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66 Responses to “Do You Have Scars?”

1. Marvin, on October 20th, 2008 at 4:58 pm Said:

   Thanks for this very touching entry, Bo. It’s a subject that’s close to my heart. It’s more than “not hiding our scars” to be true. In my experience, if we don’t recognize our wounds and strive for complete healing, we are in grave danger of conveying the wounds to other. These “others” include our defenseless kids. This is why I’m in a panic-mode to strive for complete healing–through forgiveness–because I love my kids so much I do not want to be the source of their own pain.

2. nas, on October 20th, 2008 at 6:20 pm Said:

   sapul! being inorganic was my game, for years. i thought i should be ‘polished’ to reflect Christ as a servant. but i was wrong. the moment i shared my scars to my loved ones thru a talk, it was the first time i heard from them ‘nangusap talaga sayo si Lord.’ and i never felt so honest and loved. you inspired me sir bo because 2 years ago, i saw you on tv sharing your scars to the viewers. i said it in my letter to you. i hope to still have it sir. God Bless!

3. nique, on October 20th, 2008 at 7:18 pm Said:

   my scar? as much as possible i dont announce to people im hurt when i am. I choose a friend close to me and pour out my emotions whether its right or wrong they are just there to listen and acknowledge the fact that i am hurt when i am through they tell me what they think… not to offend me but to wake me up from misery. So i could stand on my own and be stronger. And I thank them for that.

4. Edna Lyn, on October 21st, 2008 at 3:46 am Said:

   Going on mission taught me how to unmask my scars. It’s like, the more you talk about it, the more it heals slowly.

   … I need to share more about it.

   God bless!

5. thea, on October 21st, 2008 at 6:31 am Said:

   thanks bro. bo!
   this is what everybody needs. Sharing of ones scars
   to heal

6. carmelita sumaya, on October 21st, 2008 at 7:37 am Said:

   thanks bro.bo! im truly blessed after reading your mail about scars..it’s true i have mine too & i’ve shared it ..more power & God bless….

7. Yane, on October 21st, 2008 at 8:09 am Said:

   Amen, Bro. Bo! Many years ago during one of the corporate workshops I attended, we were asked to think up of a t-shirt inscription that would best describe our own lives. Mine was “Battle-scarred AND beautiful” — obviously not to mean it in a physical sense.

   I struggled with choosing between “AND” or “BUT”. I decided on “AND” because I believe that it’s the battle scars of life that make me “beautiful”.

   God is good and He does love us — so much that He made us in His image and likeness; so much that He purifies us and let’s us go through “fire” just like gold or scrunches us or pinches us like clay to a potter.

   Thank you for sharing your scars, Bro. Bo. They truly give us hope as they are powerful testimonies of God’s faithfulness and infinite love.

8. mary, on October 21st, 2008 at 8:12 am Said:

   That’s true . But that depends on people you deal with. I had a friend whom I opened up a secret about myself. You know what this friend of mind did? If he is angry, he would make “sumbat” to me about my secret…. I learned that I must open my deepest scar only to trusted friends. ‘Coz instead of being healed… the wounds would only re-surface… Other scars could be shared to others..God bless.

9. Going Straight, on October 21st, 2008 at 8:50 am Said:

   Bro Bo I can sympathize with you. Im also struggling with porn and masturbation plus my SSA (same sex attraction) issues.

   But Im thankful and fortunate to have a support group helping me out (Courage).

   In line with that, I want to share again this free downloadable antiporn filter that anyone can install in their homes to protect them and their kids:

   www.k9webprotection.com

   It works best with an accountability partner if you yourself are struggling with porn coz he can provide the password and monitor your net activities.

   God bless.

10. Maria, on October 21st, 2008 at 9:53 am Said:

    Scars?
    I have mountains of them!
    Firstly, my father abandoned us for another woman. Because of this, our family became ‘dysfunctional’. My mother left us to go to another country to seek greener pastures for us.
    Secondly, i became an abused wife (physically, verbally, emotionally, financially) as my husband became an addict to drugs, alcohol, porn, substances. My children were exposed to this and also to his extra-marital affairs.
    Thirdly, i suffered a miscarriage and my husband was not able to help me, nor my relatives.
    Fourth, my husband was detained in jail for at least a year while i was pregnant with our 3rd child!
    Fifth, my relatives are still angry with me for continuing to be supportive to my husband when i placed him in a rehab.

    Those trials were enough to make me suicidal or divorce my husband. Mind you, there was a lot of strong temptation especially when i tried to cope with it alone. But you know what, being in a Catholic charismatic community (and going to Cefam in Ateneo) helped me during those stormy trials. Because God used them to minister to someone so miserable and desperate like me. I had no parents nor in laws here to guide me, so i sought help from people who were God-fearing and loving.

    *God used my community cell group sister to bring me to a hospital when i had that miscarriage and even paid for my hospital bills and medicine
    *God gave me the grace to forgive the hurts against my father for causing the break-up of our family.
    *God enabled me to forgive my husband and even help him on his journey to be free from drugs and find the Lord as His Savior. He is still on that journey (pls mention him in your prayers) and i know God IS change His life.

    *Because I sought God for healing from hurts in life (i stayed away from barkada, drinking, gimmik and sought only Him), I attended Healing 8 stages of life workshop here through Cefam which was instrumental in helping me find myself with the healing power of the Lord. My emotional baggages disappeared! God sent many instrumental people like priests, mature Catholics to counsel me and clear my misunderstandings about life in general and in my marriage, family life.

