I was recently talking with a friend, actually more than one friend and we were discussing how "our stories" matter. The Bible speaks of there being a time for everything. Ec 3:1 "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven". Where we have been doesn't matter as much as where has God brought us from where we have been. Our struggles; our trials; our joys; our victories...these things have a purpose. The purpose is not reflect ourselves but to reflect the glory of God as he saw us through. What did he do for you? You may be the very encouragement someone needs today.
For me, God took a shy girl, full of insecurities and hurts and He healed me. It was a process, just like most things, but the process was well worth it. Some things the Lord did quickly in me, others took awhile. My hurts are no longer hurts but victories. If I have my eyes fixed on Jesus, I will change, because my aim is at glorifying the Lord, reflecting Him not me. When I am going through a particular hard time, I try to remember that God knows what He is doing. He knows what it is in me that has to change, He can see down the road, He knows where I am going and what it is going to take to get me there.
Just recently I had the chance to share with our youth group part of my story. My trials and struggles will become part of my story, my victories in the Lord if I keep my eyes focused on the Lord. Maybe I will share my story at least in part with you. Be encouraged, my victory is coming, your victory is coming.
