Your Story Matters

Your testimony can change lives.

Recently, I was invited out to dinner with a new friend I’d met through divorce ministry. We were also joined by a Dallas newcomer who was actively seeking new friendships upon her relocation following a series of traumas from her personal divorce.

Curious about my new author journey toward the recent launch of Letters From Love’s Battlefield, she asked me many “how to” questions surrounding the actual creation and publishing of a book. I was humbled to share my experience during our Girl’s Night Out. They wanted to know everything from my survival to the commitment that actually put pen to paper.

“It was truly a faith walk,” I admitted. “But I knew all the time and intense labor could potentially help other women, so I clung to my WHY.”

 She sighed and replied somewhat enviously.

“I have felt God’s calling to write a book for so long, but I just don’t know where to start,” she confessed after sharing vulnerable insights from her personal life experiences. She had become a steadfast woman of faith with a powerful testimony, and I was in awe as I listened to her reminisce of her journey.

I replied, “Well what message do you want to share, and who would you define as your readers? These will be the readers you will write and market to.”

She sat back and thought for a bit. “I just feel called to share my faith journey through some pretty dark places,” she replied. “Marketing a book for money is not my purpose.”

While I didn’t sugar coat the business of publishing at all, I continued to stress that the ultimate purpose and responsibility of a writer is to write and market to readers as I magnified the unrealized potential of her testimony to help others.

“But if you don’t market a product that walks others through your journey, how can God use it for good to impact lives by getting your story into the hands of readers who need to hear your message of hope?” I replied.

It was then that she went silent. By her response, I felt I’d crossed the line, and this was not my first experience when approaching this subject with “could be” authors who are hesitant to share their testimonies as marketable products. They view their writings purely as gifts to God for His provisions through pain to the other side of their circumstance. Our conversations usually begin with basic questions about the path to publishing. Then suddenly, their questions abruptly hush when I divert to marketing as if it’s sinful and "salesy" to exchange one’s experience, wisdom, and hope for a monetary price. Plus, "no-names" don’t get read.

Let me tell you as an author – this misconception is just not true!

Did you know that God commands us to share our testimonies? Yes, it’s biblical! Your story matters and elaborates your uniquely qualified experience to potentially change lives for the better. Now that you have read that, go back and reread it! He delights to reveal our healing because those victories were manifested by Him through our faith. And He not only commands us to share our stories, but He tells us to speak what God has done for us through our pain boldly.

"Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."  

(Psalm 66:16)

Think about it! Remember the apostles? They did not have journalism degrees. In fact, none of them wrote a single word of the New Testament until after Jesus’ resurrection. At Pentecost as Jesus prepared to leave this world until His next return, He commanded each of the apostles to spread the good news of God’s victory over death boldly and broadly across the lands. Imposter syndrome was the least of their fears. Not only were they unknowns and lack persuasive speaking skills, but they could not communicate in the many foreign tongues.

But Jesus’ message to the apostles was simple and straightforward, and His command to share the message of His resurrection miracle with both Jews and Gentiles across the world would NOT be harnessed by worldly insecurities. God had their backs!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 

(Acts 1:8)

Notice God’s promise in this verse. Where He calls us, He equips us, just as He equipped each of His disciples through the holy spirit. Obedient to their faith, each shared God’s message intentionally and boldly to the multitudes who craved hope amid their despairs. This included church letters and vast witnessing across Europe and Asia. In turn, their obedience to God’s call built the foundation of the Christian church. Where would Christians be today if any of Jesus’ disciples had relinquished their callings to write and speak across the lands due to personal fears and challenges? How many lives would have gone unchanged, unhealed, unsaved?

My key inspiration for any aspiring writer muted by fear is if we don’t trust God and authentically share our testimonies with all its ugly adversities broadly and boldly, how can we enlighten hope to others when they themselves could be spiraling in a sea of despair? They need knowledge, empathy, and our guided wisdoms, and your WHY could begin by inviting Him to use your personal journey to inspire hope to a hurting world. The inner fire of His calling is strong and unmistakable because your story matters! And your written or spoken testimony could break the silence of a unique hope not yet heard.

So don’t fight it, resorting to the multitude of excuses including imposter syndrome, lack of time, or journalistic know-how. Instead, share it joyfully, unapologetically, and strategically so that it will arrive in the hands of those God leads it to through marketing. Readers will benefit and find value through your experience. And accept that they will dedicate attention and money to resources that provide healing and hope, which in turn comforts His children and grows His kingdom amid their troubles.

Verse of Reflection

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33 NIV)

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