There is a growing trend to share our stories online. People recognize their stories as God’s story. They are powerful and memorable. People share to encourage others and use their past for good. How do you know when you are ready?
On my blog, I share the story of my family’s escape from a cult and the healing that has taken place. I knew it would help others, but I had no idea how wide-spread the impact would be. The more my story is told, the more people hear it. A certain amount of fear comes with that.
I encourage others to tell their stories, but not until they are absolutely sure it is the right thing. Opening up and exposing the pain in my life was very difficult. I tried to do it right after we left the cult. I wrote as a means of sorting out my thoughts. It was too public and not personal enough. I needed to talk to real people, including a counselor. Writing about it publicly caused more inner turmoil. It was not helping me and I was not ready to help others.
When I launched my new blog, I had no intention of sharing my story. I had done a lot of healing and was ready to move on. As my blog was being developed, however, I felt a heavy burden to reach out with my story. My husband, friends and counselor all encouraged it. I was frightened, but convicted that people needed to hear. After having a dream about what we left, I just started writing. This time, I was writing from the side of healing. I was surprised at how quickly the fear went away and how many doors God opened.
There are a few things I have learned from writing my story. First of all, writing has solidified and clarified what I know to be true. The more I write, the more I feel confident in speaking that truth. Second, a lot of people have been hurt and we need support to continue walking in faith. Third, I need to be ready for opposition.
So far, I have only received positive feedback. Several times, however, I have feared and envisioned attacks. I could buckle under the fear, but I have chosen to prepare instead. I once imagined that someone from the cult called me a liar. I prayed about it and God showed me that I should continue to offer love, especially on my platform. I don’t have to argue with those who oppose me, but offer the same hope and freedom I offer supporters.
Sharing your story could be the best thing to come out of a bad experience. Others need to hear about the saving grace of Jesus and they need to hear it from people they can relate to. Before you begin, spend significant time in prayer and examine your heart. Consider the following questions.
- Have you healed enough to help others?
- Are you clear about the origin of your weakness and the truth of God’s power?
- Can you share your story free from bitterness and without bringing dishonor to someone else?
- Are you writing for the glory of God or for yourself?
- Are you ready for spiritual attacks?
If you feel ready and are sure it is the right thing, it is time to share your story! Allow your pain to be someone else’s gain and give the glory to God.
Have you shared a story of God’s grace to you? How has it impacted you and others?
Tereasa is the author of His Pen on My Heart, where she blogs about freedom in Christ, healing from spiritual abuse and raising special children. She is a story teller, painting pictures with words and drawing the reader close to her heart. Her desire is to encourage those who are hurting and point all to Christ, the healer of our broken hearts.
Image source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Life In Bloom Link Up
For those who are joining in to link up today, feel free to link up any post that celebrates your life in bloom! This can be any post from the week on faith, parenting, marriage, recipes, homemaking tips, or something you feel will be a blessing to this Life In Bloom community.
- When linking up please copy and paste in the actual url of your post not just your blog url, so we can find your post later.
- As a courtesy, please link back here, or copy and paste the code for the button provided at the bottom of this blog page, and add it to the bottom of your post so others can find the Life In Bloom community.
- As a way to build up the sisterhood here, please visit a person or two ahead of you in the link up, then everyone feels a part of the sisterhood.
Let’s bloom together!
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I commented over at your place, but I thought I’d drop a line here too! These are great suggestions. I especially appreciate how you emphasize finding healing first. Then spending lots of time in prayer.
I have to admit that I’m always reluctant to share my testimony because it isn’t “sensational”. I have to remind myself that there is an audience for that too and God will be glorified in all of His work in our lives.
Mary Beth
I know how you feel, Mary Beth. I still don’t feel like my life is very exciting. Ha. There has only been one testimony I wish I hadn’t heard. A young man stood up and told the congregation how wonderful it was that he had grown up in the Lord and never fallen into temptation. I prayed for him as he spoke, that Christ would reveal his pride and that he would not be so crushed by it that he would fall away. I am convinced, Mary Beth, that people need to hear that God’s grace is for everyone, even us good girls who struggle with perfection. You have shared your story several times and have done so well. Humbling yourself to lift God up. That is your story.
Yes, timing is everything isn’t it? Much of writing has to do with His commitment to us as His children to become whole and sometimes we mistake that for the applause of an audience. We all have at least one story to tell, and how large the audience is, that’s His doing. Good advice Tereasa and thanks for sharing from your own personal experience.
Everyday is story when you live in Christ and, as you said, God provides the audience. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.
I am glad that you have come to the place where you are able to share and still heal. I believe that sharing, in God’s timing, is part of that process. Not only does it help you, but it also shows the glory of God to others who may need to hear that message.
I wrote a devotional book about writing and sharing your story if anyone wants to read it. http://journeywithd.com/ebooks/ I am happy to share free PDF’s in exchange for a review.
Just as God made each of us unique, He gave each of us a unique salvation story. Sharing it in love can only bring glory to Him.
Thanks for hosting the linkup, and God bless!
Laurie
Thanks for the wonderful posts. I am currently under an attack through my website. I have had several, nasty comments from my estranged sister. I luckily was able to block them before they became public, but it is a problem I am now trying to deal with. I have recently wrote a post about this on my site and pretty much let her know that I will not be dealing with the attacks any longer. I am sure it is going to stir up a hornets nest but I must stand my ground. God has called us to tell our stories to help others and that is what we must do.Great job.