Sharing Your StorySample

When we pretend to be doing great, we credit ourselves for success we don’t even have. When we are honest about our struggles, we credit God for the mercies he shows us.

If I told you about a prolific church planter who had started churches in a dozen cities, what kind of person would you imagine? Charming and charismatic? Insightful and wise? They must know a lot about church planting strategies and be an inspiring leader that attracts a crowd.

Not Paul, apparently. He says he wasn’t a good speaker or wise philosopher. He was weak, and afraid and didn’t hide his fears from the Corinthians. Paul’s church planting strategy was to talk about Jesus Christ crucified and let the power of the Holy Spirit transform lives, drawing people to the Father, convicting them of sin and truth, and making them holy.

Paul talked about the crucified messiah and lived the life of a disciple of Jesus, bearing his cross for all to see. If he ever felt shame when he was beaten or abused, he didn’t let it stop him, because he knew that in his sufferings, he was worshipfully aligning himself with his master, he was making himself a visible portrait of God’s love for the world which led to the cross, and he was demonstrating to people the power of God. Despite his weakness, he saw great things happen as he obeyed God’s call on his life. The one who called him can make something out of nothing, bring life out of death, and build His kingdom through weak servants.

Whatever you are struggling with, bring your requests to God. Bring your tears. He has comfort for you, a purpose for you, and power that can work through you and show the world how great your God is.

Lord, help me to be honest about my struggles, draw close to you in my suffering, and give you the credit for the good fruit in my life.