So I’ve shared my story as to how I became a Christian and how God intervened in my life at my lowest point. It’s been going on 8 years now and over the years have had a couple pastors want me share my story on video. I’ve always hesitated because I came to Christ in the psych ward and would have to share my illness alongside my faith. Well times gone by and it’s hard to contain the hope and blessings God has given me over the years. So here’s my question,. I’m not a good speaker don’t like being the center of attention. But I think it’s inevitable that I will share my story because I feel obligated and convicted to. So if I go to the church to help me it will be edited by them and look professional I would hope. I’m really begining to think I don’t want the church shaping and molding my words and polishing me up to be all proper . I’m not sure my testimony should be cut although I realize it needs to be pretty short they said 5 to 7 minutes. So I had an idea to get someone that doesn’t know me to record me and instead of editing out the slow parts. For the most part just leave it open for questions at any time from the person recording. There going to have the average questions and I was leaning towards a non religious person. I would probably end up editing just to keep the time down. I’m a little nervous about sharing with everyone, but feel like I should. Any advice?
I don’t know who should record the video, but you should instinctive know the best choice.
Your testimony is your testimony so I can’t really say anything about that or doing it. More power to ya, having this illness is very hard to deal with/ connect with things and speak about, i’m nervous when it comes to social situations as well, I’m not religious but I would guess a testimony is about your path and relation, the good that god is. so hopefully it comes natural in the joy that is.
Cool that your sharing your story.
I think my biggest worry is I would loose my job and my wife and family would have to do with less for awhile. I do apartment maintenance and don’t know how the residents would react to me being sz. I’ve been with the company for 20 years so I think they would hold on to me as long as I could. Also changing jobs would be a large pay cut.
Oh who is the video being shown too? Your wife doesn’t know your ill? No need to answer.
yeah I don’t know that where would this video be shown?
Church and ultimately on the web.
I think my biggest worry is I would loose my job
Tell this to the pastor and see if he still wants you to do it. If he does, then maybe he’s not that nice in my opinion.
We’ve talked about not being offensive to my family as that was my first concern. He was very respectful of that, but lately I’ve kinda came around and came to him about it. He’s a great guy and friend but wonder if he’s nieve about how some people might react to it.
but wonder if he’s nieve about how some people might react to it
That could be the case. Maybe explain the fact that you’re afraid you might lose your job. Once the video is out there, it’s out there. Anyway, best of luck in whatever decision you make.
So I emailed him , said he understands and thinks we should put it off until a better time. Stigma sucks,. But there are some a holes that you run into on occasion at the apartments that really could make life difficult. Ironically some claim to be Christians, but I know better. Some day , I just worry about what my family could go through. If I was single it would be a little easier.
Dont do it. Testimonials are great but life goes on even without you doing a testimonial video. What do you want to get out of it? Convert people you can do that by other ways…without going public about your illness like that…its too risky and you are responsible for your family as you know well yourself…i could give great testimonial myself but i hold this back for similar reason…and its something very private to me…
To me it’s kind of a double-edged conviction on one hand I’ve recovered to live a normal life now I can’t do it without the meds and feel I need to fight the stigma. On the other hand God revealed him self to me in a very real way. "To whom much is given much is expected. " Besides the fact that peoples eternity is at stake. Just seems like if I did this I would surely positively effect someones life. I don’t want to be selfish by not doing it, and I don’t want to be selfish by hurting my family for the wrong reason or any reason as far as that goes.
I didn’t read the whole thread before I wrote this so some of it might not be great help.
I think you ought to pray about it a lot. Whatever is meant to be revealed about your testimony through this process is bound to be revealed if you are earnestly in communication with God. How that has to happen is anybody’s guess but will probably be revealed before the time comes.
I definitely think you ought to share your testimony. For some, Christ would be more real if he lived in psych wards, but mostly we are told that he lives in middle class white families living in two-story houses on cul-de-sacs who struggle with balancing career and family time. And stories of alcoholic redemption don’t catch the attention like they used to. Your story is fresh and interesting and that matters because it ought to hold a human being’s attention for more than 15 seconds. I think if you don’t do it, you will always wish you had. I also think you have a real chance here to work on the stigma the Church holds against the mentally ill. When they don’t see us, we stay hidden in the shadows and therefore scary. I’m excited for you. I will keep you in prayer.