    *God helped me realize my burden for the street-people and the drug dependents, the prisoners. Now i want to live my life sharing the Love and Mercy of our God to them.

    This wont all be possible if not for our Lord. Without Him, i might’ve been dead long ago fr suicide. I am thankful for my scars, somehow they led me to the Lord! I am able to share this to people who have lost hope. God really is ever-present, His hands are not too short to save us!

    This is my personal testimony of the kindness and unconditional Love of the Father through Jesus. Keep up the Faith, Christianity works! God is real, Jesus came to save not to condemn.

11. Maria, on October 21st, 2008 at 10:15 am Said:

    Kung noon magulo ang isip ko, at maraming akong denial, ngayon tanggap ko na ang sarili ko na broken ako, tangap ko na ang mga nangyari sa past ko, tangap ko na may mga taong nahihirapan pang tangapin at harapin ang past nila (tulad ng mga mahal ko sa buhay).
    Pero alam ko rin na impossibleng ma-tangap nila ang sarili nila at ang mga hurts nila na tulad ko or maayos rin ang buhay nila, kung hindi nila io-open ang puso nila kay Lord at maniniwala ng buong puso na gusto ng Ama na tumulong at ipakita ang unconditional love Niya.

    Kakaiba si Lord, He is AWESOME. Wala akong nakitang tao na makakabigay ng pagtangap sa akin, sa mga kasalanan at pagkakamali ko, sa mga kahinaan ko at mga oras na madali akong matakot.
    Ang alam ko lamang ay gusto niyang tangalin ang mga takot ko at sakit ng loob at sama ng loob. Nakakapag patawad na ako ngayon dahil NARAMDAMAN KO ANG PAGPATAWAD AT PAGMAMAHAL NI LORD SA AKIN. Its a very peaceful feeling, a sweet feeling that words fail to describe it, really. Nakita kong binabago niya ang ugali ko. Kaya gusto kong tumulong sa mga nawalan ng pagasa, dahil ang tanong ko sarili ko noon, how can i NOT share this to others? It is too powerful, too strong to keep to myself. Naluluha ako kapag nakakita ako ng mga rugby boys sa lansangan. Maganda ang plano ni Lord sa kanila, hindi perfect will ng Panginoon na ganoon ang katayuan nila. They are looking for something to fill that hole in their heart, thinking rugby or drugs might be it. But only God can fulfill that emptiness. God can quench that thirst and more.

    Good day to you all and God bless you and your loved ones.

12. candle_bearer, on October 21st, 2008 at 10:26 am Said:

    scars? i have many. for years i tried not to claim the scars that i have. the result? “not-so-me-personality” which means i felt so alienated with my own feelings, dont know who i am, and i even dont know my life purpose. I am not me during those days of denials. even I dont know who i am. i just wanted to escape the pain of having scars, i just wanted to run away and forget about them but in the end, i lost my worth as a human being. I am like a jelly fish. i am human being without backbone. slowly, through friends and experiences i learned that i have to claim the scars that i have because that is me. for many years iam still recuperating… i cant say that i am strong now, but i least i can acknowledged that i have scars. pondering upon the scars that i have made me think and learn, made me embrace the present and savor every blessings that i have. the future promise me no scar but i know every scar will mold me to become who i should be. i pray to God to heal me and be worthy in His presence when the time comes.

13. MORE, on October 21st, 2008 at 10:58 am Said:

    hi mr. bo! i always want to say thank u to u..i am inspired by ur enriching articles, stories. I am not really fond of sharing about serious things in my life. so i know i have scars that need to be healed. and im in strong denial about it. I am always praying that the time would come for me to be healed. I am doing it step by step.

14. neiley, on October 21st, 2008 at 12:50 pm Said:

    kuya bo!
    i might say that i’m one of those who pretend not having scars. i guess i’m perfectionist in that way. so i thank you for making me aware that i have to show to everyone the scars i’ve been hiding….(including my stretch marks on my belly…?!heheh..)
    thanks a lot pO!
    God blesS!!!;)

15. maricon, on October 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm Said:

    Hi Bro Bo!

    Having scars? I have many… But when I know about my Father who is my great healer … He healed me and continously healing me.

    Now, i know my purpose in life … to give hope to the people… to be a wounded healer for others and see more JESUS in me… So that they may too a wounded healers for others…

    GOD bless…

16. j-j, on October 21st, 2008 at 1:43 pm Said:

    Hi Bo…God has really chosen you to inspire, uplift and enlightened people in their everyday struggles in life and to remind us of God’s unconditional love for us.

    You see Bo, I’m not a hypocrite to say that I’m 100% perfect as based on your analogy on vegetables that seems to beautiful and flawless outside but they have been preserved with chemicals which can harm humans.

    Only few people who are close and dear to me knows that I was molested child, not even my parents or my closed brood in the family. It happened when I was 7 years old during typhoon Ruping hit our place that lead my cousins to stay in our house for couple of days since their house was affected by flood. And that’s were the incident took place.

    I was young at that time and I already knew what he was doing. But then, I was so weak and afraid that he might do something wrong to me if I informed my family. So I kept it Bo for 25 years and became the stigma of being unclean, unwanted and even hated my cousin and myself for what happened. It came to a point that my hate has been a hindrance for me to love other people and misjudged them of who they are. My aggression was too high that I can’t even control myself not even realizing that I’m somewhat more than a Lion if I’m mad.

