Dear Christian Woman, Your Testimony Matters

Have you ever felt prompted to help other women but you just weren’t sure how?  Perhaps you’ve never considered telling your story.  Your story is unique and all your own.  No one else has one just like it and no one can tell it the way you can.  As you read this post you will be inspired to share your testimony and how God has shown up in your life.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to my friend Julie Loos from Unmasking the Mess as my first guest post in the Sunshine and Scripture Tour.  Julie not only reminds us about how authenticity breaks down barriers but about how hurting people need to hear your message.  Her writing is nothing short of extraordinary and you will be emboldened to step out and share what God has done in your life.

*Disclosure: Post may contain affiliate links.

The Holocaust was a horrific event in history.  Many people lost their lives. Those that remained carried the sights, sounds, and images in their hearts forever. Many individuals stand out during the time frame, not because they suffered more or experienced something far worse than others, but because they told their story.

Anne Frank wrote her story in a diary and Viktor Frankl shared his in a book.

If either of them would have kept their story hidden, we would have missed the real accounts of the Holocaust. We can’t imagine it without being there, but both of these individuals gave us an up close and personal view of what they experienced.

Bold Bravery

When we read other’s survival stories, it causes determination within us. Doesn’t it cause us to believe, I can survive whatever I’m going through? It gives us encouragement and a hope to read about other’s struggles.

Boldness is needed when stories are shared.

What if Anne and Viktor kept their stories hidden? What if they didn’t want to admit the feelings they had gone through, the pain and struggle with their faith?

Hiding Away

Everyone has some form of junk they’ve experienced. Many times, don’t we feel like we are the only ones who struggle? Friends seem to be living on easy street, and we’re in the city dump.

Who wants to showcase their nervous breakdown or depression? Instead, we want to mask ourselves and tell others we’re great,  and life is fine.

How many time have you caught yourself saying to yourself, what’s wrong with me? Why does everyone else have it together, I’m a mess?

But, My Story Is Rated R

My story is too evil, bad, horrible, sinful…you add the description you’ve used in your mind before.

People would see the real us, and what if they didn’t like it? What if they looked down their noses at us?

Rejection, repulsion, and retribution are definite realities when we unmask and let our experience out.

As a result,  we hide and find the most flattering mask we can conjure up to appear how we want others to see us.

It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

My Story

My past is not something I’m proud of. I have acted in ways which were hurtful and left negative impressions on those I love. Control was something I thought I needed to master, and I was constantly striving and trying to display I had a life together and neatly wrapped up.

The reality is trying to keep it all together caused stress. Eventually, anxiety and depression closed in, and I was bound up tight.

I was embarrassed to admit to others how I really felt, or what I was struggling with.

As a Christian, my whole trust should be in God, His provisions, and direction. I got it all wrong.

When God urged me to write, I put Him off. I thought I had to heal first and then write. What I have found is sharing my story has healed so many of my gaping heart holes.

THE PAIN AND SHAMEFULNESS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH HOPE AND A PURPOSE OF REACHING OTHER WOMEN STRUGGLING IN HARD TIMES.

Inspiring Stories Change Lives

What if I told you someone out there needed to hear your story? What if their life would change and become better because of you?

What Your Story Can Showcase

Struggle- Display your feelings and faith. How you made it through.

Truth- Raw, authentic view and perspectives as a Christian woman.

Origin- What pain afflicted you, and what you are doing to break this cycle from repeating.

Reason- What you have learned and what you feel is your purpose now.

TestimonY– God’s glory and your mission field to help others.

The Authentic Christian

We Can’t Be An Expert Without The Experience.

I don’t know about you, but I want to hear about other’s experiences. I’d like to hear about their struggle and how with God they overcame. It’s uplifting when I hear about how God brought them through.

“So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News”
2 Timothy 1:8 NLT

You can be a comfort to other women struggling. Your pain can become a powerful testimony. We can give hope and assurance that God will help them through.

God needs you as His hands and feet in a culture where the focus is self-help. Only God can bring true lasting healing. He is the only one who can transform us into the masterpiece He has planned.

God Can Transfer Your Experience Into Excellence.

While we aren’t living in the Holocaust anymore, we are living in a world where others lose their lives each day.  Unbelief, death, suicide and many other tragic endings are stealing lives each day.

What if your life experience created hope and encouragement to another person? Who is going to come up to you in Heaven and say thank you,  because you made a difference in my life?

Meet Julie:

Believer, wife, and mom to 5 kids. Owner of Unmasking the Mess.

I’m trying to walk by faith and it’s tough. I stink at being a Christian and blow it daily.

Follow me on:

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest

Please make sure you visit all 5 bloggers in the Tour…

Sue | Mama of Three Boys     Dani | Living Free Indeed

Nicole | Courage. Hope. Love.     Julie | Unmasking The Mess

Natalie | Milk and Honey Faith