Written by Karen Robin Paul

I’ll never forget the first time I was asked to share my testimony; I was so nervous, my palms got all sweaty, my throat dried up, and I thought the ground would split up and swallow me whole. Subconsciously, I thought ‘what if my story is not good enough’, and maybe you’ve felt the same way.

An article by Shelby Abbott says that “Personal testimonies are one of the most influential tools the Holy Spirit uses to stir spiritual interest and point people toward Christ” and “Your story is authentically and uniquely you. It’s versatile and can be used in a variety of situations—from sharing with an individual to addressing a group. It’s not a debate, it’s not pushy, it’s not fake, and it doesn’t feel like religious propaganda, since it’s coming from your heart. Very rarely will people argue with you about your story. In fact, they’re more likely to engage and ask clarifying questions, which in turn pushes the dialogue about Jesus to a more personal level.”

Over time, when we share our spiritual journeys with others, it helps build our confidence and eventually the fear and intimidation behind sharing what Christ has done for you eventually disappears.

 

Here are a few tips to help you take those first steps outside your comfort zone:

1. Less is more

In a world of quick attention spans, concise testimonies leave the strongest impact, this way it captures interest without overwhelming the listener. When sharing your story, remember, it’s not about you, but what God has done for you. Ideally, try setting a target of 2-3 mins. By keeping your story short, it allows Christ to work through others either by creating room for curiosity, or enabling the listener to ask questions leading to onto deeper conversations.

2. Try starting with a hook

When you’re trying to share your story, but you’re not sure how to begin or you’re nervous about how to set the tone for your testimony, try opening with a quote or a question, or even painting a picture in people’s minds- something that will draw the attention of the crowd, and bring the focus to your main message. People love listening to stories, but the real key is to hold an audience, is to be relatable, vulnerable, and just be your true self! God created you, and made you so wonderfully, you don’t have to be different to share his work in your life, just be you.

3. The before, how, and after

When you’re sharing your story, its helpful to have a clear flow that follows your story. Start by describing what your life was like before you knew Christ, then explain how you came to encounter Him, and finally share how your life has changed since.

If you’ve been a Christian since childhood, don’t feel shy or nervous but be open to sharing about the challenges you’ve faced while growing in your faith. The “how” could be a moment when Christ met when you weren’t looking for him, or when the message of Salvation truly came alive to you, and you grasped it more deeply. Each person has their own story, and there’s freedom in how you tell it—but viewing your testimony in terms of a progression, can be a helpful in bringing clarity and making it easier for others to follow along.

4. Pray without ceasing

Something I’ve discovered when sharing my spiritual journey is that often moments appear when I least expect them. I can’t speak for others, but to be honest, those chances rattle me a little. It’s in these moments that saying a quick prayer to the Lord, for wisdom and guidance, helps me gather my thoughts before applying Point 3. It’s a way of asking the Lord to take over, or give me the right words to say when I’m caught off guard.

Maybe you’ve become a Christian recently, and would love to share your story with others, but you’re struggling to find opportunities to share- pray, seek, and ask the Lord to provide you with chances to share his wonderful work in you. An article by Sarah Geringer says “Ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you when you are near someone who needs to be encouraged. It will be easier to recognise these God-given opportunities if you have first covered them in prayer”.

5. Practice breeds Confidence

Have you ever heard the quote by Anton Chekhov ‘Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.’ I remember when I was younger, my mother would time and time again tell me to practice the piano, and I would try my best to avoid it. I thought to myself, I know how to play it, why do I need to practice? I look back now, and I realise, if you want to grow in confidence, and build your skills, you need to practice. The same is with sharing your testimony, if you want to step out of your comfort zone, be confident, and rid yourself of any fear or intimidation, you need to practice.

Start small, and by writing down your story, what is your ‘before, how, and after’, this helps you with fixing the details in your mind. Practice out loud or share your story with people you feel comfortable with, learn ways to improve, and eventually, you will know your testimony by heart.

 

Your story is important as others see Gods transformative work in your life. He has taken you out of darkness and brought you into the light. He has redeemed you, and is still working in you right now!

A quote from one of the authors of the Gospel Coalition says this “Remember it’s not just about how God and the Gospel fit into your story, but also about how your story fits into the greater story of the Gospel.”