    I sought for help and went to counseling just to minimize the aggression and to forgive my cousin of what he had done. I have always prayed to the Lord to continue to heal me physically and spiritually. After years of struggle, I’ve finally learned to forgive him and forget the past. But things came up and had provoked my hate again. This was when my bf constantly hurt me, not physically but emotionally because of being unfaithful. I did my best to win him back but still I can’t stop him from doing it. But what’s worst was when, he proposed to my family for marriage but after 3 days and until now, he had communicated nor not seen him already. This is so hard for me until now Bo on what to do. I even questioned myself that why he did this to me. Am I not worthy to be love in return? Am I not worthy to value and worth of respect not only to me but also to my family? Had he realized the hurt and pain that I’m feeling everytime he hurt me and not even sticking the commitment he uttered to my family?

    The wound is to big for me to heal it and I know it really takes time because of the anger, hate and the lost of my sense of worth. I know this is a big challenge for me to make this wound to heal and be scar.

    Bo, should you have any suggestions on how I would handle this pain, anger and hate.. please e-mail me or write back to me then

17. Anonymous, on October 21st, 2008 at 2:08 pm Said:

    I just felt inspired to wrtie a comment…

    I didn’t write my real name because I know that I’m not completely healed yet, I’m still scarred and God and my loved ones know that too…

    Here’s why:

    I’m seventeen years old, and I have just had the greatest ordeal I’ve had to go through within my seventeen years of existence.

    I’ve had a boyfriend for a year and we broke up recently. After a couple of weeks, I found out that I was pregnant and that my baby was already threatened because I’ve bled twice already.

    I told my best girl friend and my ex boyfriend. Only to have my ex threaten to never even speak to me unless I drop the baby. I knew I didn’t have it in me to kill and it’s simply wrong. My ex even told me that I shouldn’t ruin HIS life. Wow, how about MY life? How about the life of the kid he didn’t even want to give a chance to?

    For one month, I hid everything from my parents. I bled thrice and had to go through the pains alone. I would cry every night not knowing what to do. I almost killed myself thrice. Twice I almost cut my wrists and once I almost jumped off the fourth floor of a building.

    The pain wasn’t over, I found out, while I was pregnant, that my best girl friend and my ex boyfriend had sex. DURING my pregnancy. It hurt me, so much.I didn’t know what to do anymore. The betrayal and the pain was too much.

    Then, I lost the baby. I bled for the third time and when I took a pregnancy test, it was negative already. I cried so much because I felt like such a terrible mother. I’m a love child as well, so I felt awful that I got a chance at life and my baby didn’t.

    Despite of what they had done, I didn’t get angry at my best friend and my ex. I stuck to one verse in the bible, I Peter 4:8… “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins…” I was mad at what they did, not at them… hat the sin, not the sinner, right? But I found it so difficult to forget… Forgiving was easier than it
    seemed, but the forgetting was not, at all…

    My parents and the elders in my community now know, and they’ve supported me in my recovery… I thank God for them… He truly has ways to make everything right… Everything has its purpose and time…

    So yes, I still have scars.. All of these things happened within the past two and a half months.. But I’m praying that in God’s time, He’ll heal my scars… I know he has better things in store for me… Romans 8:28 “That in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, whom He has called according to His purpose..”

18. Ms. Bilog, on October 21st, 2008 at 2:45 pm Said:

    I don’t want people to see me weak, stressed, problematic, stubborn, addicted, and frightened. Kaya nga every first impressions sa akin is nothing but good things, and it feels good to hear those uplifting compliments; I tend to forget the scars in me.

    Going back to my childhood years, I have enjoyed playtimes with my friends but I need to lie in order to escape in our house and play outside. My parents are so busy with their work and my aunt has to stay in our house to take care of us with my three more siblings. Ako na yata ang pinakamakulit kaya nasa akin ang mga mabibigat na parusa; I knelt on mongo seeds with can of sardines raised up with my both hands, also knelt in rock salts, I was also confined inside the toilet, I was put inside a sack (sako ng bigas) and place outside our house and exposed in the sun. I also experience to be beaten with any kind of stick (patpat, walis tambo, hanger, tatay’s belt, etc.). I also remember that I was punch by my dad (I got one punch only, because he was trying to resist himself that moment) when I got 18/100 on my major test in English when I was in grade 1. It was not clear to me what was happening that time, even if tatay would try to explain that he just love us, and that it is for our own good but my mind and heart could not accept it. He would also say very painful words that would engrave in my heart and for so very long time, I don’t know how to forget it.

    I love my dad, really. I love my parents so much. But sometimes I don’t know how to show it, but I’m trying to love them with the way I know so. And for some time I understand that my dad has also the same past with his father. His father would beat him, scold him, would not let him send to school and would not give him freedom. And I know that he is also in the process of healing himself from the past.

    Now, and a lot of times, I feel like I need to pretend to be ok when I’m not. I need to pretend that I am strong kasi there are these people that I’ve been serving—they are looking up on me. I don’t want to disappoint them nor lose their trust in me. But the truth is I’m weak in making decisions, I feel unworthiness most of the time, low-self esteem, hidden addictions and I felt sad most of the time without knowing the reason.

