Lies hide the truth. They cover the truth. When the truth is covered, we often forget it’s there, instead we cling to the lie like it’s truth. And that’s where it all begins, we begin to build our identity around these lies instead of the truth that’s hidden just beneath the surface.
As I shared in my last blog weak to W A R R I O R this is
The LIE: I was weak and living out of my own strength.
The T R U T H: I am a W A R R I O R of God and am living out of HIS strength.
Throughout the month I have had the opportunity to share my testimony several times. Each time I shared my testimony I highlighted and emphasized different points. At first I wrote out my testimony and shared that, then the next time I wrote an outline, and then the last couple times I just shared without any notes. Every time I shared the Spirit would guide my thoughts to emphasize a certain aspect of my life. However, it was always based on my weak to warrior journey.
One particular night I remember sharing my testimony. I emphasized how I had believed the lie that I was weak and how it influenced who I was. I shared how God tore down my lie, my false-self, and replaced it with truth, a new-true self. I shared how I no longer live in fear and shame but rather out of freedom. After I shared I sat back down and our host began to share. I remember sitting there feeling that there was something more I needed to share and how if the night ended right then I would have been disappointed in myself. As our host was getting ready to close us in prayer, I felt the urge to stand and ask our host if the church member could share the lies they believed about themselves and then declare the truth that God speaks over them.
I invited the rest of my team to share the lies they believed and then their truths. After they shared our host shared and the local pastor shared. Then we waited for a little bit, I began thinking ‘God I know you wanted me to have them speak the lies they believed and then have them declare the truth. Why is no one speaking up?’ Another 30 seconds goes by and finally a young woman starts sharing the lie she believed and the shame she felt from it. Then she declares the truth. I could clearly see how she had been holding in this lie for so long, she needed to expose her lie to the light and to step into freedom.
She was the only person to share that night, but I knew that if even just one person shared it was worth it. It was worth it to take a risk and share what God had placed on my heart because it allowed that young woman to step into the light and become free.
This night allowed me to share what God has been teaching me about me being a Warrior, and to see how much of an impact sharing your story can have on someone. I no longer was just internalizing what God what giving me instead I was pouring it back out to those who needed to hear how the truth can set us free!
So I challenge you—who are you sharing your story with? It doesn’t have to be your whole life story; just what God has been teaching you. What lies are you exposing so that the truth can take their place?
