Does time really heal all wounds? I have been asked this question on several occasions, and my answer is no. While some wounds can and do get better with time, they often leave scars that serve as reminders of the past. We may not be constantly aware of these scars but, from time to time, some sort of trigger (a smell, a sound, a place, etc.) causes us to become more fully aware of that scar and it becomes painful again for a time.
Trauma is not just some event that happened in the past. It is also an experience that is left in the mind, spirit, and sometimes on the body. Trauma affects the whole person in mind, body, and spirit. While physical injuries tend to be measurable, emotional and spiritual injuries are not. I am not suggesting that physical wounds aren’t as serious or long-lasting as emotional and spiritual ones. However, the wounds we can’t see sometimes have the most devastating long-term effects. Even when much healing has taken place, some scars of trauma are left behind.
Healing does not happen in an instant.
There is oftentimes no definite end to emotional and spiritual healing. Healing is ongoing. It takes time. How we feel pain and how we heal from pain changes as time marches on. Of course, we all want to find an immediate answer to every issue we face. The reality is that our pain and sadness are not just going to go away and leave no reminders. Our wounds leave behind scars.
Although they do not need to define us, each of our scars (big or small) tells a story.
One of the most beautiful parts about healing is being able to look back and see where we’ve been and then realize how far we’ve come. Yes, scars are there and sometimes they are painful. Our scars remind us of the battles we have fought. They remind us of our faith, the hope that has urged us forward, the patience it takes to heal, and the courage, strength, and resilience that comes from uniting our pain to Our Lord.
God can work through our wounds to bring hope and healing to others.
He can truly be glorified through any hardship that we endure. We can also bring others to God through our scars. Remember that Jesus invited St. Thomas (“doubting Thomas”) to touch His wounds. Consider Our Lord’s nail-pierced hands and feet, the wound in His side, the wounds of the scourging all over His sacred body, and the crown of thorns that pierced His precious head. Those wounds bring us hope! The wounds of His sacrifice redeem us. They bring us hope, peace, and freedom.
“By His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Scars are actually kind of neat when you think about it! Think about a physical wound and how our skin comes together to heal it. It’s amazing! In the same way, our hearts and minds can be healed and delivered from the darkness that has bound us. Our scars also have the unique ability to help others. No matter what our scars may be – whether they are from sin or pain from no fault of our own – God has the power to use our scars for good. We have the ability to invite God into our hearts and into our wounds so that He may heal them and make them radiantly beautiful.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 14:3
There is beauty in our scars and in our brokenness. Our scars have value. Whether our scars are of the body, mind, or spirit, they do not have to define us. There may be pain in our suffering but there is also hope, beauty, and restoration. Your scars are proof that God heals. Allow Him into your heart and He will heal your wounds. Let your scars be a reminder of that healing.
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