I recently read an article that was of concern, so I thought we explore this topic today while enjoying a cuppa together.
So let’s grab our cuppa’s, treats & get comfy. Today I thought I would have a mug of Vanilla Chai Tea & a gf Raspberry & Yogurt Slice to accompany my cuppa.
It’s cold here again as I write, we did have some lovely warm sunny Spring days last week but this week we’re back to the colder days & nights which happens in September & October here in the Southern Hemisphere.
So while I would love us to sit out in my beautiful Spring garden it’s a little too chilly so we’ll enjoy viewing it from behind glass sliding doors where it’s a lot warmer.
Let’s begin…
The article of concern was making the point that we should not mention the challenges we experience in our lives for that would ultimately define us & show a lack of faith in God. Hmmmm, sadly this belief has become a doctrine in certain fellowships & it’s concerning.
Before we continue let’s take a look at the general meaning of define;
“…to mark limits & boundaries, to fix or show outlines clearly, stating precisely what is comprised or meant by.”
So to be defined by something would mean to be limited or have a boundary placed upon us by that thing.
Is that so?
Does talking or sharing what we live with each day define us?
Well that entirely depends upon the motive & the focus of the individual who’s sharing.
You see we’re told in God’s word to help each other with one another’s burdens & that can be in any area of our lives;
“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].” Galatians 6: 2 AMP
My question is; How will our brothers & sisters in Christ know about our burdens (challenges) if we don’t share them? Of course this needs to be done with discernment with the appropriate people, time & place.
Now I agree that focusing upon just the challenges each day & not God’s blessings & strength within those challenges will definitely define your state of mind.
But living & rising above the challenges through Christ Jesus will give you a wonderfully encouraging & poignant testimony to share with others.
Talking or writing about a challenge or circumstance does not define us. Nor does it show a lack of faith.
What defines us is who we are…& for those of us who love Jesus we are defined by His very nature & Spirit living within not by our circumstances.
Please don’t place burdens upon others that are not of God
Let’s make this personal…
Many years ago when my late husband Ed was in palliative care with a very aggressive brain tumor a lady came to the hospital & quoted the following scripture that she had read that morning & believed it was for me;
“‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal…I will add fifteen years of life…” 2 Kings 20:5-6 BSB
Telling me if I had enough faith God would do this for Ed. Like all ‘messages’ that come to me through others, I took this to the Lord in prayer for I already had absolute faith that God’s Will would be done for Ed. Whether that was complete healing or taken into His Glorious presence.
Ed died a few days later. Does that mean my faith was not enough? No, it meant that Ed’s time had come for we’re told;
“…all my days were written in Your (God’s) book and ordained for me before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139: 16 BSB
The following scriptures are important especially when we share our experiences;
“Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16 AMP
&
“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” Proverbs 4: 23 BSB
The lesson learned was we need to have discernment & guard our hearts in what & how much we share that is personal.
And my friend if God is calling you to share your experience with others, through your writing or by other means then He is the One you look to for wisdom & discernment not others.
The Take Away
By not sharing or even mentioning the challenging circumstances in our lives is actually unhealthy mentally, emotionally & spiritually!
But sharing what God is doing in our lives, His victory in & through the challenges we face each day we become living testimonies of His love, power & strength encouraging others in their walk with Him.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
or in Prayer
© 2025 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photos by Sasha at pexels.com
Featured at Stephanie’s Crazy Little Love Birds linky
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I agree with you that it is good to share what we’re going through–the good, the bad, and the ugly. If we’re not authentic with each other, how can we come along and help each other? Great “exploration” of this topic, Jennifer!
Thank you Lisa! 😊
Jennifer, thank you for sharing this wonderful post with us. I truly appreciate your insightful words, as they always provide me with plenty to reflect upon. This is an excellent topic, and I will be featuring your post tomorrow at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.
Thank you Stephanie that’s a lovely surprise. Also I tried to leave a comment on your recent holiday post but had trouble again.
Thank you so much, Jennifer. I love to visit here and read your wisdom and thoughts shared. Much food for thought each time
Thank you for linking to SSPS 381 See you again Monday
Thank you Esme, it’s a pleasure having you join me here for a cuppa & reflection! 😊
Good words. From another angle, if we don’t share our troubles with others, then how can we possibly share our answers to prayer as no one knew about it? But, of course, there is sharing, and then there is sharing. If we only share to grumble and get people to feel sorry for us, there will not be any benefit to it. But when we share our hearts with like-minded people, especially when we know those people will pray, we will see the hand of God moving in our lives. It’s good to share the word with people going through difficult times, but we also need to be careful not to turn the sharing into personal prophesy which, if it goes awry, will cause more heartache than ever. Thanks for sharing this concern, Jennifer.
I agree Diane, hearing & sharing about God’s gracious answer to prayer is so very encouraging & exciting!
We recently had someone in our fellowship who was healed of a terrible malady, there were many tears of joy & much praising of God! 😊
Excellent advice Jennifer!
Thank you Donna! So lovely having you drop by today my friend. 😊
Jennifer, having someone to share a burden, knowing they will pray, is a blessing. I often think of the joy both then share when the Lord responds. It builds up faith and assurance in our God in both people. A burden shared then becomes a joy shared.
I agree wholeheartedly Joanne. And I love your following statement;
” A burden shared then becomes a joy shared.” Amen!
Thank you, Jennifer. This insight is needed in our world. I remember reading it before about what you heard when your husband was dying, but again, I’m so sorry for what you went through. Loss is tough enough but words from Christians who tear you down by saying you don’t have enough faith makes the pain all the deeper. In the post I sent out today, I share a little of this. Love, hugs, and blessings to you!
Thank you Trudy. I’ll check out your post love & hugs to you too. 💕
It’s interesting to me that I happened across this post tonight as I have been debating back and forth about sharing my own testimony and journey — somewhere (be it on my own site or elsewhere, I do not know yet). I still need to sit and pray on it more. I’m not sure what the Lord would have me do just yet. I used to write very often and kept a regular blog about the Bible and my journey through it in everyday life but over the years, especially after having children, I’ve fallen out of it. I’ve also come from a background that left me full of old wounds that have not properly been dealt with just yet, so boundaries have been something I never properly learned. Share too much and it feels too vulnerable and don’t share at all and feel a lack of connection with others on a real level.
More to pray about I suppose. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences, I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. Yes the Lord will definitely guide & direct you in what He wants you to share & how much.
You may enjoy reading my testimony which begins in https://teawithjennifer.blog/chapter-one/
Jennifer, we had home group tonight (Sunday) and a sweet lady shared about her adult son who had strayed from God and had blamed all that had gone wrong in his life on her and her husband. They have 5 children all raised in the same home, and he is the only one not serving God. Sharing was healing for her to know we all cared and would be praying.
Thank you for sharing, it is always timely and inspirational!
You’re most welcome. Thank you Pam for sharing that, it’s so important to share & help carry one another’s burdens. 💕