I have a confession to make. Several actually. I got to about Day 10 of this 31 Day Challenge  and started worrying. My life sounded so idyllic. Was I talking too much about the good parts in my story? Should I conjure up all the negative things I can remember about growing up and start writing about them? How on earth will people be able to relate to my story if theirs doesn’t look the same?

I call it a grown up version of the “Christian Kid Syndrome.” If you’ve ever been to Christian summer camp you know what I mean. Kids get scared to share their story of how Christ saved them because they don’t have anything “interesting” to tell. They weren’t dealing drugs or something before they started following Jesus so their story feels insignificant.

Once at the campfire story sharing time (confession #2), I included my dad’s disability in my story just to be more relatable. Dad has a rare arthritis called Ankylosing Spondilitis and suffers chronic pain. I greatly admire his endurance in the spite of suffering, but I know I wanted to connect and told his story to do that. (Sorry, Dad. I was only 12 so I hope you’ll pardon me.) I know that’s a fairly innocent offense, but that shows the unrest going on in my heart.

Now as an adult, I get that my personal story means something between me and God, but I’m such a people-pleaser that I worry about what others will think when they hear it.

I worry you might be thinking…

“I’ve experienced more pain in the past year than she has in her whole life. Who does she think she is, telling me God is good in hard times?”

Or, “Her life looks perfect. Guess she can’t relate to me.”

Et cetera.

Guess what? (Confession #3) I’m over that. My life isn’t perfect. But it’s a story of God’s faithfulness regardless. God has worked in real, amazing ways in my life because he’s an awesome God – not because I’m a wonderful person.

My story is really God’s story. Just like yours. What we’ve been through (or haven’t) is not the focus.

God’s truth applies to us regardless of our individual walks of life. God can put words in my mouth to use in your life, and God can use you to speak into my life.

So embrace your story. Forgive yourself for the mistakes and sins of the past. Praise God for his work in your heart. Live this moment to glorify him. It’s his story, after all.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 NLT