As We Speak, We Are Freed!
The Arise Daughter team talked about giving our testimonies just the other day. We discussed: who had yet to share theirs outside of friends and family, why writing it down can be intimidating, who was nervous about saying it on camera or to a crowd etc. What we decided was that although sharing our testimonies is a powerful weapon in our spiritual arsenal (please read all of Revelation 12:11) it can also be an intimidating process even for sisters who've known each other for over a year now!
One of Pat Layton's (author of the abortion healing curriculum "Surrendering the Secret") caveats for sharing your testimony is: "Know your 'why.' Why is 'now' the time to do it? Who may be affected by it? What can God use your testimony for? Answering some of these questions, with the help of Holy Spirit, can help take the "me" out of the situation and return focus to giving God the glory, honor and praise for helping us defeat the enemy.
As someone who took the plunge to "tell all" in 2020, I saw sharing my testimony as a way to liberate others. Periodt. I can tell you that there is no personal glory to be gained by telling such intimate details of your life. Besides that, I probably have at least five different versions of my testimony and each one is extremely uncomfortable to share. But, knowing my 'why' going in helped me shake off the filthy ashes and put on the crown of splendor meant for me (Isaiah 62:3 NIV).
If you feel lead to share your testimony of your abortion and your healing, there are several different ways to go about it. But first, I would HIGHLY recommend reading the helpful guidelines on how to share and when to share at www.silentnomoreawareness.org . They have done the work of gathering personal stories of the ripple effects related to sharing. Their awesome detailed suggestions on sharing your testimony with family, friends and the public place a very human face on the power and presence of your story.
After reading the "why" and "how," you can share on several different confidential online sites such as AbortionChangesYou.com , silentnomoreawareness.org or in a closed group on Facebook like "I Regret My Abortion."
Please know that we at Arise Daughter are your support community as you walk through some of these gnarly questions we all continue to face. We have decided that we are going to set aside a "Refresh" session this summer and simply sit and listen to one another as we share the goodness of God and all the healing that He has already given us. Bearing witness to one another's stories is a gift not to be taken lightly; an unburdening that helps us heal and heal others. For truly, as we speak, we are freed!!
Much love, Sylvia
P.S., My testimony for LiveAction https://youtu.be/BzFeC82LPro
