My dad is a painter but not the afro Bob Ross type. He is a white pants wearing craftsman whose canvas is in houses and businesses. He started his career in painting before I was born, and one of my earliest memories is when he painted a house in 1978. As my dad painted the outside of the house, my brother and I tormented like kids do when they don’t want to be stuck at work with dad. 

We mulled around dad’s toolbox looking for some way to help the time pass by. There it was – a hammer! My brother and I spotted it at the same time, however, only one hammer could be found. It was a matter of speed and strength.  

Our eyes locked on the hammer while we both dialed up a strategy to overpower the other. We grabbed the hammer at the exact same time.   

My brother is two years older than I am, but I held my own until we reached a stalemate. We both gripped the hammer with resolve until my brother decided he would let go. The momentum of the hammer came in my direction, and then, it happened. The claw end of a 16 oz. hammer rammed into my chin.  

The good news? I got the hammer. The bad news? I got the hammer.  

I still have this scar 42 years later. It is a reminder to always win the foot race to retrieve the hammer!  

Scars are intriguing. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are physical. Yet, others are emotional, spiritual or relational.  

Scars can be a result of things we have done, or they can be a result of things done to us. 

Scars are unavoidable. They are either a badge of honor or of dishonor.  

Scars are rarely benign. It has been said, “Scars remind us of where we’ve been. They don’t have to dictate where we are going.” That’s worth reading again.  

Scars come from trauma. 

Health scare. Bankruptcy, Divorce. Job loss. PTSD. Abuse. Bad decision. Car accident.  

Diagnosis. Loss of a loved one. Victim of a violent crime. 

Signs of unhealed trauma.  

1. Avoidance.  
2. Re-living the events.  
3. Defeating thought patterns. 
4. Harming oneself intentionally.  
5. Being extremely alert or “on guard”  

Scars and trauma can either be a tool for our victory or our defeat. 

We cannot choose our trauma, but we can choose what we do after it.  

Time doesn’t heal all wounds, but Jesus can.  

Jesus is the fulfillment to what Isaiah prophesied. 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me 

for the Lord has anointed me 

to bring good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted 

and to proclaim that captives will be released 

and prisoners will be freed.  

2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn 

that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,  

and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. 

3 To all who mourn in Israel,  

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, 

a joyous blessing instead of mourning, 

festive praise instead of despair. 

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks 

that the Lord has planted for his own glory.  

Isaiah 61:1-3, NLT 

You matter. Get healing. 

Be a mentor. 

Find a mentor. 

Be a better man.