Tell Your Story - Martin Wiles

Series: The Road to Humility

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 NLT

Admitting it made me feel uneasy.

The it was actually a them, and the list dragged on. Things not everyone knew about me. Things I was ashamed of. Things like divorce, financial breakdowns, lust, parental mishaps, addictions, rebellion. Sordid sins that tainted my reputation and could keep me out of certain positions if the wrong person knew.

Now my editor instructed me to be honest in my writings. Put all the bad stuff out there. If I did, others would identify with me. I’d be more human, and more people would read what I wrote.

So I became vulnerable and started sharing it all. Well … most of it. Some things were better left unsaid. I discovered she knew best. Comments from readers told of how they appreciated my honesty … how they’d dealt with some of the same things … how my experience helped them on their spiritual journey.

I stopped worrying about what others thought—the ones who thought they were on a higher spiritual plain. Too good to do some of the things I had done.

I’ve often done what James suggests in small groups and experienced others doing it as well. Confession of sin is the very reason why some avoid these groups. Shame or a refusal to be vulnerable keeps them away.

Telling our stories—even when they’re sordid—keeps us humble and keeps pride away. Pride makes us want to remain quiet. We don’t want others to know we’re less than perfect. We want our facades to be spotless. Fear is pride’s counterpart. Fear of what others will think. Fear they’ll ostracize us, laugh at us, or gossip about us.

Telling our stories helps those who haven’t to open up and share theirs. And sharing—admitting and confessing—is one step on the road to healing. Knowing others face similar things helps. Telling how you conquered your sin gives them fodder to face and overcome theirs.

God uses our weaknesses to assist others. When we’re weak—or when we admit we are—He is strong. Letting others know how God has pulled us through gives them the courage to trust Him to do the same for them.

Don’t fear telling your story to others—even if it includes shameful details. God will use it to help others.

Tweetable: Are you telling your story?

Prayer: Father, give us the courage to share what You’ve done in our lives so others can benefit.

Looking for a wide selection of genres in inspirational books at discount prices? Click here to see selections.

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.