#Testimony and faith

[trberman]

Standing Firm in Faith: A Latter-day Saint Perspective on Pride Month, Spiritual Rebellion, and the Call to Humility and Repentance

Disclaimer: The thoughts, ideas, and teachings are of the contributing writer’s own perspective and does not constitute any official doctrinal position or teaching that is representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. however, these ideas and teachings are based on official sources and scriptural authority. OverviewIntroduction: Pride Month Through a Scriptural LenseSection…

[theinwardlight]

We are not called to save the world. That’s a burden too heavy for us to bear. We are instead called to follow the Spirit of Christ speaking within us, the Spirit of the one who carries the sin of the world, the one who can lead us out. Part of the work of Jesus is to break us out of the closed circle of self-justification. As long as we struggle to be good we will never be able to bear the weight of our guilt. [...] If instead we rely on the goodness of God, the goodness we partake in as God’s beloved creatures, then our guilt can be faced. Then we can do our small part to untie the sticky knots of sin that riddle our lives. We are loved and we are responsible. We are sinners and we are saints. We are warped by sin and we are precious children of God.

Mark Russ, "The Good News of Sin"

[rookisaknight]

Lrb relevant something about the way each brother is constantly reiterating their trauma in an attempt to subdue it.

Jacob, most direct and long-term recipient of their father's abuse, surrounds himself with people he's conditioned to become violent at the drop of a hat.

But its ok, because he controls the trigger this time.

Joseph, left abandoned by the splitting of their family, creates conditions for his new Family that are so untenable it's only a matter of time before any given member tries to leave him.

But it's ok, because being forced to constantly negotiate, gaslight, and threaten people into sticking with him makes him feel like he has power over his isolation this time.

John reliving his childhood torture every goddamn day, carving himself up when he can't carve up others and having his fear of damnation dangled over his head by his brother god. Constantly repenting, constantly atoning, never forgiven.

But it's ok, because he holds the knife this time. When you hold the knife, you get to say when it stops, and you get to extract sin from others rather than have it extracted from you.

[pinestripe37]

I'm not brave, I'm just always safe thanks to the Lover of my soul who was the Bravest Ever when He went up to that cross and bore my pain.

It's not that I'm strong, rather I'm held in Strong Arms through my weakness; what have I to fear when safe at Home in God's Embrace?

The very reason I'm not filled with fear is that God's Perfect Love poured abundantly in my heart leaves no room for fear, and when my courage starts to waver I can call out to Him who draws me near in the faith that comes through unfading Grace.

It's not that I'm deserving but rather cared for, not innocent but rather forgiven, the only virtue preserving mine is that by God's Heart I'm so so infinitely loved.. and such a beautiful realization it is, to know the Love of Jesus my Salvation rests on.

I'm filled not of myself but by God with His Spirit of Love, of Power, and of a sound mind: through every storm with the peace of the Holy Spirit who calms my pounding heart.

I've survived because of His Mercy, and it's easy because He carried me..

It's not that I'm brave, it's that upheld by God's Promise in Christ I'm blessed to know I'm forever Saved.

[walkswithmyfather]

Psalm 126:1-3 (NLT). [1] “When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! [2] We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” [3] Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”

Isaiah 55:11 (NLT). [11] “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

“Telling It Like It Is” by In Touch Ministries:

“No matter what your story with God is, He can use your testimony to impact others.”

“People love inspiring stories. Biographies of the down-and-out who make great use of a second chance tend to top bestseller lists. But few people experience something so dramatic in their life—most of us are wonderfully ordinary. Sadly, some believers think that being a “regular Joe” makes their testimony unexciting and therefore less valuable. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A personal testimony is a way of expressing what God has done and is doing in our life. No matter how commonplace our words may sound compared to someone else’s, the Lord will see to it that they impact the hearers who need them.

For example, imagine this: A 6-year-old girl accepts Christ. When she is 18, she will be able to tell her friends of God’s greatness. She can explain that He made the gospel clear to a child and yet reveals something new to her every day. When she is 80, she’ll be able to share about a lifetime of walking with Jesus. Her testimony may not be “exciting,” but it doesn’t need to be. It will be spiritual gold.

No matter what your story is, God can and will use it. You have no idea how far-reaching your testimony can be. God says that His words will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). And the story of Jesus’ saving grace is always inspiring.”

