To listen to the audio of this post, follow the link.
I have heard many people give their testimony. The goal of most is to tell about times they were tested by life and survived.
Many recognize God’s Grace and Mercy through their ordeals and want to testify about Him.
Alas, many testimonies are more about the tests than they are about God. Many times testimonies are detailed descriptions of agony followed by almost a postscript of, “And then God saved me.”
The real test of a God testimony is whether we come away with a clearer picture of our Awesome, Loving God. He is not a postscript. Our story should be His Story.
So how do we do that?
First of all, acknowledge the trial, the test, the challenge. It happened. So yes, we have to tell enough that others know it was a tough time.
However, we do not need to recount every tiny detail. Do not use your testimony to repeatedly drain wounds. Draining wounds should be a private matter between you and God.
He may let you talk before you are completely healed. In fact, reports from along the way of the healing journey can help fellow travelers know healing can sometimes be an ongoing process.
But stick to what God is doing and minimize how you are feeling.
Acknowledge this was a pop quiz. Something happened you were not expecting. In spite of your best planning, life will throw curve balls.
Pop quizzes are designed to see if we are consistently studying and not just cramming when we know a test is coming.
Acknowledge this is something you did not want, but you know God is with you and has a Plan for you and everyone else, no matter how difficult the test.
You cannot testify with this confidence until you settle the matter privately with God. He will not let you proclaim what you cannot claim.
Consider these questions.
Where did you see God working for your good through your experience?
How were you changed to better work in bringing God’s Kingdom on earth?
Are you testifying about your pain or His Glory?
Do you understand the tests may get more complex? What did you learn from this test that will help you with future tests?
What part of what you learned is just for you and what part does He want you to share?
I am working my way through those questions myself, as I continue on the journey. This much I know. Paul summed it up well.
Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God!
1 Corinthians 10:31
