Do you have a story to tell? I truly believe we all do. Our lives are sprinkled with pain, joy, failures, successes… These experiences are meant to be shared whether in the midst of them or relaying our stories after we’ve recovered.
Scrolling through Facebook, it would seem everyone is Pinterest perfect at all times. We see highlight reels of our friends’ lives. At times, this is a wonderful thing, seeing what everyone is up to and enjoying the peek into people’s worlds.
Other times, Facebook feeds and Pinterest images are immensely disheartening. We can so easily feel like we don’t measure up, as if we’re missing out. Putting our daily struggles and real-time lives up against other people’s best moments can only bring frustration.
Would you like to get real with people? Blogging is a fantastic medium to share your testimony with others. This is not only a wonderful way to bless people going through similar situations, but it’s incredibly therapeutic for the writer as well.
It seems the more personal and embarrassingly real I get, the more I heal on the deepest level. My emotional health has reached beautiful new heights over the past 3 years that I’ve shared my testimony in this open forum. If you’ve been here before, you know mental health issues are a common theme of mine…
I also share about my faith and my struggles over the years in this area. God brings me closer to Him with every typed word. This continues to amaze me on a daily basis.
But even more important than my own personal healing, I’m blown away by the community joining me here today. It’s filled with loving people including those who just like to read, others who share their own stories in the comments, or some that reach out to me by email. I’m still overwhelmed every time I hear “Me, too” or “I needed to hear this today.”
Telling my story in this online space has been life-changing for me. There have definitely been many fears and difficulties along the journey, but I’m incredibly thankful for pushing through and being so transparent. It has been one of my most worthwhile endeavors on so many levels.
I want to encourage you today to consider blogging to share your story. We need more real life behind-the-scenes stories. Tell others the beauty from ashes experiences God has seen you through AND let us know the areas He’s still working on! So much healing is possible in this online world…
Getting Started Resources
Elite Blog Academy has been one of the most valuable investments I’ve made on my blog. The doors only open twice a year. Click here, scroll down to the Join the Waiting List button, and you’ll be notified before the class starts again.
You will also receive absolutely FREE the EBA Blog Structure Blueprint so that you can start organizing your blog right away! Even if you decide not to join EBA, this awesome resource is yours to keep:
Traffic is incredibly important for our blogs. We want to make sure these words we work so hard on get in front of as many eyes as possible. Pinterest is by far my greatest traffic source and I credit Blog Clarity’s Pinning Perfect class for my success in this area.
The course was recently updated to reflect the many changes in Pinterest. There’s an active Facebook group for students that’s been extremely helpful to me as well. Learn more here:
For instructions on setting up a blog, check out this article by Jeff Goins. He does a great job breaking down the steps and explaining the basics of how to get started.
Let me know if you have any questions. I would love to help you share your testimony in this beautiful online world!
Great content Candace!! Blogging is no joke:) Thank you for your encouragement and taking the time to teach others to use these online tools to spread love and truth into the world!
You are so right, Meg. It’s no joke :). Blogging is such a powerful tool if we fully utilize it!
Candace,
Sweet friend it’s always a delight to hear from you. I echo the sentiment that blogging is a great medium for sisterhood, community and healing. Before I began blogging, I thought I’d be a journalist blogger. I thought I’d disseminate “how-to” knowledge. The Lord abruptly interrupted that plan by saying “The people don’t have an information problem. There is more than enough information.” Then he asked me, “How do they overcome”. To which I replied, by the blood of the lamb and the word of the testimony, He said exactly, so your blog will share testimony not information. That rocked my world. I had no intention on exposing my life, too much vulnerability there. But as I reflect on 2 years of blogging, yesterday was my blogiversary, I rejoice that I obeyed his command as my own life and the lives of the readers have been richly blessed. I’m so thankful to have found you blogging friend and pray for your continued prosperity as you obediently share your story.
Happy blogiversary, Tyra! I rejoice as well that you obeyed Him. I have certainly been blessed by reading your testimony, my friend. I’m so thankful you chose that path.
I agree that it’s not always easy to share our story but it is powerful when we do. It does bring healing and it’s so encouraging when God can use our words to help someone else or let them know they’re not alone.
The healing is amazing, Lesley. I never would have imagined how far it would bring me. This blog was created to help others but I think it’s helped me far more :).
I definitely prefer real-life stories! I’m glad we’ve gotten to connect through blogging. Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
I’m so glad we connected as well, Kristin. It’s amazing how well we can all feel we know each other without ever meeting in real life. Blogging certainly builds beautiful friendships!
Oh, how true, Candace. I fall into the “I don’t measure up” trap so easily. I’m so grateful God led me to your blog as I so often feel that “me, too” comfort and am blessed by your sharing transparently. Blogging has blessed me, too. Sometimes I struggle to write vulnerably, but it has been a blessing to be able to bring hope into other people’s lives. Blessings and hugs to you!
I feel the same about you, Trudy! I’m so grateful we found each other. I nod my head in “me, too” unison every time I read your words :). Blessings and hugs to you, my friend!
I love how I can share online my faith and be so real. In person, I find it harder to be open; but on my blog I can share my struggles and how God is real to me. I loved your quote, and I have enjoyed seeing how God has worked in your life by reading your posts.
