Your Scars Are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of Your Past

by Sharon Jaynes

Physical scars represent a story, a moment in one's life, and they show others that there is a history of healing. Noted author Sharon Jaynes shares with women how their internal scars—marks from past hurts and mistakes—also represent a story of restoration. With empathy, personal insight, and a best friend's gentle spirit, Sharon helps readers: Encouraging chapters, inspirational stories, godly wisdom, and a Bible study guide lead readers to give their wounds to the One who sees their beauty and who turns hurts into hope.

Genres: Christian, Faith, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

Reviews

[Rachel Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

During a really rough time in my life, I was given this book to read. Not usually a fan of non-fiction books, I was a little reluctant to pick it up. I find God speaks to me through novels far more than any factitious book I have ever read (apart from the Bible). However, I was desperate for a change in my life and quite willing to try anything. I found myself to be surprisingly refreshed. It really changed my thinking about my past and what I thought should be kept hidden from everyone. It allowed me to see all my hurts and wounds as precious, as a positive thing that could be used to help others... I could effectively use all my failures as a springboard to go to the next level in God rather then getting stuck in the valley of despair.

I found myself wanting to read this book over and over just to make sure I gleaned every last possible little treasure and insight into my memory for future reference. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever been through a hard time in their life, has struggled with past hurts or simply wants to better know the One who was scarred so we could become free.

[Hilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An "awesome" book by an "awesome" author. I just love the way this book makes one come to the realization that "our scars" things of the past that have wounded us deeply are not something to be hidden away in secret, but to be shared so that others can learn and be healed also.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins and our hurts. There is no reason to run or hide from "our wounds". We must confront the past in order to move forward to the life we were made to live, by the one who bared all "wounds" so that we might be saved and made whole.

Wonderful story! I just loved it and it is on my keeper shelf to be read again and again. :)

[Karen Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Jaynes truly has a gift for writing and touching people's hearts. I not only read this book over and over for its valuable truths and lessons, but purchased several additional copies for people as gifts. This is one of those few books that I will actually quote to people because I learned so much from it. Even the title was perfect - and the story from which it is drawn from will both warm and break your heart at the same time! Anxious to read more from this author.

[Johanna Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend this book, especially to anyone who's been hurt. It covers a lot of ground, using all Biblical references, which I think is incredibly powerful. Jaynes speaks like an old friend instead of using big words that might feel like they're blaming. She comes down to our level and speaks to the reader as a sister in Christ.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real eye-opener for me. It totally relates to my life. I have scars both inside and out. Sharon Jaynes did a tremendous job of making me see that my scars really are beautiful in His eyes. This book encouraged me to share my scars to those who have had similar experiences.

[Melissa Omolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an amazing read indeed.....It's about time I completely dealt with the demons of my past.If not they will completely haunt my present....I have come to learn that it's normal for bad things to happen to good people and it's a way for God to show Himself and His healing power in my life.I shouldn't depend on my own mind to figure life out!After God has healed me and restored me, I should not keep it to myself and let the whole world know!Someone going through what I went through may be encouraged to trust God like I did to heal my past pains and hurts.The more silent I stay about my testimony, the more the Devil has a foothold in my life and has the key to my heart!Trials are meant to refine me and make me strong!My vision is clarified in hard times.My perspective of God is broadened in my hard times!When God is all I have , He is all that I will ever need.It's hard to minister to others and disciple them when I am not completely honest with my life and being real with them.I am challenged to read the Bible cover-to-cover to read stories of amazing people who have been hurt and how God kept them through their hurts and persevered.I am expected to be fruitful in my time of suffering.I have learnt how to be at peace with the people who hurt me in the past by not seeking revenge but forgiving them. Unforgiveness can really feed on my anger and it's important for me to release it.Forgiveness is my path to freedom.I cannot be bitter and better at the same time.As Ron Gibson of Preachers of LA stated," I should not let my setbacks to make me sit back." God can use my pain to minister to others.It's not only preaching the gospel but also sharing my personal stories.Cause we all love stories. I was greatly challenged to worship God in my hard times like Job did.... "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship"-Job 1:20 (NIV)
I have learnt that it is good for my health to find someone at least one person I can be completely honest with about my life.This person must be a person who loves me unconditionally no matter what.True friendship promotes healing.Due to my hurts of the past that were inflicted on me, that may cause me to feel unworthy and disqualified to serve God.In my weaknesses,I am made strong.Nobody ever deserved to serve God in the first place even during the times of the Bible.I am qualified to serve after having a repentant heart to God for my misdeeds.God is the ultimate judge and ultimate qualifier!God will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.The world would be a much better place if we were a bit open and honest to one another about our struggles, we would help each other and grow more so we can stop judging one another.I shouldn't keep silent about the past ,if I do it will never disappear.I will get rid of my burdens if I expose them.I should be sensitive about the people I expose in my stories.I should respect them.I should do everything in love.There is power in speaking about my past.It doesn't matter what I have been through.My scars are beautiful to God!

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Jaynes is an excellent speaker, Author.
" There are many purposes for the scars of our past. Our understanding of God's character is broadened, our
faith is strengthened, our character is matured, our souls are purified, our vision is clarified, our passions are
enflamed and our hearts are softened."
This was another great book, that I highly recommend. I will re-read this book.

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and uplifting book.

[Heather Karow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has gotten me through some really tough times in life. It's a very reassuring book that reminds you that you are important and God is always near.

[Donnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Took me through so many wounds to turn to scars for the glory of God.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book, but more importantly, I learned a great deal from reading it! I came across it at our church library. I passed it by with the thought, "I don't need to read this." I looked around, but I kept coming back to this book. I thought God must want me to read this for a reason, so I checked it out. I loved it so much, i bought 2 copies, one for myself so I can do the study in the back & another copy to share.