    I have been praying for this for some time. Minsan, I tend to forget these when I’m happy but it keeps on coming back again. But when the pain triggers, it affects everything—with the way I think, I speak, at work, and my relationship. I’m still single and I don’t want to keep this until I got my own family. I don’t know where to start.

    Help naman po kuya Bo…

    Thanks po.
    God bless:-)

19. My Colorful World » Do you have Scars? by Bo Sanchez, on October 21st, 2008 at 2:50 pm Said:

    […] Article, grabbed from here. […]

20. Oyen, on October 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pm Said:

    I didn’t know that o.o (will ask mom for her copy of your books….)

21. grace, on October 21st, 2008 at 4:52 pm Said:

    Hi Bo,

    i am a person born with scar though i healed some and create some. My friends usually calls me madrama but i just know that i’m a wounded person. Though many people mistook me for being strong because my dad wants me to face whatever problem, squarely but it doesn’t mean that i am not a wounded person. The death of my dad 23 years ago is a wound that became a scar after 5 years and was healed inside after 10 years. I was in my 4th year high then when Dad passed away in Saudi Arabia. His memories flooding my mind since i don’t have so much of those. I grew up knowing i have a dad he is always away from me and my mom. His presence is very much appreciated by me especially during time when i get an award or small success like having finish my garden or i was able to plant some vegetables and it grows up and bear fruits. Though he is not a perfect Dad he has also share of wounds and scars but out of those scars and wounds he always share with me the positive side of it. He always tells me that the scars and wounds are part of being human the important thing is to grow out of it and make it your reminder and stepping stone to be a better human being. He death devastated me so much. Life became unbearable and unhappy, no direction, no inspiration, full of insucurity and questions especially the question about God’s infinite mercy. Five years of darkness i would say, five years of desert, five years of walking in unknown world.Financially hard up kahit isang beinte singko centavo hindi ko mahagilap sa bahay, talagang walang-wala kami. I saw the real world of nothingness, ‘yong bang pakiramdam mo you worth nothing. Parang wala kang value becuase you are poor and don’t have anything to call your own. Any year celebration even christmas was spent in tears, because i don’t see any meaning in it. It is pain of angry to God, the pain the leads me to seek to know if God is really there. Ang hirap talaga, i always ask bakit ako pa ano ba ang ginawa ko to this kind of life? Do i deserve it. It was until a friend of mine expereince more or less how i feel about losing her grandfather died which she love so much that the scar of losing a beloved was formed in me. Knowing that hindi ako nag-iisa is the first step of my healing. Gradually i start to accept it as a reality of my life, kahit minsan na iingit ako kapag may makita akong tatay at anak na magkasama. But until now the scar is still present but the feeling of lost is almost gone. Healing still on process.

    thanks, Bo for such a space for the scar. More power

22. Maria, on October 21st, 2008 at 5:08 pm Said:

    I have scars… loads of them and some fresh and they keep adding on… I’m not healed at the moment just wounded.

    I’m suffering from self harm. Whenever I feel emotional pain I hurt myself because it reduce the pain I feel from the inside. My family doesn’t know but my bf does. I asked him to keep it from anybody else and he threatened to break up with me if I don’t stop doing it. He said he doesn’t know how to handle it.

    I don’t know how else to cope with the emotional pain…

23. Yo!, on October 21st, 2008 at 8:04 pm Said:

    wow,,, were just the same wounded person,,,,, i hope i can recover also from this woundedness of mine….. if it happens i can be called scarface….

24. shampster, on October 21st, 2008 at 11:35 pm Said:

    It took me several years to shed my ‘inorganic’ self and muster enough courage to show my scars to others. It was a most humbling experience.

    At first, I was just sharing to unburden guilt so that I can start forgiving myself. But eventually, I realized that I was not anymore hurt but still kept on sharing –because others needed to hear that somehow, everything will be okay… that we all just have to have a little faith. Now I can proudly say that the ‘worst experience’ was actually the ‘best thing that ever happened’.

    I hope these quotes will also help others who are still in pain. God bless.

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding, but in all of your ways acknowedge him and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5

    The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. - The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

25. celestial_maiden, on October 22nd, 2008 at 3:54 am Said:

    Scars? I have a lot ranging from the physical ones (being bitten by a dog) to emotional ones. There was one thing that I still have to come into terms with but it’s too hard and this had affected on how I deal with people especially men.

    A few already knew about it and despite the fact it happened 7 years ago it was so hard saying it to just anyone or talking about it esepcially when you’re being barraged with questions. People tell me to get over it and move on, it isn’t easy.

    I guess I’m still recovering. I even kept on asking myself: how uncomfortable is uncomfortable? When would you know it isn’t right already?

26. Chris, on October 22nd, 2008 at 8:06 am Said:

    This is the first time I heard that you have such a scar.
    I have the same scar. I am still struggling, still in the process of asking and praying to God that He forgive me and make a better man out of me.

    I don’t know how to share this with anyone, especially with someone I know. There is this fear of being having to lose respect of the person whom I would share this with.

    Pray for me.

27. Chingky, on October 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 am Said:

    We all have scars in our life, one way or the other. But the most important thing is that we learn to accept it and used them as lessons as we journey life. Probably, a lot of people would prefer to share their scars to others but for me, I only share my deepest scars, problems, worries, happiness STRAIGHT to God and Mama Mary. A lot of prayers through vigil, novenas and masses truly helped me recover. At lot of times, I didn’t realise the problems were already solved. I lift, surrender and trust everything to Him and to our Mother. God and Mama Mary is so kind and generous.

