The Power of a Story

Have you ever noticed that Jesus was always telling stories? Every parable ever recorded was simply a story He shared to illustrate a deeper, spiritual principle. When we share our testimony, all we’re doing is telling a part of our story.

 Stories are powerful. People will remember a story before they ever remember just facts. People will retell a story before they relay just data. Because of this, we have to be conscious of the stories we choose to tell – not just to others, but also to ourselves.

 As I’ve spent the last week thinking about the topic of insecurities, I’ve come to believe that many of our insecurities lie in the untrue stories other people told about us that we allowed ourselves to believe. Not only did we choose to believe those untrue stories, but we’ve also chosen to keep retelling them to ourselves – replaying them and reliving them over and over again until we have forged them into the very fiber of our being. We no longer see it as a story someone once told, we now see it as a part of who we are. And no matter how many facts we know or how much truth we’re told from the Word of God, the power of that story still prevails.

 I believe another source of insecurity comes from taking old survival strategies into new seasons. Maybe there were things you felt you had to do in order to survive back then. But the very things that helped you then, are hindering you now. When you enter into a new season, you have to embrace your new story. I’ll even take the liberty of saying old stories must pass away so you can behold the new.

 Don’t continue to believe the old story of you’re not pretty, when God says you’re beautifully and wonderfully made. Stop convincing yourself you’re not good enough, when God says His grace is sufficient for you. No more telling yourself you’re unqualified to do what God has called you to do, when He says in your weakness He is made strong.

 I believe insecurity is the gallows the enemy has set up to get you hung up. Well, I say to you today, “Hang him on it!” Consciously choose to use the very thing the enemy tried to make you insecure about for the glory of God. If you’re insecure about being seen, start sitting on the front row in worship. If you’re insecure about speaking in public, purposely share more of God’s Word with others. If you don’t feel like you know enough, begin sharing what you do know to help set others free… your testimony. As you do, you will begin to see the truth and the power of your new story.

To go even deeper, get your copy of one or all of our Everyday Wisdom Book Series and subscribe to our Everyday Wisdom Podcast.