed, there is a trigger for pain from time to time. The pain doesn’t last indefinitely, and experiencing pain again doesn’t negate the fact that his injury is completely healed. Nevertheless, because of the old injury he just still suffers from subsequent pain on occasion even after healing, and sometimes there are external triggers that might cause a renewed temporary discomfort, ache, or soreness.

Additionally, because of the old injury and the initial pain affiliated with it, he tends to favor, protect, or guard that knee a little more. He wants to prevent that pain or that same or similar injury from happening again. That still doesn’t mean he’s currently experiencing pain or that it’s not healed. He just tends to be a little more cautious and careful—he’s more aware. He may even avoid some of the activities that were involved in the injury to begin with.

Wounds we experience, the scars left behind, and subsequent pain even after healing

Those closest to us, whom we love and who love us the most, have the opportunity and capacity to wound us and hurt us more deeply than anyone else. These kinds of wounds are severe and deep and often take the longest to heal. Complete healing is possible, but there are often scars left behind. Sometimes the scars are visible. Many times scars are internal.

Sometimes looking at the scars can spark hurtful memories, even though the wound is healed. Unfortunately emotional pain often hurts worse than physical pain. This temporary spark of pain isn’t ongoing, but in that moment the pain is familiar and remembered, almost as if we are transported back in time to the “scene of the crime” that caused the wound in the first place.

Like the weather to Eric’s knee scars, sometimes there are other triggers or stimuli that bring back memories of the pain. Again, that doesn’t mean that healing didn’t happen. It’s just that sometimes with a severe injury there are long-term effects. There are emotional scars. The triggers don’t mean the pain is back to stay. It’s temporary, but it’s still painful nonetheless (or at least a reminder of previous pain).

Additionally, because of the severe trauma experienced, we might even avoid situations, circumstances, places, and even people that were originally associated with that wound or things that led to causing that wound. Again, it doesn’t mean that healing hasn’t occurred. We’re just more guarded in order to avoid further injury, like Eric is more cautious with his knee now.

Even Jesus has scars

Scars are not a mark of defeat or weakness or even permanent damage. Quite the contrary in fact. Scars can be a sign of victory, of overcoming, and in fact a sign that healing has indeed occurred. Even Jesus has scars.

“As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!” John 20:20 (NLT)

“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!” John 20:25-27 (GNT)

Jesus’ scars most definitely do not indicate that he was defeated. Jesus scars are a sign of victory over Satan. It’s BECAUSE of Jesus’ scars, and the work that he did on the cross in getting those scars, that we are saved, healed, and restored.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)

Jesus’ scars are a reminder of what he did for us. May we never forget the scars of Jesus. Let them always be a reminder of what WE did to him and the pain we caused. Yet remember that he willingly took the pain and scars because of his unexplainable love for us.

The enemy’s lies

The enemy may try to lie to us and tell us, “You are not truly healed. Look at your scars. See the damage that’s still there. Your scars make you weak.” He tries to point to our scars like the weather triggering pain.

But just as it would be very silly for my husband to go back to his doctor and say, “You didn’t fix my knee! I’m not healed,” if the weather were to cause his knee some discomfort, it would be silly for us to buy into the devil’s lies and say, “You’re right. I must not be healed. Things might never get completely better. This pain will never go away.”

Instead, we need to see the scars as a sign of victory instead of as a sign of defeat. We need to let the scars distinguish us as a survivor and a victor and not a victim. We need to turn the devil’s lies around into a positive affirmation…

“These scars don’t mean that I’m not fully healed. These scars are just indicators of a previous wound that was indeed painful. Sometimes my scars are more visible. Sometimes triggers arise that cause temporary discomfort in these scars from time to time. However, none of this means that I am still wounded. I may be more guarded because of my previous injury, but I am no longer wounded. I am healed. These scars are a sign of my healing. They are a sign of victory. I am a survivor and a victor, not a victim. I AM healed!”

My scars are a sign of my healing. They are a sign of victory. I am a survivor and a victor, not a victim. I am healed.

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Take Some Practical Steps to See Scars Instead of Unhealed Wounds:

• First, let me say that sometimes subsequent pain DOES indicate a potential underlying problem and reveal unhealed areas. First determine, “Is this a wound or a scar?”

Do the work if more healing needs to take place or if you in fact DO have wounds that haven’t fully healed. This may require some introspection, prayer, and outside assistance. Seek support and even professional advice and help to assist you in your continued recovery. Sometimes unhealed areas might be uncovered and revealed, and it’s best to deal with them instead of covering them up or ignoring them.

• Secondly, see your scars as a sign of victory instead of as a sign of defeat. Let your scars distinguish you as a survivor and a victor and not a victim.

• Next, let your scars serve as a good reminder, not just a reminder of past pain.

Your scars can be a reminder of what happened and of your deliverance and even restoration. They can serve as a reminder of God’s ability to save and heal. Remember, the scars might still be there but the wounds are gone.

• Then, consider letting your scars tell a story.

Have you ever asked somebody, “How did you get that scar?” Typically, a detailed story immediately follows. Your scars could be an opportunity and an open door to tell about what God has done in your life and how he has provided healing, recovery, and restoration.

• Finally, look at Jesus’ scars. Let Jesus’ scars be a new trigger, a new sign that the work of healing and removal of pain has already been accomplished.

Do your scars tell a story? How have Jesus’ scars helped you with your own? Share it with us by leaving a comment below. You never know who you might help!

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “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.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)