    Even if I don’t share my scars to other people, I firmly believe that God is here beside me to listen and guide me through my deepest moments. PRAISE GOD and MAMA MARY.

28. ei, on October 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 am Said:

    i agree with the vegetable thing, good analogy though. however, i just don’t understand the part–”unmasking of scars”.

29. Ed, on October 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 am Said:

    I would like to give a testimony on the Faithfulness and Love of our Lord Jesus Christ..

    I am now in the process of Healing from my woundedness….a few years ago i was so disrespectful to my parents even to the point of cursing them for the most trivial reasons, got addicted to sex (though only 1 partner, my gf at that time…still it’s outside marriage), got addicted to computer games which nearly ruined my studies, and worst of all i am a murderer. when my gf at that time told me she’s pregnant i told her to abort it…it happened thrice. Eventually i broke up with her. At that point i don’t know what’s happening in my life anymore, it’s like being buried 6ft under a pile of crap.

    But then an illness struck me which made me see the light. being helpless i realized the error of my ways. My Healing started when i learned to pray the Rosary, then i started to go to Mass daily and it led to my being called to a wonderful Community. I now strive to be respectful to my parents, my ex and i already confessed our sins and we’re trying to rebuild our lives, and i now strive to live according to the Word of God. I am still a sinner and fall often but by the Grace of God through the Sacrament of Confession, He offers us reconiliation and Healing of our wounds.

    Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!

30. Verto, on October 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 am Said:

    Hi Bo,

    A lot of people think that i’m a person who has “no scar” because of what i’ve achieved in my life. Little do they know that, i too have scars which i have been trying to hide. However, I’ve already overcome some of these scars and ready to share it to others!

    Regards,

31. piper, on October 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm Said:

    Scars… i have a lot of them too but like what Bro Bo mentioned, I guess i am the one who try to hide my scars and keep others from seeing them… because i am ashamed of them, i am scared that people will judge me, and look at me differently. I only share them to the closest people in my life.. i treat my scars as secrets.. things that i should keep in the closet and tell myself to forget them.. which is totally wrong because truth is it will not heal unless i accept them as part of me….

32. netzkie, on October 22nd, 2008 at 3:19 pm Said:

    my scar is my dark past. i was molested by my own father, and it made a scar within me. it took more than 10 years before i was able to accept that it happened and there is nothing i can do to rewind it.
    it was just lately that i was able to treat my father right.

33. jm, on October 22nd, 2008 at 8:48 pm Said:

    Sometimes, we dont seem to know who we really are. We long for something that we dont even know what it is or who it is. We just feel this emptiness inside us that needs to be filled. As much as we can, we make ourselves busy; going to different places, trying out new stuff and most of the time, we want to be around that someone whom we think can fill up the spaces in our lives. I had my share of those times. There would come a time in my life where I dont seem to know the person I am seeing in a mirror. I dont even know what Im capable of. I ask myself how Ive come this far. I got a decent job as a call center agent but why do still feel so empty? I feel that Im the loneliest person in the world. I feel that Im just living my life for the sake of living but not living a life at all. Theres something missing but I dont know what it is and how I’d be able to figure it out. A human being can never be contented with what he/she has. We always tend to crave
    for more thinking that it may make us happy. Im tired of how my life is going right now. I dont know where I am going. It seems like Im just going with life’s flow. I dont have any goals to look forward to. I’m away from my family to see how they appreciate what I do for them. I come home to see things the way I left them. I feel so empty emotionally. Im not the person I used to be. The person who’s so loud and doesnt care what other people may say. The person who loves to laugh and would say whatever that comes to my mind. The person who knows what to say in every situation. The person whom others may think has a very strong personality. The girl who can take whatever life may bring her and the woman loves deeply. I dont know who I am now….

34. Anne, on October 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 pm Said:

    thank you for inspiring us!

35. Doboloh, on October 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 am Said:

    i am a retired addict,

    a professional troublemaker,

    and yes i have loads of stories to tell, and i enjoyed sharing them

36. chris, on October 23rd, 2008 at 11:46 am Said:

    i have “scars”, and l regret everything how l got it, but with the Lords guidance and friends like you it helps me realize that these scars should not leave a mark for nothing but it leaves a mark for us to remember that we made mistakes and its our turn to make things right the next time around. Scars are unsightly to see and thats how our sin is, so l am thankful to your soulful mails. lt gives me enlightenment and everyday guidance.

37. Beth, on October 23rd, 2008 at 12:49 pm Said:

    “scars” i have too… but i know in Gods time it will heal… just continue to lived life in accordance with the will of God ….
    thanks Bro Bo…

38. Emz, on October 23rd, 2008 at 5:12 pm Said:

    All of us carries God’s trademark and it includes our “SCARS.” These remind us that we need our “GOD” at all times…Thank God for scars…and share the love of God through the scars that you have and let God HEAL them…for that is the purpose of these SCARS. God Bless.

39. Maria, on October 24th, 2008 at 12:48 am Said:

    Our scars are our medals awaiting to be recognized…by ourselves!

    God can turn your trials into triumph.

    My personal testimony is a painful compilation of scars, yet became my medals against every challenges that come, against satan, against the world’s influences, and anything that goes in between my relationship with God.

    Whenever i encounter a trial, i look back and reminisce not the painful past, but to those times when God rescued me, again and again and again. Im glad He never gets tired of us :).

