Because not every testimony starts in the valley—some of us just wake up on the mountaintop and realize we didn’t climb it alone.
When Gratitude Overwhelms You (And You Don’t Know What to Do About It)
Most people expect testimonies to come with a dramatic soundtrack—something involving rock-bottom moments, desperate prayers, and miraculous turnarounds. And those stories? They’re powerful. But what if your testimony isn’t one of survival but of realization?
That was me. No crisis, no breaking point—just an overwhelming moment of gratitude where I saw my life for what it truly was: not the result of my own grind, but the pure, unearned grace of God.
The truth is – and it’s one I denied myself of acknowledging and owning – I have heard His call to my heart for as long as I can remember. This, despite not growing up with religion or in church, (aside from special occasions) and most definitely not with a foundation in Christianity. Heck, I didn’t even know any Christians. Catholics? Yes. Plenty of those. That’s what scared me away. (Sorry Catholic folks). All I knew was the voice of the Holy Spirit… which I just considered as “my inside voice.” Then, it only (ahem) took 50 years before I said, “You know what, I’m going just embrace this, and see where it leads me.”
Well, it led me to want to grab everyone I knew (and people I don’t know) by the arm and shout,
Hey! I know Jesus! He’s my friend! You should get to know Him, too!”
*Read that again in the voice of Buddy the Elf to get the full effect of my exuberance.
But then came the hesitation: Is my story even worth telling? After all, I didn’t claw my way out of addiction or find Jesus in a prison cell. I wasn’t rescued from the brink—I was just sitting on my back porch,drinking my coffee & watching the sun rise through the trees, when it hit me:
Everything I have is because of Him.
For a while, I hesitated to share that. Until I realized something so simple, yet so profound: every story that ends with Jesus is a great story.
My Testimony: Seeing God’s Hand Everywhere
I used to think faith was something you leaned on when life knocked you down… or when you needed a favor, or a wish granted. And yes, I know, God is a rescuer, not a genie. But what about when life is good? What about when you’re just moving through your days, working, laughing, making plans—and suddenly you realize:
Wait… I didn’t get here by myself.
I started looking back on my life, and the more I reflected, the more I saw His fingerprints on everything. The doors that opened (or closed) when they shouldn’t have. The people placed in my life (or removed) at the exact right moments. The protection from situations I didn’t even realize were dangerous.
This wasn’t coincidence. This wasn’t luck.
Psalm 37:23 (NKJV):
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”
God was there the whole time, orchestrating, guiding, providing—even when I was too busy making my own plans to notice.
And here’s the thing: if I hadn’t taken a moment to pause and truly recognize His presence, I might have spent my whole life thinking I had built this life through sheer hard work and determination. But no amount of hustle can explain the divine grace that has carried me.
What This Means for You: The Power of Recognizing God’s Hand
You don’t have to hit rock bottom to have a powerful testimony. Sometimes, faith is about recognition, not just rescue.
God’s grace isn’t only for the broken—it’s for the blessed, too. And sometimes, the most radical act of faith is simply acknowledging that everything you have, everything you are, is because of Him.
If you’ve ever felt like your story isn’t “dramatic enough” to share, let me remind you:
Testimonies aren’t about what you went through. They’re about Who brought you through.
And that alone makes your story worth telling.
What You Can Do to Strengthen Your Faith
1. Reflect on Your Own Story
- Take a moment to look back at your life. Identify the moments where things “just happened to work out.” (Spoiler: That wasn’t luck.)
- Write down a few key times when you know God was guiding you—even if you didn’t realize it at the time.
2. Stop Downplaying Your Testimony
- Share your story, even if it doesn’t feel “big” enough.
- Remind yourself (and others) that grace is as powerful as redemption.
- Remember Romans 10:17 (NKJV):
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Your testimony might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
3. Build a Habit of Thankfulness
- Start each day by recognizing one way God is moving in your life.
- Keep a gratitude journal that focuses on His provisions, not just your accomplishments.
- Make Psalm 100:4 (NKJV) part of your daily life:
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
4. Stay in the Word and in Community
- Strengthen your faith with regular prayer and scripture study.
- Surround yourself with people who encourage you to see God’s hand in your life.
- Get involved in a church or faith-based group that aligns with your walk.
Every Story That Ends With Jesus Is a Great Story
Some people find God in the middle of a crisis. Others—like me—find Him in the quiet moments, overwhelmed by gratitude. Both are miraculous. Both are powerful. And both deserve to be shared.
The next time you hesitate to talk about what God has done in your life, remember: your testimony isn’t about where you started. It’s about where you ended up—with Him.
And that? That’s a story worth telling.
What’s your story? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear how God has shown up in your life.
