The Upper Room Devotional 1st August 2026, Saturday Message
Life’s Scars
Gayle Childress Greene (Tennessee, USA)
Today’s Reading
John 20:24-29
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
“Hey, GiGi! Do you want to see my scar?” my five-year-old grandson asked, proudly displaying a faded line from his life-saving surgery performed on the day he was born. I love that scar on his little tummy. It proves he survived and healed.
I think about the various scars I’ve accumulated over the years from cesarean sections, knee surgeries, and most recently removing skin cancer from my cheek. Many of us also carry invisible scars — emotional wounds caused by abuse, addiction, loss, or betrayal. Our scars are proof we have survived and healed too.
No suture or bandage can heal our broken hearts. Only Jesus can bind and heal the wounds of our deepest hurts and restore us to a life filled with love, joy, peace, and hope. But we must allow him to do what is necessary for our inner healing. Jesus used the scars from his crucifixion to prove to Thomas that he died and rose again. We can follow Christ’s example and use our scars to glorify him, showing others the way to spiritual healing that can only come through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We are all scarred by life, but our scars can be proof that with Jesus’ help, we survived and healed.
Thought for the Day
What signs remind me of God’s healing in my life?
Prayer Focus
Gratitude for God’s healing work
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the scars that prove you have healed our deepest wounds. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 1st August 2026 is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More