    See

40. chantz, on October 24th, 2008 at 4:51 am Said:

    people always look at me as someone who’s such a goody-goody. very polite, polished, and ‘almost’ perfect. but really… i’m very, very, very imperfect. (just perfectly loved by God)

    and i as well had experiences that has left me wounded and bleeding for years.

    thanks for your book, “your past does not define your future”… it made me cry. it made realize that i’m not alone. it made me put down my mask. it helped me to walk towards freedom…

    and today, my wounds are continuously being healed - yes, they have left scars. but as what a priest told me on counselling, “you look back, and you see the scar from the past… but the pain is not there anymore.” and it rang true. [it’s been a year since that freedom walk.] i’m not saying that i’m 100% healed… God is still working His wonders in me. and i can never be more grateful for everything that has transpired in my life. good.bad.beautiful.ugly. - i have made my heart say that as long as i’m in God’s embrace, everything that happens is good.

    God bless you Bro.Bo!

    P.S. thanks for inspiring the wounded and scarred to become wounded healers… and believe me when i say, that there are far more wounded healers than you can imagine.

    wounded healers represent!

41. star del c., on October 24th, 2008 at 2:38 pm Said:

    hi everyone! — scars? or blemishes? yes, we all do have one sometime in our lives, wether inflicted by others or by ourselves. the pain is there, yes, but when we decide to forgive, we should also forget. this we should do in order to have peace in our souls, consequently joy in our lives. in the homily today, the priest said, that there are three reasons for us to be ready for our end; or our last breath here on earth. to be ready, we must have peace with others, peace with our God, and we must possess love of God and others. peace can only be obtained if we open our hearts to God’s love , mercy and forgiveness. His mercy, love and forgiveness is as vast as the ocean, far enough to wash away our sins and guilt. yes, only God can make us whole again; only him can erase our scars and blemishes; He won’t even remember our transgressions once He forgives us. in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we find peace, joy and love of Jesus , Who in Calvary gave up His life to open Heaven’s door . ” No greater love is there, than for one to lay down his life for a friend. ” He doesn’t need to do it , but yes! He did! how great is His love for us! who are we, but just mere dust on this transitory earth, what is man that He should be mindful of him. ” Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us… ” as Jesus taught us how to pray in the ” Our Father. ”
    so guys, we should not only forgive but forget the scars. may be difficult , but God can forgive , how much more for us His creatures. may Jesus be our joy, peace, love and destiny! have a good day everyone!
    thanks bro. bo for this wonderful space!
    May God bless us all.

42. star del c., on October 24th, 2008 at 3:23 pm Said:

    correction pls.— three things needed for us to be ready to meet the end of life. not ” reasons ” as above. sorry ! thanks.

43. Karen Mae convicto, on October 24th, 2008 at 8:08 pm Said:

    I really love this article.. I really can relate on this.. A lot of

    people think I have everything in life. But they don’t know that

    deep inside I have many blemishes and scars. Sometimes

    we are trying to deny it because we can’t accept it or we are

    thinking that other people will not accept it. But God’s love is

    so great, He accepts us besides of our weaknesses and

    imperfections.

44. Allen, on October 25th, 2008 at 4:47 am Said:

    Hi Bo,

    Scars? I don’t have them.. I have scarsesssSSSS!

    True enough. Exposing my scars makes me more effective in shepherding my lambs. It’s kind of funny because when I’m asked to do shepherding sessions, most of the time, it’s a bulls-eye! My lamb would always ask me, have you been pre-selected to be my shepherd? The matching is perfect as they can relate their experiences perfectly on my weaknesses.

    I always tell my lamb after they ask me that question … I guess that’s how God’s grace works. Maybe I am called by the Lord to do the same thing.

    It’s true that we become vulnerable after exposing our scars, but hey.. who cares! Like my mentor in my community back in Manila would say.. “eh ano?” The Lord put me here and I know he will take care of me and defend me.

    By the way, some of my scars are — being a sexually molested child (Bo, we have something in common) who became a financer in the illegal drug business that destroyed several lives while running a night club which caused the fall of several marriages which in turn, nearly destroyed my family and so on…. by the mercy and grace of our Lord, I am here!

    More power!

45. louie, on October 25th, 2008 at 2:48 pm Said:

    your such a nice guy galing mo talaga

46. miss m, on October 26th, 2008 at 11:58 am Said:

    Hi Bro Bo!

    I didn’t know you have such a scar, and your sharing it had given me a lot of hope, hope that someday this wound i’m carrying will someday healed and will be just one of a scar.

    For so many years already, i’ve been struggling to stop myself from masturbating. It’s a battle that somehow i always failed to win. I have gone to confession several times for this sin and for sometime after i don’t do it, but then at some point it creeps into me again and i find myself doing it again. I don’t actually do it very often but i really want to stop doing this for good and forever, if possible. I feel GUILTY and DIRTY after doing it. None of my friends and family knows i have this dilemma. I’m afraid to share it with them for fear of being judge. Silly me. But i know i need help to get rid of this addiction, i know it has become one already.
    I know i’m a good person and i love God but this one thing hinders me to fully love Him. I know every time i do it i hurt Him but i still continue to do it for the little pleasure i get that won’t even last a minute.

    Bro Bo, i really need help. How can i acquire the books you mention, “Your Past Does not Define Your Future” and “7 Secrets to Real Freedom”?

