I don’t make a point of telling anyone the nasty truth of my past until I know them very, very well…and know they love me!
When I do disclose my life before Christ, I want to make sure the response I get is, “You’re kidding? YOU? I can’t believe that!”
A few weeks ago, I was invited to give my testimony to the Bible study group I attend on Tuesday nights. I accepted, but immediately started thinking of a million ways to back out of the commitment.
This group of women is brand new to me. There’s no telling what they would think of me after hearing my story. Worse yet, there were still several weeks of the study left. Just the thought of seeing them each week was excruciating!
The first thing I did was to write the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God! And believe me, I needed His help just getting through that process.
I cried as I typed the details of the horrible decisions I’d made over the years. I cried even more when I described the consequences of those choices. The guilt, shame, disgust…ugh.
When I finished, I was exhausted. The emotions were overwhelming. The process was extremely difficult, but cathartic.
That night, I told nearly 60 women about the trials and troubles of my life.
It was hard.
It was healing.
The ugly story of my past became this fabulous story of triumph and redemption!
Who Knew?
I had never connected the dots of my life before Christ and life after Christ. It was nothing short of amazing!
Whatever your story is, I pray you go through the same process I did. Write your story…the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God.
Accept His love and grace and celebrate your freedom!
Nothing takes the past away like our future in Christ!
Amen Sista ! I walked this path (past/present) 4 years ago–it was liberating and to my surprise a means of liberating others. My past is ugly (REAL UGLY) and my present is always challenging —BUT my present regardless of challenge is w/Jesus (giving me the strength and hope to get through it) and my future (both here on earth and to come in Gods Kingdom) is secured in Christ. 🙂 My past, present and future are at rest in Jesus!! It’s awesome!! I’m not sure how anyone can do life (in general or during crises) w/out Jesus. 🙂
Beautifully said, Therese. I could have written this myself (although not near as eloquintly).
Thanks for sharing that. Such sweet words. Your story was awesome as what lit up was not your past decisions or the consequences but the beautiful lady, the sweet daughter of a KING that he has taken pretty messy clay and molded a gorgeous vessel that He can fill and use for His glory. That is what I got out of your story. And I didn’t know you before but guess what – I love you more now. What a sweet testimony of God’s grace. I love being a part of it. Yea God. Praise HIM for you.