Best wishes for your journey.
I didn’t see this before I posted below… This is a rough spot to be in. Prayer, of course, is always the best answer. You never know what might be revealed or how opportunities can be changed to better suit our situations. Perhaps an anonymous text version of your testimony could be just as effective.
Take care.
I have a written version it’s pretty long and I’d be willing to share it with anyone interested via email or PM. Being enonomous to me is really no testimony at all. To share a message knowing you have something to loose, now that’s a testimony. I’ve been pondering it this morning and had a thought that I could make the video, maybe with the guy that lead me to seek God. Show it to my boss and I’m sure he would share it when it’s the owner. Atleast I think they would incourage me to not show it or seek another job if I do show it. I get paid very well and it would be difficult for me to come near to the job I have now. But even more important is how it could effect my family. But for now I think I might make the video just to see how powerful it is. If nothing else it could be played at my funeral. But that would kinda be giving up.
What, you want to be famous or something? I suggest there is other ways to serve God and do good than a ■■■■■■■ video testimonial…pray for some way to serve God that doesnt jeoperdize your job and well being of your family…you can tell your testimonial to selected individuals and small groups of peers where you do not expect to go public about your diagnosis. And there is other ways to give back for Gods blessing to you. You can volunteer spare time or give to needy people some that cannot pay you back.
That sounds so much better ,I don’t even like to talk in a small group. This isn’t something I really want to do but feel obligated more. I have a very unique conversion and witnessed God s love and healing power firsthand. What makes me feel obligated is that after I gave my life to Christ. I felt very realistic that God was telling me to “go tell the world”. So much so that I was compelled to share with the first evalable people… After I did it seemed I was just pulled to my knees by the overwhelming presents of God. I was praying and God gave me the name and illness of someone I didn’t know. I asked if they were in the room and sure enough they were. I prayed for healing for them, while laying on of the hands. The story is long and goes on, but that’s why I feel obligated.
Yes this is the exact response I get from people, silence, I think it’s just to unbelievable and I should probably listen to, @Normalone
You know miracles do happen, i believe in that. You may have experienced it, some unexplainable unexpected good events that have happened in your life. It still doesnt mean you have to go out and tell everyone about your illness because its going to probably lead to problems down the road for you and your family. I mentioned i feel some good events in my life i subcribe to God intervening in my life. I can give testimony that when I found Jesus, some wonderful things happened to me. But i have so far not told a lot of people. Most people are incredulous and argue with me that the cause can be explained without attributing it to Gods action in my life. But this is not the reason I get discouraged to tell my story to people. The main reason I dont tell people i have sz is the real stigma against people with sz and i have seen it before that it only causes problems for me if i tell people. the solution for me I have told my story in vague terms avoiding any mention of sz to a few persons. Its kind of strange to beat around the bush at these occasions, i dont like the feeling so i find it better if i keep the whole affair to myself. Maybe i am going to write my life down some day for my son where i will tell the whole truth. I am very thankful for the healing i experienced but i dont feel obliged to pay back for it like i have to earn it by giving testimony of it. I dont see the connection. I feel obliged as a follower of christ to lead a life that pleases God but i dont think it means i am required to tell people about my illness.
I really do believe it was a miracle, but the bigger miracle ls that our God is so loving to make a way for our forgiveness and acceptance. I think if God wants to use me in that way that I probably shouldn’t dwell on the past ,and look to what he may do in the future. It’s hard not to share because I do dwell on it, and have thought about it everyday for the last 8 years. I doubt highly as I will ever be in the position that I am so humbled by my sin and in need of God to the extreme, that I could ever call out for him in such a broken way that he would respond to me. So I’m sure I will continue to share with some. I really appreciate your response as most people avoid me after I share with them and I get little feedback and mixed incouragment to go on sharing. But mostly no response. However some are very incouraged and maybe I should focus more on sharing with the believer to incourage them, and break down stigma with them on a more personal basis. What’s your thoughts on that? But yes I do have a family to care for.