Whenever I have found myself in a tough spot I have always
felt like I needed to keep it from others. My mind comes up with all kinds of
reasons why I shouldn’t let others know I am struggling. You shouldn’t burden
them. They don’t really care about your problems. You don’t want to seem like a
complainer. People don’t like sad people. In those times of struggle I looked
around and only saw people who had never struggled like I did. I was embarrassed
to share with all these perfect people that I was far from their equal.
God has called us to be uplifting to one another. “Therefore
encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians
5:11)” I truly don’t think we can lift up each other until we can speak our own
truths. It is hard for someone who is hurting or in sin to open up to someone
if that person has never been open with them. By sharing your story you can
create a reputation as an honest person to talk to. Do not make the mistake of
never sharing your own struggles because it makes you look either perfect (thus
discouraging others who are struggling), or you look like a fraud (pretending
to be better than everyone else).
Think of it this way, if all you ever do is talk to others
about the good things in your life you are taking away the power of Christ’s
grace. You should boast in the power of our God. “May I never boast except in
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified
to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)” In order to boast about what He
has done for you, you have to share about the mistakes you made that he saved
you from. What did the cross do for you?
My mom used to tell me, “You either learn from someone else’s
example or you learn from your own experiences.” Why shouldn’t we be out there,
as Christian brothers and sisters, sharing our experiences as openly and
honestly as we can in order to save others from making our own mistakes? “25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your
neighbor, for we are all members of one body…29 Do not let any unwholesome talk
come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up
according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:25,29)”
When I was in those tough spots the people around me got me
through by sharing with me the similar struggles that they overcame. I want to
be that person to others, easy to approach. I don’t want to hide my mistakes
for they are what brought me to Christ. If I can also use them to bring others
closer to Him then I will. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you
will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)” Being known as someone who has
overcome sin and struggle is not something to be embarrassed about, it is your testimony
and by sharing you may attract people who need to hear about the grace and love
of God.
God bless,
Tash
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