[Photo thanks to Hannah Busing at Unsplash]

[grace-of-spades1]

my testimony

for eighteen years,I lived a life of fear and dread. My parents were toxic and abusive and the best way to avoid that was through just taking the blows. I was born and diagnosed with autism. Since I was the one kid that couldn't do anything the way they wanted or in their words, 'the right way' i became the family scapegoat. It was my fault if something went wrong always. I was never like my siblings or into the same things as them. My parents praised my siblings because they were athletic and smart and followed along with the mind games they would play. I was quieter and more into the arts. My gifts and talents were seen as useless and stupid. I began to believe it and fell into a massive hole of depression, anxiety, self loathing, and suicidal thoughts and actions. those who figured out what was happening at home were pushed away and were seen as bad people. I never felt more alone in my life. Eventually, I moved to a private Christian school. I was miserable. I was disgusted by the thought of Jesus Christ and how He allowed all this suffering in my life. But I remember one day in class, one of my teachers pulled me aside and told me that Jesus saw me and He never left me alone. He was watching over me and had big plans for my life. After hearing that, I could feel the Holy Spirit moving in the room. I burst into tears and allowed Jesus into my life.

After I graduated, i moved out. I have tried to restore a relationship with my family but no onehas bothered to return texts or calls. It has been a few months and I heard I had a new baby brother. The family made it clear I was not invited to see him. Please pray for them.

One verse in psalm 27 was 'when mother and father forsake me, the Lord will take care of me.'

Since I came to Christ, He has done so much in my life. I now have a job, a relationship with the distant family I missed out on growing up(so many cousins!), amazing group of friends, and a wonderful boyfriend.

So yes, my physical family may forsake me, but my Father in Heaven never will. Praise the Lord

He will turn your life around, He is knocking, let Him in

[10yrsyart]

i was wondering what ur feelings on trans/nonbinary ppl are? (i’m not trying to start an argument or anything i just know there are a lot of religious transphobes so i wanted to make sure)

hey there! ^-^ i actually identified as an NB Agender person for almost 10 years, so the struggle with identity and gender dysphoria is a personal one to me. while i’ve come to believe that the feelings of misalignment are the real issue and not the “wrong body” itself, a struggle is a struggle. trans and NB folks are just as valued and loved by the Lord as every other person (with their own struggles) He’s made. He loves each one and died for each one, and wants to bring healing and security to all. 

it reminds me of Matthew chpt 9, when the religious people of Jesus’s day were complaining that He hung out with the social rejects of their society. He told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor- sick people do. (…) For I have come to call not those that think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (v. 12-13) Jesus has a special place in His heart for those who are struggling and reach out to Him. 

here’s a lil 6 min testimony about my experience :)

[feastingonchrist]

you guys it was maybe a month ago i was SOBBING to God, not once but twice that week because i was struggling terribly with my social skills and feeling so insecure and embarrassed. I felt like i lost all my progress i had made over the past few years. to now in the past weeks i have felt so much more confident while talking to people, even people at work i barely even know and multiple people have told me they can see my personality coming through/i'm like a new person. that has blown me away!!! He is literally bringing me to life. ALL I DID WAS BEGIN GOING TO CHURCH AND ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN POURED OUT UPON ME! i decided to try and not overthink how i'm coming across and what i'm going to say and it's released the pressure off of me. i've surrendered that to God to handle because i didn't want to deal with it anymore and He has been taking care of it so fast. my confidence has grown so much in the shortest amount of time ever in my life. like He really meets me in the darkest places and soon after begins to move and renews my mind and Spirit and attitude and perspective on things. He has been in the process of helping me move through fear as i walk into it but continues to deliver me out of it into a better place. He is helping me with my endurance and it's made me to trust in Him in deeper ways. i've begun delighting in Him with tenderness and am soaking in His peace and it's been grounding. like i've entered a new layer of peace with Him and my gosh it's so gentle and tangible and i just want to stay there forever in that Presence sometimes. my spiritual discipline isn't the greatest at times and He's getting me there (Psalm 23:1-2 moment.) But my goodness it's wild to have gone from believing in Christ but not putting my faith to action to now doing exactly that and i have just been receiving blessing after blessing - whether it's spiritual (seeing grace everywhere) or relational (just people loving me like Jesus or enjoying my job and adoring going to church and talking to people every week as i practice my social skills.) I say this all the time "idk why all of a sudden He's decided to start blessing me in these ways and what did i do to deserve it?" i know i did nothing and that He has always loved me right where i'm at but it's interesting as i follow the patterns of these past few months and i can't help but wonder if it's all because i have been taking steps of faith into the unknown and it's tested my trust in Him and endurance in those "dim mirrors" as Paul would say which has brought me into closer communion with Christ and i've been able to "see more clearly" and understand things on a deeper spiritual level. idk but ugh HE IS SO GOOD I AM CONSTANTLY TOUCHED AND HE IS JUST DOING GREAT THINGS WITHIN ME AND THE OTHERS AROUND ME. I wish i could talk ab these things without sounding repetitive but i swear He is doing these things and having me learn them/lessons over and over again to show me that i can trust Him and work things out of me to bring the new in. i really do love Him so much my gosh i really do. This is the best season of my entire walk with Him since i got saved in 2021 nearly 4 whole yrs ago and i am trying to soak it all in and even process it!!!! so i share all of this on here bc it's a lil diary for me, i love to share what He's doing for me to show others He can do it for anyone and i want to give hope to others with my testimonies. i have had so many of these recently and it's made me so joyful 🥹

