Storytelling is one of the most primal, raw and powerful tools for shaping our world and connecting with others. It’s a way of sharing wisdom, strength and experience. It’s a way of influencing emotions and inspiring action and even bridging cultural and generational gaps
Stories have the power to captivate, inspire and spark empathy and community within their words. They allow us to invite others into our world, fostering deeper relationships. Stories help us make sense of our experiences and add meaning to our lives. They can encourage new ways of thought and lead to groundbreaking solutions.
Who is the author of all of our stories? God is. God moves throughout our stories, weaving through the details, working behind the scenes, and transforming our lives whether we see it in the moment or not.
In modern culture the world can feel loud, stressful and uninspiring. Behind the scenes we’re all going through things and having experiences that, if told in story form, could absolutely help or inspire others. But instead these stories are getting buried underneath click-bait ads, chat gpt scripts and rage bait videos for likes and views.
As women of faith, we all have stories (big and small) that display the power and grace of God and show how the Holy Spirit is influencing us and how our relationship with Christ is not just affecting our lives, but the lives of those around us.
Maybe these stories are told in private rooms to friends or therapists but never reach others because of the fear of vulnerability or the lack of patience in our quick-fix culture to listen to the raw, longer versions of these experiences. Or maybe you think your story isn’t powerful enough to be told far and wide. Maybe you’re embarrassed by certain details of your story or what people might think of you. You don’t need to know how God will use your story you just need to tell it.
While social media is turning into one giant advertisement and AI is taking over many different facets of life, nothing can ever replace or wipe away the power of real human stories and how God is moving through them.
Storytelling, Biblically
Many lessons and profound moments in the bible are told through stories! God is on the move always working through the lives of everyone and for the ultimate good of everyone. Stories are still happening every day that show this. Sometimes we write about them, sometimes we simply tell them to a friend and sometimes they aren’t told at all.
Your life and your story is a public reflection of Christ’s work in you (2 Corinthians 3: 2-3) and therefore needs to be put into the light for others to see.
What does the bible say about sharing your story?
- Be ready – always be prepared to share your story or testimony. ( 1 peter 3:15)
- Speak out – in Mark 5:19 Jesus tells the man who was healed to go tell his family and friends everything the lord had done for him. And in Luke 8:39 Jesus tells a man to return home and speak of how he was liberated from demons. Also Acts 4:20 exemplifies speaking out, even when it’s hard.
- Be a witness (Acts 1:8)
- Publish his deeds (Psalm 96:3)
- Praise all that he has done (Psalm 9:1)
- Testify to his goodness (Psalm 107:2)
- Joyful proclamation (Psalm 40:910)
- A call to worship (1 Chronicles 16:8)
How to Share your Story
Maybe you don’t consider yourself a public speaker or a writer or just never felt like it was the right time or place to tell your stories.
The goal of the Violet and Valor ministry is to share the testimonies and stories of women everywhere and there are several ways we do this……
- Submit your story in written form
If you love to write and want to write out your story and send it in we will edit and share it.
2. Speak your story out loud
If you prefer to talk through your story, tell it via video or voice note just like you would tell it talking to a friend. Violet and Valor will transcribe, edit and post it.
3. Guidance on how to tell your story
If you have stories to tell but aren’t sure where to start or how to tell it you can schedule a meeting to talk through it and help form it piece by piece, still using your own words just with some organizational guidance.
If you’ve been through a battle it may be hard to talk about, especially if it involves pain and suffering.. For some people it may come easy but for others it may not.
Thats why I want to help everyone get their story out. Reach out to morgan@violetandvalor.com if you need guidance or support in telling your story and if your story is already written or you want to write it out yourself email your story to story@violetandvalor.com to be featured. We will edit it and then e-mail if back to you in finished form for your approval before posting. We typically only use first names and can use a different first name if you wish to remain anonymous. The purpose of telling these stories is to glorify God and inspire others so it’s not necessary to have the exact names and locations if you want those left out.
All Stories, Big and Small
There are so many powerful stories and testimonies out there that haven’t seen the light of day. We all have multiple stories from our lives. There are big ones but also small ones that can be happening each day or week even! Don’t discount the power of smaller stories too! All stories big and small are welcomed and honored and have the power to glorify God and impact the lives of others and their relationship with Christ.