Who Needs Your Story?

“’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 
 
It was time to share joys and concerns in the church. Shelly wanted to raise her hand and share that she finally made it through a difficult semester of college. But after hearing the testimonials of those who beat cancer and saved a friend from suicide, she believed that her story wasn’t compelling enough.

She sat back and decided she wasn’t going to say anything. But in doing so, she inadvertently stretched her arms up high. The pastor, thinking that she was raising her hand said, “Shelly, what’s on your mind?” She was embarrassed because she didn’t want to share her testimony on that day.  
However, she mustered the strength to share with the church that she had completed a difficult course and was excited for her next chapter.  

Little did she know that there was another student in the church who, too, was struggling with a class. She was thinking about giving up; and the next day she was going to tell her advisor that she was dropping the course.
 
After hearing Shelly’s testimony, she went up to her after church and shared how she too felt the pressure of being in a difficult course. On that day, Shelly testimony led the other student to hang in the course a little longer.

She was shocked because she didn’t think her story would mean anything. But her story made all the difference.  

As believers of Christ, God allows things to happen in you, through you, and around you not only for your own personal testimony, but so you can help others who may be in your predicament.  

Never underestimate what the Lord can do through your testimony. Remember, there is a purpose in your pain. What you have been through is not just for you. Who needs to hear your story?