[thediarylife]

— I just want to say, Thank you Lord for the little plot twist before this year ends. It hasn't sinked in yet because I've been praying for this for so long and it is actually happening. You put things in the right place and at the right time.

Thank you for your courage and help.

"It is I, Take courage! Don't be afraid!" 🤍🙏🏼

[dress-this-way]

~ What God Can Do ~

[httpsoftbunni]

Uhm..Testimony? Answered Prayers?

unsure of what to call this

Today at work, something truly profound happened. I work at Subway, and there’s a man I’ve waited on several times before. He’s always been polite, but until today, we’d never had a real conversation. This time, we got to chatting, and before I knew it, the conversation turned incredibly deep—so deep that I found myself crying as I barely began placing the meat on his sandwiches.

I won’t go into the specifics of what we talked about, but this man stood at the counter with me for nearly 20 minutes, opening up about some of the most personal, intimate moments of his life. He shared stories that stretched from his childhood to his present, now at 53 years old. What struck me the most wasn’t just the weight of his experiences—it was how well he carried himself despite everything he’d been through. He seemed so composed, so strong, and yet his story was one of unimaginable pain and resilience.

What truly shook me, though, was how deeply his words resonated with me. Just last night, I’d stayed awake until 3 a.m., pouring my heart out in prayer. I’d been wrestling with forgiveness—learning to forgive myself, others, and healing from wounds I hadn’t even realized were still so raw. And somehow, this stranger, without knowing anything about me or my struggles, touched on almost everything I had prayed about. It felt as if his words were meant just for me, as though God had sent him to deliver the answers I was searching for.

Tears streamed down my face the entire time I made his sandwiches. It was overwhelming, but in the best way. He was such a kind and compassionate soul, and I hope he continues to take care of himself. Meeting him reminded me that we’re all carrying unseen burdens, and sometimes, the right words from a stranger can feel like grace in its purest form.

[blissfulcabin7]

When I had been in the hospital for 16 days and I missed my preboards, and I sat on the sofa, sorrowing and worried over the final year of my school which was said to have a huge impact on shaping the student's future, there was something Jesus said that I remembered that made me pick up my Physics textbook that day while still recovering from the trauma of surgery and I started reading. This is what I remembered-

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” [Mark 10:27]

I went on to score 99/100 in Biology, 97/100 in Chemistry and 95/100 in Physics that year and got admission into a medical college despite having less than a month exposure to a coaching institute and having been told it was 'impossible' to get into a medical college without coaching. I am now a doctor. All thanks to the Lord God through Jesus Christ His Son. Praise the Lord. Therefore, don't worry, no matter what the facts are speaking to you. Nothing is impossible with God.

[hg-loves]

I love Jesus, it’s been almost 4 years with him now

I don’t know if I would still be here if I didn’t find him, I’m very thankful he met me where I was

[gabebrodudeman]

Jesus isn't interested in performing one grand miracle that forces everyone to accept the reality of his power and existence. That's not his goal. That's too impersonal and doesn't fulfill his intended will.

What he will do is reveal himself to the individual who needs him and in a way that can impact their lives for the better. Something that gives them comfort in a way only he could because the point is to make it personal so that together we can navigate the next step.

All he wants is a relationship. Just talk to him. He already knows your thoughts and your feelings. If you're angry. Tell him. If you're hurting. Tell him. Whatever it is, just tell him. He's waiting.

God bless 🤍

[redeemedmillennial]

My Bibles, Hymns, Pocket Psalms, and Pocket New Testament books are always gettin’ coffee stained, cigarette burns, and pages torn out for safe keeping.

Because I don’t keep the Word pristine.

I keep it close.

In the trench coat pocket.

In the back seat.

In the glove box.

Folded between a receipt and a bandage.

These books weren’t meant for glass cases.

They were made to bleed ink into your fingers,

to survive heartbreak in the breakroom,

and to smell like firewood and menthol.

Let the world call it damage.

I call it devotion.