It’s been amazing to be able to share my story and encourage others over the last 20 years since I lost my arm.
Only God could have anticipated all the goodness and beauty that could come from something so awful.
Stories are so important because they remind us that we are not alone in our tough times. Other people are going through similar things. Stories encourage us that others have gotten through and overcame their difficulties. We can too with the right mindset and God’s help.
I believe we ALL can share our stories. YOUR story is just as valuable as mine or as anyone else’s.
Maybe your story isn’t told through a book, movie or speaking tour, but just being a mentor and sharing with the people around you still has a huge impact. There are so many people that are hurting and going through pain. I think in our American culture, we have lost our sense of communicating our hardships and our trials to others. We really need those open voices and elders in our lives to share what they have been through.
In hard times, it’s so comforting to hear the wisdom or advice from someone who has already been through it.
Sometimes we need someone ahead of us that we can look up to.
With that being said, I’ve never been one to idolize or celebrate people on a pedestal. I always feel uncomfortable when people do that to me. Everyone is human so there is no perfect person to look up to in every area of life except for Christ. To me, it’s better to see the people you admire for who they are, what they have been through and how they have overcome. You can acknowledge their flaws, but then kind of “cherry pick” certain aspects of their life that are really remarkable and glean from those.
My encouragement for you today is to be open and vulnerable with your story.
Share it with those around you when you have the chance. You never know how God is going to use it. He might use you as a light in someone’s life and an example of how they can overcome.
Vulnerability brings about more vulnerability. When you are vulnerable with your story, others will want to be vulnerable with theirs in return. This can create an awesome community that knows each other deeply and supports each other consistently.
And I’m not talking about just sharing these things on social media for all to see. Have those face to face conversations with that person in your life, whether it’s a friend or your son or daughter. Those are the opportunities, those are the people God has placed in your life to be a light to.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and tell others what God has done in your life!