[Shawna Renteria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't get what I wanted from this book, but it was still a good read. I found this to more of a book of people telling their past scars and how it helped them for their future and their relationship with God. If that was what I went into the book expecting I think I would have been more happy in my reading experience, but I was looking for biblical teaching. I got snippets of that teaching, but I wanted more.

[Mallory]

I read about 4 full chapters, skimmed the rest. There isn't anything wrong with this book and I think it would really be a help to people who are going through a difficult situation or who have not reconciled the scars and traumas of their past. It didn't fit where I'm at right now and I've read other books on suffering that have been more suitable. I would feel comfortable recommending it to someone or giving it as a gift even without having finished it.

[Aniqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I love the way Sharon writes. She is an amazing writer.

[Denise Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational book on how to overcome shame by sharing your story. Talked about physical and emotional scars. God accepts us scars and all. Disappointed that it wasn’t any new revelations for me

[Jammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written.

[Jessie Cummins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the theology. The amount of very personal and deeply emotional experiences shared was difficult to read.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

La idea se repite bartola, pero esta mujer logra hacerlo ameno de todas formas, con su manera de escribir te transporta a un café con amigas, hay muchas frases que pegaría en mi puerta.

[Gilberto Gaytán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy buen libro para abordar la vulnerabilidad desde la perspectiva divina

[Jessica Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how relatable the author was to her audience and how she referenced scriptures to "back up" her position(s).

[Georgia Herod · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Like the spine of a good book, scars, by their very nature, imply there's a story to tell." I immediately turned my left wrist which bears a shiny inch-long scar upward--it's a reminder of deliberate disobedience to my mother's "No." I have scars across my right chest that are dramatic reminders of the ravages of breast cancer. And then there are the emotional scars, kept hidden for years, before I dared to share them with others.

From the first line to the closing chapter, I was fully engaged with Sharon Jaynes as she led this reader through 13 chapters which touched on seeing our scars as God sees them and desires to use them. Our scars have purpose; God will redeem our pain as well as replace the wounds with scars and restore our broken hearts. Jaynes calls readers to speak the truth to the lies that we often carry as a result of shame and fear of rejection. She closes the book in victory for each reader, if we've been willing to be honest with ourselves and transparent with others. God will use our scars for His glory and the good of ourselves and others. He will give us "beauty for ashes"--or scars!

Jaynes presents inspirational stories from her own experience and from the lives of others as she shares godly wisdom.

Jaynes also includes a Bible study guide which could be used effectively for individual or small group study. The guide "will help you give your wounds to the One who sees your beauty and who can turn pain into purpose and heartache into hope."

[Mishell Cideos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nunca pense leer este libro pero si algo puedo decir es que vale 100% la pena. Un libro que enseña cual es el proposito de los eventos desafortunados de la vida. Entender que cada cosa y situacion por muy mal que sea trae algo bueno no solo para la vida propia sino para la vida de los demas. Lo encontre y lo lei justo en el momento en que necesitaba respuestas. Aclare todas mis dudas de acuerdo a la Palabra de Dios, todas esas que andaba buscando y que por cuestiones humanas no es posible responderlas. No es un libro que borra el pasado o simplemente olvidarlo. Al contrario, tener en cuenta el pasado sin dolor y que funcione como un escalon mas para lo que viene. Me encanto y lo volveria a leer.

[Andrea Del Rio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Increíble.

Este libro llegó a mi vida en el tiempo que más lo necesitaba. Al principio debo admitir que no entendía nada. Yo aún tenía mis heridas sangrando e infectándose, así que me era difícil entender cómo esto podía ser "hermoso" para Dios.
Con el paso de los días, Él estuvo hablando a mi vida, estuvo usando personas y en especial a este pequeño libro.
Hoy Dios ha sanado mis heridas y me ha mostrado lo bellas que son mis cicatrices y no tengo vergüenza de mostrarlas a nadie.

[Vallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all suffer the wounds of what life and other people have done to us. But we have a choice: are we going to continually pick at our scabs and reopen these wounds again and again, or are we going to allow them to heal and become scars? And beyond that, are we going to display our scars so the world can see God's glory and power in our lives? This book is an excellent read, and a convicting one.

[Ruth Santana Valencia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A través de 13 capítulos la autora nos explica con muchos ejemplos y citas bíblicas como las heridas externas e internas tienen un poder sanador, redentor y restaurador para encontrar la paz y el propósito ya que una si hay una cicatriz implica que hubo cura.
Es un libro escrito para mujeres parece que estas en un café con la autora y las mujeres que comparten sus historias.

[Anne Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Your Scars Are Beautiful to God, Sharon Jayne explains that the scars we have from our past can be a blessing to others when we choose to share them. She also explains how God gives healing, changing our wounds into beautiful scars that bring Him glory.

[Yanelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real eye-opener for me. It totally relates to my life. I have scars both inside and out. Sharon Jaynes did a tremendous job of making me see that my scars really are beautiful in His eyes. This book encouraged me to share my scars to those who have had similar experiences.

[Miguel Núñez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leí este libro hace unos ocho años, en un momento crucial para mi vida. La autora me ayudó a curar algunas heridas y a enfrentar el dolor de una manera positiva, sin dejar que el dolor me aplastara. Un extraordinario libro.

[Beverly]

I have just started to read it. I am finding it very interesting and can see why I turned out the way I did.

[Sue Klasing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll definitely use this for reference as I write some of my talks for my retreat next year. I bought my own copy so I could highlight it.