Here’s a statement I’ve heard from Christians more times than I can count:
“I don’t have much of a testimony.”
I’ve said it plenty of times myself. Maybe you’ve said it too.
You see, I grew up in a Christian home with a pastor for a dad, and honestly, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in Jesus. Church was a regular part of my life, and at age 12 I took ownership of my faith. I got baptized, attended youth groups, and always strove to obey God’s Word. Sure, I had my struggles with mental health and doubt, but I never walked away from God.
I want your testimony
My story is plain. Nothing is heart-wrenching or inspiring about it — or at least that’s what I believed.
I’ve heard plenty of radical, life-altering testimonies. You know the ones — the person who hit rock bottom, was caught in addiction, partying, or chasing money and meaning in all the wrong places. Then they had a miraculous encounter with Jesus, turned their life around, and maybe even started a nonprofit to help those with similar struggles.
I remember hearing those stories when I was younger and thinking I wish I had a testimony like that. I selfishly wanted to have a “cool” story, ignoring the real pain that comes with sin. I wanted to be an “inspiring” Christian. But deep down, those desires weren’t about glorifying God; they were about glorifying me. I wanted the attention.
Lost in translation
I even tried to inflate my own story. I dug for any hardship I could find in my relatively sheltered life. I once spent over five minutes of a testimony talking about my supposed struggles and pain, only to run out of time and quickly wrap up with, “Then God saved me!”
I’m embarrassed to admit my testimony angst, yet the more I’ve talked with other Christians, the more I realize I’m not alone. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a believer say their faith story is “boring” or “not much to talk about.” Just as often, I’ve heard testimonies filled with long, detailed accounts of past sins, with God getting little attention and even less credit.
Somewhere between the New Testament church and now, we lost sight of the true purpose of a personal testimony. A testimony is not about one-upping other Christians, nor is it a chance to relive or brag about past sins. It’s not really about you at all. Instead, your testimony is an opportunity to showcase God’s goodness and grace in your life. Ultimately, it should point to Him, not to you.
Find your story
If you are a true follower of Jesus, then you have a powerful story — no matter the path you’ve taken or situations you’ve experienced. Your story is a valuable tool for sharing the gospel. We’re told in 1 Peter 3:15 to
“always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
Having Christian faith means being able to answer the question: “Why do you follow Jesus?” Craft your testimony by starting there. Even if you grew up in a Christian home, what after all these years has kept you believing? If you have an answer, you have something worth sharing.
From there, begin to expand. What led you to that belief? How has God shown up in your life? Why do you need Jesus today? How does following Him affect the way you live?
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all structure for how you give your testimony. I’ve heard people say to start by sharing about your life before Christ, but you may not have a life before Christ. I don’t really have one, and that’s OK. In fact, it’s good. That in itself is evidence of God’s goodness and grace!
When I tell my testimony, I talk about my parents’ deep devotion to God and the countless ways He’s protected my family. I reflect on the journey of forming my own relationship with Jesus. I explain how I know He’s real and loves me, and I share how this belief saves me and motivates everything I do.
Maybe my story has never brought anyone to tears, but thankfully, that’s not the point. Its purpose is to glorify God for what He’s done in my life and to encourage others to put their faith in Jesus. My role is simply to set my focus on Christ and trust the Holy Spirit to move as He wills — tears or no tears.
As you reflect on your testimony, keep your heart and words pointed toward heaven. Remember, it’s not about having the most radical, back-from-the-brink journey. You have nothing to prove. Simply share your honest walk with the Lord. After all, if He’s in your story, it’s anything but boring.
Copyright 2025 Lily Combs. All rights reserved.
