Tell your story! Yes, you … tell your story! Why? Because it has the power to not only set you free but defeat your enemy. I know you’ve held it in because you are embarrassed but it’s time you got free ma’am/sir. You’ve kept it to yourself out of fear of what people will think but it’s time you set yourself free. Come out of that prison where you’ve sentenced yourself to life, in your mind. Come out of the dark place that you visit when the quietness feels like it’s closing in. Come out of that place of despair, you go in, when you look at the scars. Come out beloved, it’s time for you to be free. And you can only be free by telling your story. Please understand, you don’t have to shout it to the world but say it out loud so that you can hear yourself declaring freedom. And please, for the sake of your sanity, stop counting the number of years you stayed but count the number of days you’ve lived. Stop beating yourself up believing you allowed it to happen. Stop acting strong because that’s what you were raised to do when there are folks waiting to catch you. Let go of the façade, blow away the smokescreen, remove the makeup, uncover the scars, open your mouth and tell your story in your words.
In Revelation 12, John talks about a sign that appeared in heaven. A woman (Israel) who was pregnant and in pain as she prepared to deliver a male child (Jesus) was confronted by a dragon (satan) who set out to devour the son she was about to birth. The chapter continues telling how the dragon and its angels were defeated. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.” See, your testimony signifies you not dying. Your testimony is proof that you are no longer a victim. Your testimony is power to overcome whatever it is that is threatening to take you out. Your enemy can be defeated but you have to cry loud and spare not. It’s not about satisfying the nosiness/prying/questioning of folk but it is about acquitting you from the guilty verdict you’ve rendered on yourself. You can defeat the depression, the oppression, the guilt and the victim mentality that is playing with your mind with the blood of the lamb, your testimony and by not loving this earthly life. Don’t cling to what was but hold fast to what is. Take back your power because it’s your story to tell, in your time. Be free beloved. Be free!
Lakisha, the Author 