    I’m working abroad, please email me how i can buy your books.

    Pray for my healing!

47. Lost_mommy, on October 27th, 2008 at 10:27 am Said:

    hi bro bo!

    every stories shared here are very touching..
    nakakarelate me kay Ms. Bilog who made her comment last Oct 21. we have different case lamang nun bata pa ko.. pero what she feels is what i feel right now.

    i’m lost.. i don’t know myself.. mabilis akong gumawa ng actions na in the end pinagsisisihan ko naman. mabilis uminit ang ulo..may time na ala akong pakialam sa sasabihin ng ibang taong makakakita basta mailabas ko lamang ang galit ko.. that’s what i hate! i can’t forgive myself for doin that. pls pray for me bro! i need it so much!

    thank you for being an instrument to help those who are in need.. sa mga taong tulad ko na hindi alam ang dapat gawin sa buhay..

    more power and god bless!

48. Pyrrha, on October 27th, 2008 at 3:52 pm Said:

    hello Bro. Bo!

    I am so blessed by your stories!

    you’re one of the many people who help me grow spiritually.

    Absolutely, it is very hard to share your scars to others.

    i sometimes felt being “inorganic”, people thought that i am strong and i almost have everything, (except money). But what they saw is just a mask of mine, they didn’t know the real me.

    Definitely, I am imperfect, i have my own limitations and lapses though i always try to hide it.

    Now i realized that what I’m doing is not right. i should not pretend to be perfect to please others, instead i should be proud of my scars and share it with them.

    thanks a lot Bro. Bo!

    May God Bless you more!!!

49. Julian, on October 28th, 2008 at 7:22 pm Said:

    I do have scars too…
    In fact, I have lots of them, from my childdhood years up to present. And I am still looking for the best medicine to heal and cover my scars.
    I came from a broken family and I desire to have a happy family,so when I fell in love.we got married hoping that this is the one I’ve been looking for but then I failed again.My husband left me for another woman. I couldn’t think of anything why can’t I have it. It’s not too much.. I only ask for a happy family but then I always left behind.
    I guess, scars remain forever until you find the best solution. I am just hoping and praying that somehow and someday, God will give me the best med for my scar.

50. Renz, on October 28th, 2008 at 7:36 pm Said:

    Dear sir Bo, I really admired what yo had said about these scars of ours, what is important is to forgive those who hurts, ignores and hated us, for only through forgiveness and prayers for them that we are healed of our scars. More power to you and your missionary works.

51. greta, on October 28th, 2008 at 11:01 pm Said:

    hi bro. Bo,

    I have so many scars that I chose to forget. But I often remember them like it just happened yesterday. I used to think of killing myself because of so many problems. A friend told me, “why choose death where you have a good life (I have materially but not much), compared to those who have less in life?” I’m not able to contemplate on things that happen to me, the things I did, those scars. I just don’t know where to start.

52. Mark Guadalupe, on October 29th, 2008 at 5:56 am Said:

    Hi Bro Bo,

    I’ve been reading your articles every once and a while, and I noticed that the link to your “iamtrulyrich” website has been hacked, just so you know, you need to act fast before the hacker change his mind and delete all your files on that website ;).

    Please, if you need any assistance just email me, i’m willing to help.

    Cheers from Auckland…

53. Lianne, on October 29th, 2008 at 8:08 pm Said:

    scar? sugat? mga pasanin sa buhay? un ba ung scars? ewan ko ba…if this is it, i can say na sugatan ako…im so wounded…as in…i was so wounded na hindi ko na kayang iharap sa ibang tao ang sarili ko. im so full of pretentions…sobrang tinitiis ko lahat mag-isa…may mga chosen friends akong pinagsasabihan ng mga probs ko pero konti lang sa kanila ung tunay na nakakatulong sa’kin…the sad part there is, kahit ung bestfriend ko hindi ako madalas matulungan…i was so disappointed with him…kaso di ko sya maiwasan, because i love him, un ung ayoko ng gawin, ang mahalin sya…pero mukhang matatagalan bago ko sya maalis sa puso ko…sobrang malaking part sya ng scars sa buhay ko, pero isa rin sya sa mga taong nkaka-heal dito…im so confused!

54. Michael, on October 30th, 2008 at 10:35 am Said:

    Peace! I thank the the LORD for you Bro. Bo, because i’m in that situation right but last night i pray to JESUS that HE send somebody message that wakes me up and for this bandage of porn and thank GOD when I open my email I saw your article and it heat me straight in my heart that GOD is talking to me and HE is still on my side despite of what I’ve done to hurt HIM now what ever happens I will resist what temptation that could hurt my LORD JESUS because I know HE loves me so much! Thanks Bro. Bo, you are true Blessing to everyone! GOD Bless! : )

55. Blogs from Heaven » Blog Archive » …I’m a recovering porn addict…., on October 31st, 2008 at 4:27 pm Said:

    […] Do You Have Scars? […]

56. myra, on November 13th, 2008 at 1:18 pm Said:

    God bless u bro Bo & ur family!

    in our community, we are reminded to be proud of our scars, bcoz it will definetly give hope to others. but, im not that confident yet that others will understand or accept me if i would.
    Thank you!

57. Sherrie, on November 14th, 2008 at 12:49 pm Said:

    Like most people, i have scars. And i find it truly amazing how God allowed those painful moments in our lives to CHANGE us and to make us realize that it is only HIM who can give us true happiness.
    The scars that i have are a reminder that our GOD is a LOVING God; that He only wants the BEST for me!

