Dr. Floyd Godfrey

Every Christian has a story to tell—a journey filled with moments of joy, struggle, redemption, and growth. Sharing that story is not just a suggestion but a calling from God. Recently, I had the privilege of hearing Curt Thompson teach on this very topic at the 2024 Stand Strong Conference in Dallas. His insights opened my eyes to the profound importance of telling our stories, both for our own growth and for the encouragement of others. Thompson reminds us, "God wants us to be telling our story. We also need to learn from our story." This dual process of sharing and learning can transform our lives and draw us closer to the Creator.

Learning From Our Story

Our stories aren’t just recollections of past events; they are instruments for growth and reflection. Often, we look back at our lives with regret or guilt, but Thompson invites us to view them through a different lens. He says, "We become what we pay attention to. We must intentionally choose to get on track. Also, it helps to be on the same right track with others." Our stories reveal the paths we've taken and the lessons we've learned, and they help us recognize patterns that we can change with God’s help. When we tell our story, we should focus on how God has been present through it all, shaping us into who we are today.

We often ask ourselves, “How much time do you spend on the track you want to be on?” as Thompson wisely puts it. Reflecting on our story helps us evaluate where we’re spending our time and what we are focusing on. Are we walking the path that God has for us, or have we become distracted by the noise of the world? Our stories reveal those moments of misalignment, giving us the opportunity to realign our lives with God’s purpose.

Choosing What We Create

Thompson also touched on the importance of intentionality in our lives. “God was consciously aware of what he was creating. We need to be consciously aware of what we are choosing to create.” Just as God was deliberate in creating the world, we too must be intentional in creating the life we live. Our stories, then, become the product of our choices—both good and bad—and God invites us to be active participants in this creation. By telling our story, we become more aware of the choices we’ve made and the new opportunities God is placing before us.

This idea of conscious creation is critical in our Christian walk. When we reflect on our story, we can see where we’ve partnered with God’s vision for our lives and where we’ve drifted off course. God is always inviting us to create a life that reflects His love, grace, and mercy, and our stories help us stay grounded in that calling.

Trusting Jesus in Our Story

One of the most profound aspects of Thompson’s teaching was the reminder that Jesus is present in every part of our story, even in our moments of deepest shame. “Jesus is already walking on the waters of our shame and guilt, and invites us to come out of the boat, to trust him, and walk with him. He will not leave us EVER.” What a powerful image! Jesus doesn’t stand at the shore, waiting for us to clean ourselves up before we come to Him. He meets us in our mess, in our guilt, and in our shame, and He calls us to walk with Him, free from fear.

This assurance gives us the courage to tell our stories, even the parts that we’re not proud of. When we trust Jesus with our shame, we allow His grace to cover us, and that grace can be a beacon of hope for others who are struggling with similar burdens. Sharing our stories becomes an act of faith, a way of stepping out of the boat and into the grace and love that only Jesus can offer.

Becoming the Mouthpiece of Jesus

Finally, Thompson’s words resonated deeply with me when he said, “We get to be the mouthpiece of Jesus.” By telling our stories, we become vessels of His love, sharing His truth with the world. Our stories aren’t just about us; they’re about what Jesus has done in our lives and what He can do in the lives of others. When we speak, we speak on His behalf, and when we share, we share the Gospel in the most personal and transformative way.

Each of us has a story worth telling, a testimony of God’s faithfulness and redemption. Whether we’re speaking to a congregation, a small group, or one individual, we are given the opportunity to reflect Jesus to others. As we tell our stories, we help others see how Jesus is walking on the waters of their own guilt and shame, ready to take their hand and lead them into freedom.

In conclusion, telling your story is an essential part of the Christian journey. It allows you to reflect on the lessons God has taught you, share His grace with others, and continue walking the path He has set before you. As Curt Thompson so wisely pointed out, God is always present in our story, inviting us to trust Him more deeply and share the good news of His love with those around us.

Floyd Godfrey, PhD is a Board Certified Christian Counselor and has facilitated groups within different churches and denominations over the past 30 years. He worked as a licensed counselor for 23 years and provided supervision and training for other counselors as they worked toward independent licensure. You can read more about Floyd Godfrey, PhD at www.FloydGodfrey.com.

Reference

Thompson, C. (2024, October). Beginning at the Beginning: In What Story Do You Believe You Are Living? Stand Strong - Mega National Christian Counseling Conference 2024. Dallas; Texas.