"From now on let no one trouble me [by making it necessary for me to justify my authority as an apostle, and the absolute truth of the gospel], for I bear on my body the branding-marks of Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions-these testify to His ownership of me].
Galatians 6:17
Meet the Author
Hello, friend! Welcome to I Bear the Marks. I'm Selena Young—the author— or perhaps more accurately, just a pen in God's hand (Ephesians 2:10). Here, you'll discover the heart behind my publications and the journey that has shaped the ministry work God has called me to. Through my resources, my mission is to share the transformative power of Jesus Christ—a power that reshaped my life and completely rewrote my story years ago. I am a born-again believer of 35 years, a wife of 18 years, a proud mom to two amazing sons, a homeschool teacher and a deeply committed member of the body of Christ who longs to encourage spiritual growth. I am a dedicated writer and author with a heartfelt passion for guiding others toward healing and hope through the love of Jesus. I’m currently pursuing training to become a biblical counselor, further equipping myself to guide others on their journey toward wholeness. My heartfelt prayer is that by sharing my personal experiences and the wisdom God has divinely taught me through these experiences, you’ll feel inspired to pursue a deeper, more personal relationship with God. A relationship that helps you move beyond mere experimentation and begin truly experiencing His transformative healing power in your own life. When you let go of the pen and allow Him to author the story of your life, you'll uncover an ending beyond anything you could ever dream of. I want this little corner of the web to remind you that God has a plan for you, and it's good (Jeremiah 29:11). Even if it doesn't feel good right now in this moment. Through my blogs, posts, books, devotionals, and more, my prayer is that God works through me to help you uncover new dimensions of His character—ones you may not have encountered before. Through this experience I pray you encounter the depth of His love for you, His intentional choice of you, and His desire to bring healing into your life.
My Testimony
My journey with God began at the age of eight during a chapel service at my elementary school, where I gave Him my heart for the first time. But it wasn’t until 27 years later that I truly surrendered my entire life to Him. That moment came during one of the darkest days of my life. I was driving with the windows down, tears streaming down my face, feeling utterly hopeless and ready to give up altogether. In that car, I had a surreal and life-changing encounter with God—one that transformed everything. At the time, I was navigating a long season of hidden abuse and carrying the weight of deep, unhealed trauma. My mind was trapped in a cycle of legalism, desperately trying to earn God’s love and basing my worth on the approval of others. My marriage was on the verge of collapse, my health was deteriorating, and I felt completely lost. I had two young children looking to me for guidance, yet I couldn’t even guide myself. My life felt meaningless. I was ready to give up—not just on God, but on life itself. But God wasn’t ready to give up on me. At my absolute lowest, He revealed Himself to me in an undeniable, overwhelming way. I pulled the car over, clutching the wheel with trembling hands, struggling to catch my breath. Through my tears, I whispered the words, “I surrender.” In that moment, I couldn’t have imagined the power He held to transform my life beyond anything I could comprehend—but I would soon experience it firsthand. Over time, God intervened in my circumstances in ways only He could. He rescued me from an abusive environment, healed my brokenness, and restored my marriage. He gave my life a renewed purpose and redeemed my story in ways I never thought possible. That redemption became the foundation for my first book, I Bear the Marks. Above all, God showed me how real, how present, and how faithful He is even in the midst of our darkest moments. That encounter was a turning point—a moment that forever changed the trajectory of my life. It set me on a mission far greater than anything I could have imagined for myself. Words will never fully capture the depth and power of God’s limitless love and grace, but I will spend the rest of my life trying to use mine to help others experience Him in the same profound way.
