Denise Goosby (Courtesy photo)

Author Denise Goosby redefines self-image in “Scarred Like Him: Seeing the Beauty in the Life You Live”

No matter how you look on the outside, it’s your identity as a child of God that defines you and will set you on a path for success in life. That’s the premise of the new book by Denise Goosby, “Scarred Like Him: Seeing the Beauty in the Life You Live.”

The Compton native penned the tome to encourage people – especially those with low self-esteem – that God supplies believers with undeniable beauty within, no matter how blemished their outside might be.

“I want the readers to see themselves the way God sees them. I want them — I want myself — to be our unique, beautiful selves and to see the beauty in the life God has given us. I want to help people see that their wounds, inner and outer, do not define them,” explains Goosby, who drew on her personal experience with flawed skin to guide her in writing.

“The title refers to my own scars that I carry from my 40-year journey with severe keloid scarring. And it refers to the scars of Jesus,” she says. “Our Savior bears His scars, so the reader and I can bear ours and learn how to value ourselves and live life for God.”

“Scarred Like Him” contains eight sections with titles such as “Who Am I?” “Where Do I Belong?,” and “How Do I Make a Life?” Within each chapter, she explores a range of topics including identity, grief and life transitions. She also discusses the effects of pain and confusion on afflictions, which can lead to feelings of being ugly and unworthy.

“People have hurts and these hurts cause them to lash out at others and to seek personal fulfillment in things, status, and everything but God. I want the reader to know that they matter, that they are loved and valued for who they are. I want to bring encouragement to them,” insists Goosby. And by “them,” she says that she means, “People who have experienced trauma – an illness or disability, a broken heart, a loss, an addiction or abuse. People whose past hurts may have made them a little disillusioned with people and even God. I want to come alongside them and give them hope.”

Throughout her life, Goosby has been guided by the love of God and the hope she obtained through her relationship with Him. Her father was a minister, so she was always acquainted with the Lord, but it wasn’t until she became an adult that she truly accepted Christ and dedicated her time and talents, like writing and singing, to several ministries in the church.

In fact, her love of writing inspired her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in English at Mount St. Mary’s University and a Master’s degree in print journalism at USC. Those skills led to positions as a reporter for the Paramount News Tribune Newspaper and as an educator for 20 years at several public and private schools. In 2018, Goosby established Healing Song Ministry, she says, “to serve seniors, veterans, and the hurting in South Los Angeles County. It is music therapy for the heart and soul.”

Two years later, God directed her to write “Scarred Like Him” where she uses her story to tell His story. An excerpt reads: “To God, we would see our scars as something to celebrate. Our scars are living metaphors of our lives.

“They tell the world that we are warriors. They tell the world that we have fought battles. They tell the world that we are stronger than we look. That we may suffer long but we also endure. We do not give up because the God who lives through us won’t let us.

“Beloved ones do not be ashamed of your scars. Do not be ashamed of your life. It is beautiful. You are beautiful. Your God — the perfection of beauty — says so. And He does not lie. You need to receive this. God is not ashamed of you (Hebrews 2:11). We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. He has done that for me. He will do that for you. (Romans 8:28)”

Goosby also writes and sings on her blog, Denise’s Healing Journey, which can be found at denisegoosby.com. To others interested in writing, she advises, “You have a story inside of you. Whether it’s written or spoken or sung, God has put something in you. He’s put the desire to write in you. Seek His purpose. Pray and ask Him what to do. Write what you know and write what moves you — it’s what God put in you.”

And Goosby is quick to acknowledge her reliance on God to chart her future. “My life verse is Psalm 138:8 (ESV) – ‘The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.’ Whatever happens in my life, I can be sure that God’s will for me will be done,” she says.

“That comforts me. The whole Psalm 138 is a psalm of thanksgiving to God — the God who will be with us in trouble and defeat our enemies. Through it all, He will make us bold and strong!”

“Scarred Like Him: Seeing the Beauty in the Life You Live” is available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNobles.com, and Redemption Press. Visit https://denisegoosby.com/  for updated information about presales, events and special offers.