Your Story Is Worth Sharing! (4-Year Blogging Anniversary Giveaway)

Exciting news! August 2 was the 4th anniversary of my blogging adventure. I can’t believe it’s been that long! In honor of God’s grace and blessings over these 4 years and the love and support you’ve extended to me, I’m giving away 4 books. Every Thursday during the month of August I’ll have a giveaway for a new book. Read the entire post and enter to win the first book below (now don’t skip to the end without reading the post!).

Four years ago, I knew little about social media, nothing about blogging, and had no interest in doing either. Enter a high school senior son who insisted I embrace a bit of his teenage world and learn how to navigate the online world.

I wanted to encourage women. Daniel believed in my ability to do so and helped me figure out a way to do it from my home.

So for four years I’ve been sharing encouragement via a blog and on various social media sites. It’s been an amazing journey. Scary and fulfilling, painful and beneficial, all rolled into one.

Easy to Quit

At times I felt like quitting, believing I had nothing to say anyone would want to hear. It’s easy to quit when you start listening to Satan’s lies over the Lord’s truth.

It's easy to quit when you start listening to Satan's lies over the Lord's truth. Share on X

The truth is, God is working in each of our lives. That means we have something of importance to say. “We” means you too!

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.” Psalm 105:1

God is working in each of our lives. That means we have something of importance to say. Share on X

But we need to listen to Him so we know what to say and when, and so we can draw strength from Him.

Listen to that Still Small Voice

In 1 Kings, Elijah was in trouble. He prophesied the words of the Lord and carried out His instructions, which ended in the death of many Baal prophets and ticked off Queen Jezebel. She wanted Elijah dead; he ran away fearful and despondent.

The Lord cared for His prophet’s physical needs by providing water and food. While hiding in a cave, Elijah finally heard the Lord speaking,

“Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.” 1 Kings 19:11

In a soft whisper, God spoke strength into Elijah’s heart (1 Kings 19:12), and the refreshed prophet continued his ministry.

Like Elijah, we need to listen to God’s still small voice. Sometimes that means getting away from the distractions of this world, and perhaps even of our ministry, for a bit.

Let the Lord speak strength into your heart.

You Have a Worthy Story

I don’t know how God wants you to share your story. But I know you have one to share. He has given you a unique message that only you can present in your trademark way.

God has given you a unique message that only you can present in your trademark way. Share on X

Each of our stories are important for our intended audience. He may want you to reach out to your neighbors or coworkers. He may provide you with an online audience or a large in-person platform. He may ask you to share from your office desk by writing for print magazines or maybe even a book.

You may be sharing from an area of deep pain or in the aftermath of a grand victory. As long as you share honestly about God’s redeeming work in your life, your words have value.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Lean on Him

It’s easy to become exhausted as we share our faith with those around us. Feeling overwhelmed has assailed me many times throughout these four years.

Often this happens when I lose touch with why I’m writing. I become weary with ministering when I let my why slip away.

When I lose touch with the reason I encourage others, I become more concerned about the task of sharing than the One who’s asking me to share it.

As you share the glory of the Lord with those around you, abide in the Author of your story. Spend time with Him. Fill up with His love and His truth. That’s when you’ll have the focus and the strength to fulfill His calling on your life.

Fill up with God's love and truth, and gain the focus and strength you need to fulfill His calling on your life. Share on X

My friends, don’t minimize the impact of His story as it plays out in your life. Pray about it. How does God want you to share your story?

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4

Reflections: What message do you feel God wanting you to share? To whom is He calling you to minister?

Now for what you’ve all been waiting for: the first 4-Year Blogging Anniversary Giveaway is the newly released It’s Good to Be Queen: Becoming As Bold, Gracious, and Wise As the Queen of Sheba by the one and only Liz Curtis Higgs! If you haven’t yet read one of Liz’s books, you must! If you already have, don’t miss this one!! The winner will be randomly drawn after midnight on Wednesday, August 12.

Follow the Rafflecopter instructions to enter. And thank you for your support as I endeavor to encourage you by God’s grace.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Next Thursday, I’ll be giving away my friend Jill Beran‘s book, Letters from Leanne: The Beauty of a Spiritual Mother-Daughter Relationship, co-written with Leanne Anderson. This book is a beautiful story of mentorship among women.

Finally, I’m linking with Bonnie Gray, the Faith Barista.