58. Osc, on November 17th, 2008 at 6:20 pm Said:

    In a religious community, I had —–. So much to mention but the bottom line is, I believe I was used and abused or may be I let myself to be. I had what I call my darkest past. It is my most traumatic experience. Because of that, I can’t stop thinking of my worth. I WAS LIKE A TRASH!

    I want to be somebody and I want to be happy.

    Hope one day, i will be completely healed. T.T

59. LC, on November 20th, 2008 at 12:57 pm Said:

    Bro. Bo i have a friend who is trying to hide every scars she have, but unfortunately for her part i noticed it, she is preventing her tears to fall down because of her scars..right now the only thing i can do for her is to pray for her to be healed…pls join me to pray for her…

60. Gerard Francis Zezima, on November 29th, 2008 at 9:57 am Said:

    Hi, I know you’re not going to like this…but in English it is correct to say “share your scars WITH others…” You present something TO someone, and share WITH them….I am so sorry about the correction…it is a bad habit I am trying to break!

    Your message is wonderfiul, Bo. Keep up the great work!
    Your friend and fellow spiritual writer,
    Gerard Francis Zezima

61. helena, on December 1st, 2008 at 11:58 am Said:

    its a great inspirational message from bro. bo…but if youre goin to ask me about these “scars”…i guess some people are not really “inorganic” or “plastic” maybe its just that…its their way of keeping up with themselves i mean…instead of showing how hurt and wounded they are…they think that its much better to keep everything confined to themselves instead of adding up burden to other peoples lives…

    some are just scared of the outcome if they will share their problems with others…they are afraid of making other people feel sorry for them…pity them …things like that…

    i often say…it all depends on how you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders and how you carry yourself in front of the people around you…the way you handle your personal problems…

    sometimes its much better to solve it your own way…

    but then again i agree with bro. bo in a way that yes, sharing your problems can help and can give hope and i guess…there is a time for everything…most especially a time for sharing….

62. Lito, on July 8th, 2009 at 2:18 pm Said:

    Hi Bo,

    I just want to thank you for the inspirations that you bring though your website.

    I was once a porn addict too and with the love and grace of the Lord, i was able to overcome that addiction. The call of the flesh is really strong but with the Lord in me, i have the courage to face this battle and i know that the Lord has pronounced victory for me.

    The thing about this sin of the flesh is that you can hide it from everyone else but when you commit that sin, you really feel dirty and like a trash for that few seconds of pleasure.

    What i can say is that this battle is impossible to win without the grace of the Lord.

63. Dhai :), on August 14th, 2009 at 10:02 pm Said:

    Hello po.
    This is my first time to visit your site that’s why my comment is so late. Lame, I know. Hay. Hehe. ANYWAAAY.. Thank you for posting this. I just wanna share things. Pwede po ba? Hehe. For years, people who know me think that I’m a “problem-free” person. No one would even bother to ask me kung ok lang ba ako. I tend to keep all of my problems to myself kasi ayokong maapektuhan pa sila. Na problemahin din nila mga problema ko. So yun, kahit may problema ako, pinipilit kong maging masaya sa harap nila. I make them believe that EVERYTHING’S PERFECT with me. But, after I attended a 3-day retreat called Search-In(a Lasallian “organization” that we call a family), I realized that if those people are really my friends, they’ll understand everything I’m going through. And that retreat made me realize that SCARRED PEOPLE ARE BEAUTIFUL. Mas madali palang harapin ang problema pag may mga karamay ka. Pag may mga taong handang tumulong sa’yo. Yung tipong, hindi ka agad ijujudge kung sino ka, at kung ano yung mga nagawa mo. I’m thankful that God made me realize those things. That way, I don’t have to keep all the burden to myself.
    God Bless everyone!

64. confused, on September 30th, 2009 at 3:06 pm Said:

    Hello po,

    currently po confused ako kasi i have this feeling na gus2 kong makipaghiwalay sa aswa ko. I talked to one of our kumpares already this morning at he thought na ok daw kami mag aswa. we tend to show na were okay kasi everytime na may bisita kami. pero pag kami na lng back to normal na kami. i am planning na to share my sentiments with my and his family. pero i chose to consult first my friends baka makatulong cla. i also urged him before na magpa marriage counseling kami nde na daw kelangan kasi pde namn daw namin pag usapan. pero feel ko wla nmang nangyayari. cnabi ko sa kumpare ko kanina na tulungan nya akong masabihan aswa ko. hoping na sana this is the first step already..

65. duwag, on January 16th, 2010 at 3:27 pm Said:

    na confuse n talaga ako sa buhay ko maybe ako yata pinakhuli magshare dito at first time n magsishare. tagal na ito sugat na ito til now ayaw gumaling dami na ako sinubukan organization til’ now i feel empty at wala direction pinipilit ko buksan ang puso ko kay Lord, but ayaw nia pumasok sa buhay ko. hindi ko alam if saan ako magsisimula,matanda na ako but yet hindi ko pa alam ang purpose ko at sino b talaga ako? gusto maranasan ang Pangako ng Panginoon sa buhay ko ito.. pls, guide & help me! God bless po!

66. Jo, on June 1st, 2010 at 2:47 pm Said:

    i would like to ask your advice on something i can’t share in public. thank you very much

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