Surrendering Shame. The Power of Your Testimony.

"But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” — Revelation 12:11 (MSG)

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I never thought I’d say it out loud.

For years, I kept my story locked away like a shameful secret—too heavy to carry, yet too terrifying to release. In my early twenties, as a single mom, I made two decisions that haunted me for years. I chose to end two pregnancies. And from the moment those choices were made, I became a prisoner of guilt, shame, and regret.

I tried everything to forgive myself. Counseling, journaling, crying in the dark, and even the promise I made to God: “If You can forgive me for what I’ve done, I won’t ask for more children. Just please set me free.” But despite my begging, nothing seemed to erase the suffocating weight of shame I carried with me every day.

Then, one Sunday at church, something shifted.

As I sat there, weighed down by the same familiar heaviness, I heard a story that caught me off guard. It wasn’t just another message about grace—it was my story, spoken through someone else’s experience. Their words mirrored my own hidden pain, the choices I had made, the regret I had carried. But instead of shame, I heard freedom. Instead of secrecy, I saw courage.

That’s when I learned about Surrendering the Secret, a Bible study designed for women suffering in silence from the pain of abortion. A pastor’s wife, Lisa, was hosting it in her home. I signed up, ready for whatever healing God had for me.

What unfolded over the next six weeks was both excruciating and beautiful.

Each session stripped away the layers of guilt I had been hiding beneath for so long. I surrendered the secret, but I still wrestled with the shame.

When Forgiveness Doesn’t Feel Like Enough

For years after that class, I kept my head down, still believing that my past defined me.

I had accepted God’s forgiveness, but I hadn’t fully accepted His grace. The shame clung to me like a shadow I couldn’t outrun.

It wasn’t until about five years ago that I began sharing my story. The more I spoke, the more I realized I wasn’t met with judgment. People didn’t recoil. Instead, they leaned in. They connected. I saw tears in the eyes of those who knew exactly what I was talking about.

I realized I wasn’t alone.

As I continued sharing my testimony, the chains of shame began to break. Each time I spoke those words aloud, I felt lighter and freer.

God had given me two incredible gifts: Reese and Haley, my beautiful twin daughters. Not as punishment, but as undeniable proof that He is a God of redemption, not vengeance. They are tangible reminders of His love and forgiveness—living, breathing grace wrapped up in two sweet smiles.

The Power of Your Testimony

I know now that my story isn’t just mine to keep.

Shame thrives in silence, but testimonies shatter the darkness. The enemy wins when we stay quiet, but God’s power is released when we speak out. Every time we share what He’s done in our lives, we remind the enemy that he has no power here. We remind ourselves that we belong to a God who takes what’s broken and makes it beautiful.

Think of your testimony like a five-star review you can’t wait to share.

When you experience something life-changing—whether it’s an incredible meal, a product that exceeded expectations, or an unforgettable trip—you don’t keep it to yourself. You tell people. You post about it. You want others to experience the same joy.

That’s what your story is. A testimony of God’s goodness. A real-life example that redemption is possible. Just like the Bible is filled with flawed people who found grace, your story is part of His ongoing narrative.

God’s not afraid of your mess; He’s writing it into a masterpiece.

Don’t Let Shame Silence You

The enemy will try to convince you that your past disqualifies you from speaking about God’s goodness. He’ll whisper lies that say your story is too broken, too messy, too unworthy to be told.

But the truth is, your testimony could be the very thing that sets someone else free.

I carried my shame for years, convinced it was mine alone to bear. But when I finally spoke, when I surrendered the secret and let God use my story, I discovered the truth: freedom lives in the telling. Healing comes in the sharing. Your story matters—because it points to Him.

Don’t let shame hold you back any longer. Speak. Share. Let the world see what God has done. Because when you do, you don’t just find freedom for yourself—you help set others free too.

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My Prayer:

Jesus,

I come before You today with a heart laid bare. You see every wound, every regret, and every ounce of shame I’ve carried. For too long, I’ve believed that my story was too messy to tell, too broken to redeem. But today, I surrender it all to You.

Thank You for loving me when I couldn’t love myself. Thank You for turning my pain into purpose and for giving me a testimony worth sharing. Lord, give me the courage to speak up, to walk boldly in the freedom You’ve given me. Use my story to break chains, to offer hope, and to remind others that Your grace is enough.

I know You waste nothing. Let my testimony be a light that leads others back to You.

In Your powerful and redeeming name,

Amen.

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