Are you hesitant to share your testimony? We may love God with all our heart and desire the same for those who don’t yet know Him. However, sometimes, the mere mention of “sharing your testimony” can send even the godliest running in the opposite direction.
My First Mission Trip
I was over the top excited to finally go on a mission trip. As we prepared each month, I felt more and more comfortable in my skin until the leader gave us an assignment, which I felt was way beyond my capabilities. We needed to write out our testimony both in English and Spanish and practice it.
My cries of, “What – a testimony?” “But I don’t have one. I have been a Christian from a young age.” “I can’t woo the crowds with a before and after Christ story. Plus, evangelism is not one of my gifts.”
Obviously, I didn’t understand the word “testimony.”
We All Have a Testimony
Well, I have come a long way since that day, and oh my goodness has He given me a testimony just like you. Mine I never anticipated, nor did I consider it a “testimony.” My story is not one which includes a before and after transformation in Christ. And guess what that is okay. Mine is the story of embracing life through the unexpected with a God who never leaves me, always sustains me, and gives me peace.
We all have a story that needs to be shared. Each of ours will look different because it belongs to us. It doesn’t have to be riddled with pain, drama, and an ugly past. But if it does use it. Each of us can reach different people, but only if we are willing to share. Are you ready to share your testimony?
To this day, the word “testimony” still makes me squirm in my boots. But ask me to share how God works in my life, and I am all over it. I love telling people how He is my best friend, comforter, and strength.
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Romans 10:14
Our Featured Post
Sarah Geringer wrote an insightful post giving us 4 simple tips to sharing our testimony. No matter if you are already a pro at this, you will want to read her article. After all, we don’t want to miss an opportunity to grow God’s Kingdom, especially over the holidays where opportunities may abound.
The next time you have an opportunity to share your faith, do what I do, and replace the word testimony with a story. It makes all the difference in the world. Click To TweetNow for Our Featured Post
4 Tips for Sharing Your Testimony
By Sarah Geringer
Click here to read our featured post.
Of course, after sharing a story, I still second guess myself. I beat myself up about what I didn’t say and what I wish I had said. But that is why I loved Tip # 4 from Sarah’s s list.
Are you hesitant to share your testimony? Why?
Thank you for being a part of Embracing the Unexpected.
We wish you a Thanksgiving full of God’s goodness.
Sarah, thank you for linking up with Grace & Truth. Grab a button and link back – I am sure your readers would love to celebrate with you!
Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another.
Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement every week. If you’re a blogger, we hope you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader, we hope that you’ll encounter new bloggers that love Jesus as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.
Join us each Friday for the Grace and Truth Link-Up!
To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to Embracing the Unexpected by clicking here.
Maree Dee – Embracing the Unexpected
BLOG | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER
Aimee Imbeau – A Work of Grace
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST
Heather Hart & Valerie Riese – Real Women. Real Life. Real Faith.
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM
1.) Following your hosts via their blog and social media channels is not mandatory, but appreciated!
To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to Embracing the Unexpected by clicking here.
2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. We will delete these links. We also reserve the right to remove articles that don’t align with the theme or are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.
3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community, so please don’t link and run!
4.) We sort all links randomly – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!
Featured Post Requirements
5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. It is not mandatory, but it is required to be featured.
6.) Each host will choose one link to emphasize and promote via their social media channels next week.
Grab a Badge and Link Back to this Post.
Now Let’s Link Up!
Join us for the Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up. #graceandtruth #bloglinkup #christianbloggers Click To Tweet
It’s Not Too Late – Join the Challenge
Free Workbook Available
During November, take this challenge with us. We will be Embracing 30 Days of Gratitude. If you are not on our email list and would like to request your free workbook, click here. It is only available during November.
For all the details on how to fully participate in our gratitude challenge – click here.
We would love to have you join our community.
Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee
Subscribe today and never miss a post.
To find a few of my favorite places where I might be sharing this post, click here.
I love your perspective on this, Maree. I love the idea of taking the fear out by just replacing “testimony” with “story”. I’ve struggled to convey the message that little day-to-day stories are so powerful and you did an absolutely beautiful job!
Valerie, I agree, “the little day-to-day stories are powerful.” After all, that is where we live. Maree
No, I’m not hesitant in sharing my testimony Maree. I love sharing everything God is doing in my life because it’s so exciting! Hence being a blogger.
But I do need to be wise & heed the Holy Spirit’s timing of what I share! 😉
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer – I love your excitement to share what God is doing in your life. Maree
I was one who used to think my story was not compelling. But God works powerfully in us all and wants us to share for His glory. laurensparks.net
Lauren, You are so right God does work powerfully in each of us. Maree
Thank you for featuring me this week! Blessings to you, Maree.
All the thanks go to you for writing such an inspiring and helpful article. I hope your Thanksgiving is terrific. Maree
Giving my testimony scares me, but sharing my story about how God has impacted my life, now that is doable. What a great way to think about sharing our testemony
Theresa – I am right there with you. It is doable to share our story. Blessings to you, Maree
I also really enjoyed Sarah’s post from last week. We forget sometimes that our testimony is our story–nothing more and certainly nothing less. Story is a powerful tool in the hands of God.
Michele – I love what you said, “our story–nothing more and certainly nothing less.” Comparing them is what gets me going in the wrong direction. I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving. Maree
Thanks Maree and Sarah for sharing about your experiences in relaying your “testimony”. Like you, Maree, I don’t have a dramatic “before/after” story, but I do have many stories of God’s faithfulness in my life that I love sharing. The one GREAT thing about sharing you personal story is that people can argue “theology” to Kingdom come, but they can’t argue your personal story of how a triune God has worked in your life. Great post!
Blessings,
Bev
Bev – Yes, I agree people can’t argue our story. Yes, you do have many wonderful stories of God’s faithfulness. Blessings, Maree
Yes, sharing my testimony is unsettling to me, too. I can write it fine, but speaking face to face with someone who doesn’t know the Lord makes me uneasy, even though I want them to hear the gospel. I enjoyed Sarah’s post a lot–great encouragement there.
By the way, I don’t see the link-up button on any of the host’s blogs. Maybe I am a bit early?
Barbara, I hope you found the other host’s link-up button. I think you must be on East Coast time. I am always so excited when I wake up and see your smiling face and encouraging words Iin the comment section. Thank you.
For some reason, the word “testimony” makes me quiver and end up with a loss of words. I am trying to get over it and look at it as sharing who I love. Sarah’s post was fantastic; I am glad you like it. Happy Thanksgiving. Maree