While sitting in church recently my pastor said something that felt like he was speaking directly to me.

I love when that happens, don’t you? It’s like a little wink from God.

He was teaching on the faithfulness and goodness of God, reminding us that if we have family and friends who are not Christian, we can pray for God to bring someone else to speak into their life.

He reminded the congregation that we are not the only voice speaking truth to those we love.

And then he said something else—eight words that have changed me;

It’s the same story from a different voice.

It occurred to me then—Maybe it really does take a different voice.

As I was getting ready for church that morning I was wrestling with the same old enemy:

Feeling a bit invisible and unnecessary.

For years I have felt this nudging to tell my story, to speak up and speak out, to help other Christians that suffer as I have with depression, anxiety, and worry. To be a voice of comfort and reason in a world that seems harsh and unforgiving.

To give hope to others that lack hope as I once did.

Closely following on the heels of these good thoughts are also extremely critical ones that taunt me; “You don’t matter, it’s all been said and done before.”

I have struggled frequently with the feeling that my story doesn’t have value.

Or more specifically, that it’s all been said before.

Like maybe I’m a little late to the game.

I wrestle with how any insight could be added to a million voices that have gone before me.

What could I possibly say that hasn’t been said before?

How could my minuscule life help anybody?

God Knows How

Although my pastor wasn’t speaking directly to this issue that morning, his words spoke perfectly to my heart.

He had no clue that his words and his voice would change my perspective that day.

But God did.

I’ve probably heard it said a thousand times before:

Your story matters.

But for some reason, that morning, those words—the same story from a different voice—that is exactly what God knew I needed to hear.

That is why it is imperative that we speak our stories. We truly never know how God will use them.

My voice does have value.

I know I will most likely continue to have days where I doubt my value, but I now have a truth to stand on when those days come.

I can remind myself that my life is absolutely important and I should share.

So, I will.

My narrative may be just another “look what God has done” story, but I realize now, that’s the point— to hear of God’s faithfulness from yet another voice.

There are literally innumerable amounts of people who have dealt with struggles of every shape and have found hope and healing through Jesus.

What if every one of them kept silent?

What if they didn’t blog about it, talk about it or share their story with others that were struggling?

There would be countless exceptional stories left unspoken, and even more so,  an untold amount of spiritually crippled people because of it.

God can’t use a story that’s been left untold to change lives and give hope.

Therefore, He asks His people to speak of His goodness.

He requests we share the good, the miraculous and surprising things that He has done because every single one is meant for a unique purpose.

Your story really does matter

Have you felt the need to share hope with others because of something you have gone through but haven’t done so yet?

It might not look like the way I choose to share my story—maybe it’s on a smaller level. Perhaps it’s to a friend or someone you know that is going through a hard time similar to something you have gone through.

Regardless, of how or when, remember that your voice matters.

A different voice telling the exact same story of a God that is bigger than any amount of pain or suffering we have endured is necessary.

It doesn’t matter if we’ve heard it a million times—go ahead—be the million and first.

Because it’s needed.

YOUR voice may be the exact thing someone needs to hear today in precisely the only way YOU could tell it.

The truth is, that we can hear the same thing over and over again without any response until finally, something clicks.

Who’s to say you’re not the one to speak to make it click?

Speak your story to be that different voice

Don’t decide that your story isn’t important because it’s not as spectacular as the next person’s. Don’t give in to the lies that nobody will benefit from your voice.

I know I’m just another girl with a story.

But it’s a beautiful story.

It’s a story of redemption. When God turned ashes into something beautiful.

It’s a tale about God’s faithfulness through the valley of hurt and pain and how He continues to carry me through to the other side.

I am truly just another voice with the same story of faithfulness.

And you know, I’m okay with that.

Because it is uniquely mine.

Though it’s not entirely new.

But that’s the point.

It’s the same story of God’s faithfulness from a different Voice.

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Share your unique voice, friend, it’s needed.

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Recognizing That Your Unique Voice Matters