An Encouraging Testimony

When I was in high school, I read the book “Tortured For His Faith” by Haralan Popov. He was a prominent pastor in Bulgaria in the late 1940’s. Stalin had taken over his homeland and had him and several other pastors arrested. They were accused of being spies. He was tortured mercilessly for days and had brainwashing techniques used on him until he confessed to being a spy. He spent the next 13 years in prison and concentration camps being beaten and tortured for his faith. As I read his remarkable autobiography, my own faith was strengthened and challenged. How he handled himself and shared his faith in prison, while under duress, stirred up my faith and trust in God.

In Luke 22, Jesus was with the disciples eating the Passover meal before He would be arrested and tortured. In verse 31, He looked at Peter and said, “Peter, my dear friend, listen to what I’m about to tell you. Satan has obtained permission to come and sift you all like wheat and test your faith” (TPT). He knew Peter was about to deny him and go through a difficult time. As the leader of the disciples, Peter would want to return to his old life, but Jesus knew He would restore Peter and his faith. Jesus told him that after his faith was restored and returned to make it his life mission to strengthen the others. What Peter went through became a testimony that encouraged other believers throughout the known world that encouraged the faith in others. Even the story of his imprisonment and death encourages and strengthens us today to live out our faith.

In Philippians 1:14 Paul said, “And what I’m going through has actually caused many believers to become even more courageous in the Lord and to be bold and passionate to preach the Word of God, all because of my chains.” Paul didn’t let what he was going through hurt his trust in God. Instead, the trials he suffered caused other believers to become more courageous in their faith. I don’t know what you’re going through right now. Chances are that it’s not being tortured for your faith. That doesn’t minimize your suffering or your pain though. However, Jesus is interceding on your behalf right now and his prayer is that when you come through, your testimony will strengthen the faith of others. People see how you handle yourself in your most difficult moments and God uses that to grow faith in others. There is good that can come from even the darkest times of our lives. God will always work everything together for good for those who love Him. Use your testimony to strengthen and encourage others in their faith.

Photo by Mehmet Bozgedik on Unsplash