The blogging world has been amazing for an introvert like me, Tammy. I completely agree about being able to be more open in this space. I enjoy reading your words as well :). I’m thankful we were brought together on this crazy journey!
I love how you put it, Candace … that blogging has given us alot of ‘me, too’ moments! Building a safe community one conversation at a time is the finest blogging has to offer.
I’m so glad we get to rub shoulders on this issue, friend …
I’m so blessed to be in a community with you, Linda. Those “me, too” moments are so profound. It’s been a long, wild ride, but I wouldn’t change a thing, my friend ;).
Great encouragement. Thank you.
Thank you, Marielle! I’m so glad you were encouraged here :).
I LOVE that your “emotional health has reached beautiful new heights ” through blogging – because I’d have to say the same thing! Blogging has changed my life in so many ways, and it’s very therapeutic (which I found quite surprising) lol. I believe that God is raising up bloggers as His online voice, and I love that I can be a part of it. (And for anyone thinking about starting a blog… You SHOULD!)
I found the incredibly therapeutic benefits a huge surprise as well, Carly. I couldn’t have imagined the power of sharing life stories here in this space. I can’t agree with you more about God’s plan for bloggers! And I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of it too :).
Telling your story can be so powerful!
It really is for both the writer and the reader, Akaleistar. This has been one of my favorite lessons about blogging :).
I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Elite Academy. This sounds like a great bundle for bloggers new and old..
I love EBA, Sonya. It’s pretty pricey though. This bundle is much more affordable and actually includes a course written by the creator of EBA. I’m already getting a lot out of the bundle :).
I appreciate your authentic story-telling on your blog always, Candace. You open up the way for others to be real too! Love what you’re doing here.
What a beautiful complement, Betsy. I really hope to help others be real. It’s so important on many levels. I always appreciate your valuable and encouraging words on your blog as well :).
Your title drew me in. I have been praying for direction with my blogging and writing and will continue to try listening for God’s voice over my own. Waiting is hard, but obviously there’s a reason for it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. #happynowlinkup
Waiting is so hard, Katy! I feel like I’m in that space as well. He will show us the way in His perfect timing :).
I love how you did this post justice by sharing your journey and encouraging others to share their story. I’ve seen many promotions for this sale this week and I have to say that yours in one of the most authentic. Thank you for being true to you, Candace.
Hugs!
#cbbbuddy #happynowlinkup
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Marva. That is a very sweet complement. I don’t promote a lot of products, only ones I truly love. This really helps with authenticity! Unfortunately, as you know, we have bills to pay in these online spaces ;).
Oh the highlight reel, that quote is fantastic. I need to remember that and not be so hard on myself. Thanks for always sharing the good over here!
I love that quote, Jen! I bring it to mind with every scroll of any social media feed :). So very helpful.
I love that quote. Yes, we feel like we’re inadequate if we compare ourselves to other people’s success. But we don’t see the struggle behind it. We are all in a battle and we become victorious in our own time.
One of the reasons I keep blogging actually is to make people feel less alone. That someone out there knows what they’re going through. 🙂
Love this, Candace! Had a few days of having a difficult time connecting but I’m back online!
How’s your Halloween?
It’s great to have you back online, Lux. I love this: “We are all in a battle and we become victorious in our own time.” Amen, sister!
Halloween was good. I hope yours was as well. This is the first year both of my kids have officially outgrown trick or treating so it was a little bittersweet ;).
Blogging is definitely a lot of work, but so worth it if you really put your heart into it. I love that it’s provided some healing for you over time as well. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
I completely agree, Leslie. It’s so much work, but well worth it. Thanks for the linkup :)!
Thank you Candace for the encouragement. I have so much to say and would love to tell of how God brought me through some devastating times. My only challenge is being able to navigate the story without exposing others. You see my story includes what was done to me and some of my crazy reactions that God used to teach me so much. How can I testify for God’s glory and not tarnish another’s life? Maybe you had to consider the same. I live in a pretty small island where a lot of us know each other or at least know of each other. Thank you and God bless you.
Hi Michelle, I’m so sorry for my delayed response. I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus :). That is such a tough question and something I struggle with a lot. The main people I worried about was my parents as I share some things about my childhood here. I had a long talk with my mom about it before I started writing here and she graciously told me to share my story however I needed to. My dad however knows nothing about this online space as we no longer have a relationship.
I’ve read some on this topic and the general consensus seems to be to tell your story the best way possible without sharing identifying characteristics about the other people involved. I’m honestly not at all sure on legality issues though. I would imagine living in a small close knit community as you do makes all this much more difficult.
I wish I could be more help. Again, that’s such a tough topic I think all of us writers really struggle with. I’ll definitely pray for you as you navigate this road. I will tell you from personal experience that just writing your story is SO healing, even if no one ever sees it. Maybe start there. It’s great to meet you!
just what I needed to read this morning!!! thank you!!! almost ready to do this!!!
That’s so exciting, Debra!! You won’t regret it. I’m thrilled not only for you but also for all the people you will serve with your testimony. I’ve gained so much from opening this little spot on the internet as I know you will with yours :).