It's a question we're rarely asked outright, but it's a question we should know the answer to. 

The third through sixth grade is in the middle of a study on what it means to be a Christian. I'm teaching tomorrow on "Sharing your testimony". I've taught this exact study before and am a little dumbfounded this morning. As I jot down my testimony to share in the morning, I'm noticing that it's a little different than it was when I shared it three years ago. 

I'm a little groggy from cold medicine as I type, but I can't help thinking this morning that our testimony is like a diamond.

 It's of great value. Our testimony is how we were pointed to God and how we've received eternity by trusting in him. A gift like eternity is worth sharing  1.because telling others is one way to show gratitude for what God is doing in our life 2. Because our story may point another to Him

Each testimony has brilliant quality, capable of shining in the right light. Your testimony can never be too boring to share nor is it so dark that it can't shed light. 

In Him was life, and that life was the light of all men. 

John 1:4

Shine it. 

 Our testimony has many facets. My testimony is forty plus years long. God started my story when I was "woven together" before birth. My testimony includes my struggles and what God teaches me through them. It's how he saved me and is saving me. It's a book with many chapters and important pages. Though He's constant, my relationship with him is dynamic. 

You've a magnificent story that God is writing in your life. Stories are meant to be told. 

Here's my testimony on fear. 

I probably wanted to crawl back in the womb the moment I was born. I don't remember ever being fearless. My mom tells stories of how I was terrified of men with facial hair, before I should have been old enough to distinguish such features. I was scared of going to the doctor and made life for my mom quite difficult anytime she had to take me. I can still hear the crinkling of the paper you sat on while the doctor would come at you with the wooden tongue depressor. I remember the smell of the room and an awful painted picture of a clown that hung on the wall (A clown in a doctor's office? He should have known better.)

I accepted Christ as my savior at an early age. My family was at a revival at our church that we attended regularly. I don't remember ever NOT going to church. I don't remember what the pastor said the night I was saved. I only remember the feeling I had when the invitation came. The Holy Spirit was nudging me to walk the aisle. For the first verse or two of the invitation the hammering of my heart was louder than that nudge. Strangely though, by the third, God's assurance that He was with me was enough for me to inch sideways to the edge of our pew. I don't remember telling my parents, or asking them. I just walked. 

The pastor explained the invitation I had from God by placing a dime in the palm of his hand and extending it toward me. He said something like this, "This dime is a gift I want you to have, but I would never make you take it. The choice is yours.". 

I accepted the gift that night and then started to worry about baptism. I was afraid of the water and didn't like to be in front of people. I would be obedient I thought. But I wouldn't like it. Despite my fear, my experience in being put under the waters was something exhilarating, something new. I was learning of God's peace and His presence in the midst of fear. His assurance that He would be with me in scary times. 

I wouldn't be rid of my struggle with fear and worry. After I became a Christian I was scared of coyotes jumping through my window. 

Of "robbers"

When Adam Walsh went missing I was deathly afraid I'd be abducted. 

Fear is something I continue to struggle with. I have an unhealthy fear of more things than I'd like to share. I'd rather lose my pinky toe than drive in a big city like Houston. I fear losing my loved ones. I'm constantly afraid I've said the wrong thing (even though I rarely stop talking or typing). I worry about people not liking me; doing things wrong and being a disappointment. 

Fear is a stronghold.

 It takes someone stronger than my fears to get me through. I need a constant friend; one who doesn't tire from hearing my unreasonable worries. I need One who reminds me that the giant obstacles I face are a blip in the face of eternity. 

In Christ, I am reminded that death and defeat have been overcome. One day all fear will be vanquished, until then He offers peace. Endure the terrifying and experience peace in the midst of it and then you understand "peace that passes understanding". 

Yes. I still tremble with fear; of things imagined and with realities I face. 

But then there's this. 

...I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8:38-39

Love conquers fear. 

It's a long battle. But love is on my side.