Everyone has a story. They just need a little encouragement and help. I hope you find the inspiration to tell yours through the why and how to share your story.

If you’ve been following along with me for any amount of time, you know I homeschool 4 kiddos. When they are away from me for any amount of time, everyone has a story to tell me. They actually fight to be the first to get their stories out. They can’t wait to share with me what happened in their brief time away.

Stories are a big part of who we are as people. Even with out being able to read or write, a people group can communicate to the next generation through the stories they tell. It’s how we get to know others well. Not just those “hey, how are ya?” type acquaintances but really knowing some one involves knowing their past, their pain, their struggles, their joys, their dreams, and what they want for the future.

You hear some one’s heart beat through the stories they tell. My stories usually have two elements: God and family. Those are the truth of who I am, a child of God, follower of Christ, wife to an amazing man, and mother to four beautiful children.

Maya Angelou once said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

I agree. God gives us stories for a reason. After all, stories are born out of a life experience that He has strategically organized or brought you through.

We need to share them. Sharing our stories, helps us to remember. Sometimes, it helps us to understand. And, in some cases, it helps us heal.

Why to Share Your Story

Sharing Our Story Helps Us Remember God’s Faithfulness

I recently had the privilege to share two stories, on two different blogs, ran by two beautiful women of God. In sitting down to pray through what and how I would share, and then writing out what I felt led to convey, God reminded me of His faithfulness. I praised Him for His plans for my life and how He always knows best. His ways are best even when I can’t see the outcome. The remembering draws us nearer to the Lord. Just look how many times in scripture we are told to remember:

“And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” Deuteronomy 8:2

(He told the children of Isreal over 15 times in Deuteronomy to remember what He had done for them.)

I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. Psalm 77:11

Sharing Our Story Helps Others

“Our collective stories and experience can be the greatest textbooks of life. But with every shameful story stuffed away, we bypass the chance to expand and connect — a missed opportunity slipped through our fingers.” — Kristen Noel

How many times have you been able to share an experience that helped some one else with a situation or struggle? Or, how many times have you identified or been inspired by some one with a story or trial similiar to your own?

Our stories allow others to see God working out the bad for good. I think a lot about the trials Joseph faced but God always spared His life, made him prosper and in the end, Joseph was able to say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

Our stories allow others to look for God in their own stories. Sometimes, it propels them to seek Him more earnestly. It allows them to question us and get sincere answers that are raw and vulnerable and most times just what they need to hear. And it allows God’s strength to shine through because it is only through Him that we start condemned and then through grace, come out victorious.

The Bible Tells Us to Share Our Story

Once we have trusted Christ as our Lord and Savior, technically our story is not our own but is written by the hand of our heavenly Father. The Word of God tells us that it becomes our duty to share His story.

• Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Psalm 150:1-2 NIV

• “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:39 NIV

• Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

• How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14 NIV

Practical Tips for Sharing your Story

What to Share

-Your Personal Testimony of Salvation

-Your Struggles that Ended in Triumph

–Your Suffering that God is Using for His Glory

-Your Success and Victories that focus on God’s Goodness

How to Share Your Story

Pray

-Lots of prayer on what to include. Not all parts of our story are for others. Somethings are personal and some are between us and the Lord. And, some may offend or hurt others involved.

-Prayer for confidence and humility.

-Pray for God to use your story to encourage, inspire, and comfort others.

Prepare

-Practical preparation questions to ask your self.

• What did you find helpful that others might identify with?
• What questions might others have that you can address?
• What background should be explained and what details might need to be left out to keep to the focus of the story?
• Who else is involved in the story that you many need to ask their permission to share?

Practice

-Write it out and practice sharing with your family and others you trust first.

-Be willing to take positive feedback and corrective criticism.

-Consider where you might share publicly in a safe, comfortable space. A private social media account, a church small group, or with a group of close friends.

A willing heart that is prepared is key to the Holy Spirit being able to use you!!

When to Share Your Story

-Anytime you get a chance to meet some one new is a perfect time! Small talk gets us no where. Real talk makes us trusted friends.

-With some one facing similar struggles.

-In a church or group setting where being vulnerable may help others to open up and share their own stories.

So, I want to encourage you to share the stories inside of you that are struggling to break free. Pray for God to confirm its what He wants you to share and then give your anxiety and fears to Him and just go for it! The only way to fail is to let worry keep you from sharing a story that can change the world. I hope the how and why to tell your story motivate you that you have something to share and some one out there needs to hear it.