Sharing Your Story Even When It Hurts

At bible study yesterday morning, God put it on my heart to share a part of my story that is hard for me to share.  Not because of shame or guilt, but because of the vulnerability it brings, the emotion it brings back, every single time.

I shared about my dad's illness, battle with extremely aggressive brain cancer, and death. It happened over 12 years ago, I was 19 years old when he was diagnosed and 20 when he passed away, but it never gets easier. It is a huge part of my story and who I am, but it is so hard to share because every time I share about that part of my life I feel weak, I cannot share about it with new people without sobbing. I am learning though that God works in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.), and He is giving me more strength every single day to share my testimony more boldly so He may be glorified.

When I shared yesterday, although I was a blubbering mess, I was encouraged. A woman in my bible study thanked me after for having the STRENGTH to share, she said I have encouraged her to try to be more vulnerable in sharing her story. WOW, God is so good. I felt weak, but in Christ I was strong and an encouragement to others! (Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.)

My prayer today is that God will continue to give me the strength to be BOLD for Him and share my story more. That even though I may feel incredibly weak, that I would be seen as strong in Him and that my story would bring others to see the hope that is found only in Jesus Christ, My Savior.