your voice matters

“Friendship is born at that 

moment when one person says 

to another, 'What! You too?

 I thought I was the only one.” 

- C.S. Lewis

I saw this quote on Sunday and found it so appropriate because I’ve found that the best relationships in my life have started with the sentiment, “I’ve been there too.” 

Other people’s testimonies have helped me walk through some of the hardest seasons of my life. It was as if they knew exactly what to say, how to empathize, and how to advise me right where I was. I’ve found so much victory in my life because of others who were willing to share the darkest parts of their stories with me and how they’d overcome.

BUT CAN I TELL YOU MY STRUGGLE WITH SHARING MY OWN STORY?

While I LOVED the idea of encouraging others, 

I was ashamed of my story. 

I didn't think that I had anything to offer anyone. 

I didn’t think that I was qualified.

I felt that because I hadn't walked through a hard season perfectly, I wasn’t the right person to share my testimony with others.

And maybe you've struggled with those thoughts too. 

Maybe you grew up in a “What happens here, stays here” household so you've mastered suppression.

Maybe someone you opened up to betrayed your trust.

Maybe you’ve dealt with a specific sin, and you're afraid that people would judge you. Or worse, be utterly disgusted with you.

But guess what, friend?

Those are all lies from the enemy. 

He goes out of his way to attach fear to the things that God has for us. If Satan is going out of his way to attach fear and anxiety to your testimony and to your voice, you can best believe that there’s breakthrough for you and someone else on the other side of it.

Can I share some good news? 

Fear is the exact opposite of what the Word of God teaches us!

"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us," (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, TPT)
When we go through hard seasons in life, the Holy Spirit comforts us so that we can comfort someone else through the same thing. Do you know what that means? It means that the Holy Spirit TRUSTS you to comfort someone in something that He’s walked you through -- regardless of how you feel about it. You may not feel qualified, but you are because you're empowered by the Holy Spirit.

When we share what God has done for us, it not only helps someone else to walk in victory, but it also helps us to recount the goodness of God to ourselves. Have you ever had a moment where you’re telling a story and you suddenly remember details that you’d completely forgotten? Our testimonies give us hope that God has been faithful to us, and that He will continue to be faithful to us.

So, be encouraged today, friend. 

God has not given you a spirit of fear.

Your testimony concerning your identity matters to the person who thinks they have no worth.

Your victory over porn matters to the person who is struggling in purity.

Your breakthrough in your finances matters to the one who doesn’t think that God is a provider.

Remember that you have victory over the enemy.

He cannot silence you unless you allow him to.

Your testimony matters. 

The person you're called to reach matters. 

Share your story.