Testimonies are powerful. They always communicate and display the character of God: His faithfulness, provision, love, strength, might, and plans (1 Cor 1:5-7) (Rev 12:11) (Ex 37 – 38). With testimonies holding this much capacity to encourage and embolden our hearts and the hearts of those around us, it is important that we record and share the ways that the Lord is moving in our lives and on our behalf (Isa 8:16).  

However, in order to share the great things that the Lord is doing in our lives, we must be aware of what He is actually doing. This requires that we consistently spend time seeking the Lord in prayer and worship, corporately and individually. This allows us to bring our requests before the Lord. It also causes our hearts to have deeper connection to the Lord, so that when He moves on our behalf, we are able to recognize it. He is a good Father who loves to give good gifts to His children when they ask (Matt 7:11). Knowing this cornerstone truth, we can be sure that the Lord will indeed answer our prayers and fill our lives with blessings.

When those answered prayers and blessings do come, it is important to record or document them. Without finding a way to record what the Lord is doing in our lives we are liable to forget what He has done and are less likely to share those testimonies with others. Keeping track of testimonies can look look like a number of different things. Using a calendar app on your phone to document when the Lord answered your prayers, writing down testimonies in a journal, creating sketches or drawing that communicate that capture the goodness of the Lord and communicate His provision, composing a song or poem that tells the testimony. These are just a few ways to document and record testimonies; the options and possibilities are numerous if not endless.

By keeping a good record of what the Lord is doing in your life, you will help to keep the gaze of your heart fixed on Him, His character, His nature. You will also be able to more readily share testimonies with others. Telling and re-telling the moments in your life where the goodness of the Lord was displayed will encourage those around you and build up their faith.  

Recording testimonies is powerful for another reason. Our hearts can become weary in seasons that seem dry and barren. In these moments, it is important that we find ways to encourage our hearts. Encouragement can come powerfully through prayer, worship and remaining connected to the dreams and promises the Lord has given us. But, it can also be beneficial to look back through the corridor of time and go through testimonies from earlier seasons. Reviewing the blessings, answered prayers and miracles of the past will help build up our faith. While dwelling in the past is dangerous, calling to mind testimonies can put courage in our hearts and give us hope for the future. Our hearts will be reminded that His nature is constant and that His heart is always for us.  

And that is exactly what testimonies communicate, Dear Saints. They declare the goodness of the Lord, solidify His ability and willingness to move mightily on our behalf, and beckon us to continue to seek Him in prayer with expectant, hopeful hearts.