YOUR STORY

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“There is an appropriate way to use your story, not as an excuse but as a testimony to God's ability to free you from the past.”

― Andy Stanley

You have heard the clichés right?

There is no TESTIMONY without a TEST.

Make a MESSAGE out of your MESS.

Both good.

Both true.

But I like what Andy says too.

That a story of deliverance or healing is to be shared because it DEMONSTRATES GOD!

Recently a friend who has been saddled for the longest time with a hard-core opiate addiction was finally “caught”.  For him that was a “bad day”. There was jail.  There was an element of shame. There was the revelation to those closest to him that the problem he had been denying was VERY real.

And while this month-plus has been a test and a bit of a mess, as I was checking in on him late last week, I offered this little quote from Andy. 

You see by all accounts my friend should be dead.  What he was ingesting would have taken you or I out.  I am confident of that.  I see it every day in my job(s)

Yet GOD has spared his life FOR A REASON.  The reason?  

His story.

And yes he has a long way to go, but already he has some amazing chapters to share!

The truth is our stories coupled with the PROMISE of CHRIST are POWERFUL THINGS; conquering things!!! (they have conquered…by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony – Revelation 12:11 - ESV)

So I spent the better part of an hour reminding my friend of the privilege of his story, reminding him to HONOR the opportunity to share it, to be grateful for it!  I reminded him that his story was a treasure that was not to be left hidden or taken for granted but to be illuminated each day! 

No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. – Matthew 5:15 (NLT)

Perhaps you are in the middle of test at the moment?

How about a mess? 

Are you leaning on GOD? 

Are you looking for the learning?  Or making excuses?

Have you gone to Him seeking the PURPOSE in the PROBLEMS and the PAIN? 

Rick Warren comments that:

Your pain often reveals God’s purpose for you. God never wastes a hurt! If you’ve gone through a hurt, he wants you to help other people going through that same hurt. He wants you to share it. God can use the problems in your life to give you a ministry to others. In fact, the very thing you’re most ashamed of in your life and resent the most could become your greatest ministry in helping other people.

The Bible backs that up.

2 Corinthians 1:4, 6 (NLT)

God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things.

So value your story my friends even the messy parts.  

Share it willingly.  

It may be just the thing that REVEALS GOD to someone else!

Love you all…

Opportunities for Hope