THE COURAGE TO SHARE YOUR STORY

Today's vulnerable episode tackles the gap between knowing God called you to help people and actually opening your mouth to share your story.

THE FEARS:

Desiree was afraid people would stop listening - that they'd dodge her like when she did network marketing for health supplements. Afraid she didn't know all the scripture in the Bible - what if someone challenged her on "how Christian" she was? At the time she wouldn't have thought of people bringing up her old ways to judge her, but recently she's seen others do exactly that.

For a long time she shared that "God transformed me" - but never fully shared her actual struggles. There are still parts she's leaving in the past that she hasn't shared yet. But being open about smoking weed throughout this series? That's new.

THE DECISION:

Just recently she decided to start talking about her journey with weed publicly. She knows others it could help. But she didn't want to talk about it before for professional reasons. Now that she's self-employed, she feels freedom to share more personal experiences.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED:

People might silently judge but not to her face - she prays for them. People who aren't on board kind of faded away. Nothing big or reactive happened. As she spoke more about her testimony, people of God got closer. Her women's group and even her grandma always knew about it anyway.

WHAT GAVE HER COURAGE:

The prompting from God. The undeniable transformations she witnessed - she was so amazed she had to share them. She's a person who loves to help people. Helping people learn about God more was a no-brainer.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• 2 Timothy 1:7 - "The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid"

• What she was afraid of vs. what actually happened

• Why people of God got closer while others faded away

• How being self-employed removed the professional barrier

• Why your testimony doesn't need defending - God's transformation speaks for itself

• The principle: Your fear of judgment is keeping someone in the chaos you just got out of

• Why the breakthrough is too good to keep quiet

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:2 Timothy 1:7 - "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

YOUR HOLY SHIFT ACTION:Ask God what part of your testimony you've been keeping quiet because of fear. Then ask who needs to hear it. Share it with one person today.

CONNECT:Instagram: @HolyShiftDevotionals | Facebook/Pinterest: @HolyShiftMedia | Website: holyshiftmedia.com

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