Testimony: the power of your story

Everyone has a story. Some are dramatic, some are quiet and happier, but all are sacred. This blog post will explores how God meets us in addiction, anxiety, doubt, happiness. If you have been following this blog and reading for a while, or a church-goer or bible reader... you'd know how important testimonies are. Testimonies are our story on how Jesus has worked in our life and how his love has found his way and changed us for the better. 

By sharing our testimony we bring people closer to God.

⚠️Only write your testimony when you feel ready. ⚠️ It's sacred, it's powerful, it's vulnerable... but it's also ok to take your time.

So what is often included in a testimony?

A testimony is the story of how you came to Christ. It often features in three sections:

• Who you were before Christ- how did you carry yourself? How did you act? Give a backstory on your life
• how you came to Christ- Describe what your first encounter with God was like! How did he change your heart?
• How Christ has changed your life- What has changed since you started following christ?

Of course, this is only a brief description of what a testimony looks like. Testimonies can range in soooo many different levels.

What does Jesus say about testimonies

1 Peter 3:15: 

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 

Luke 8:39 : "Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

There are many more verses about what Jesus says about testimonies but basically a testimony is about what Jesus has done for you. How he has changed your life, the hope he's brought. It's like a huge declaration of thanks to the one who saved you. 

But, Heidi... you may be wondering, I have no place to share my testimony. Testimonies aren't a one time thing. They don't have to be shared to the world, on YouTube, on a stage with slow piano in the background. Testimonies can be shared anywhere. Over a 2 minute catch-up over coffee, during a Pilates session... anywhere. 

Always have your testimony prepared. Testimonies are a way to fight back at the devil, to preach what God has done for you. A opportunity to tell people how God has changed your life can come at any given day, at any second. So have your testimony prepared!!!! 

So, as an example, I have decided to share my story, on how Jesus has worked in my life. Here it is...

Hi everyone! My name is Adelaide (or Heidi as yall know me) and I was raised as a missions kid! That meant, I grew up in India with the dirty streets and expensive spices. My parents job was to tell everyone about Jesus. When I was 6 and a half we packed up everything and left to Australia. I had to leave all of my friends to a strange new school where I was the weird kid with speech issues and a lot of strange fears. As a kid, I thought that Jesus was automatically built into my life and that I was already Christian because my parents were Christian. So i never doubted that Jesus was real- until I was into my late tweens. As a tween (11-12 years old) I struggled a lot with identity. I got bullied by some of my closest friends and that really twisted my trust and left me in a dark place. I stopped talking to God. He was just another part of my life- and I never payed any attention to him.

So I left another school- and then finally I found my place.

All of a sudden, I started to get closer with God, I started to laugh, I started to smile. I found the closest friends I could ever ask for.

Then on a youth camp, September 2024 I felt God. 

The night I gave myself to him my body knew something was going to happen. I had no idea beforehand, but my stomach was so nervous I couldn't eat at all. That night my youth pastor asked us, 

"Stand up if you want to give your life to Jesus for the first time." I knew I wanted to give my life to the lord, but I was so conflicted. So eventually, I stood up... but not alone.  I was prayed over by a group of people and I heard this melodic singing in a language I couldn't name... but none of the worship leaders had their mouths open. I asked all my friends if they had heard the singing but no one had heard it. Only one other leader had heard the singing and she claimed it was from the angels.

To this day, I believe the angels were singing over the 17 of us who gave their lives to God.

Fun fact: All of the girls in my year level gave their lives to Jesus that night, as well as one of my best friends.

 I got baptised last year in November and I’m not going to lie and say my life has been perfect this year... I'm also not going to lie and say I've been in dark despair. I've struggled alot with friendships, school and if I'm being totally honest, I've really struggled with some mental battles and insecurities, and it's just been a really hard time. I won't go into it. But this time, I know God is with me and he'll never leave me, no matter what. So even when trying to recover and being happy feels difficult, I try to continue to persist because I know he has a plan for my life.

Since I've gotten to know God, my life has changed completely. I have found out that Jesus loves us no matter what, no matter what we've done.  I am no longer the same person. I act different

I'm still not that "perfect" or, "immaculate." Christian and I will never be. But I will continue to try my best because God is real. I've felt him, I know him. He loves us. trust. 

My favourite bible verse is Psalm 23, because it reminds us that God is in control, "the lord is my shepherd." 

I encourage all of you today: don't hold back from God. He loves us. Don't close yourself off to the world. Let others pray for you, let others in. It will change your whole life.  He DIED for our sins so that we could live forever. He was nailed to that cross with every little sin we have ever done and then… what’s more… he rose again!

Jesus exists and I want to spend the rest of my life following him.. If you want to share your testimony, feel free to email it to us and I will happily put it on this blog!!!

Have a good day! Also I want to remind yall if you are struggling... reach out for help. Don't hold back from people who love you.