Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Why I Share the Bad Stuff in Public...

My husband asked me if I thought it was a good idea to share things like in my last post, being brutally honest about whatever I'm struggling with on the world wide web. Just thought you all might be interested in why I choose to be as transparent on here as possible. It's really for a couple of reasons.

First of all, I've mentioned before I use my blog as a kind of journal of my life so I (and my family) will be able to look back on what God has done.

Second of all, I think God gets way more glory when people can see the story from start to finish. In other words, if I didn't share the ugly parts of what I'm dealing with, my testimony will not be as amazing to you when I tell you how God has transformed and conformed me to Jesus. Yes, I have faith that the things I'm struggling with now will be a great story of God's grace and power at some point in the future, and even now it proves how faithful he is to sustain, comfort, and pour out compassion on his children. Already my faith has been boosted since I wrote the last post. Perhaps I'll share that little story next, it's a little funny...

4 comments:

Dan Bowen said...

The way I see it, we can blog in two ways. We can blog FOR our readers and therefore write what we think they want to read. Or we can blog AS us and be truly us. I prefer the second choice. I think it's why your blog is on the short-list of blogs I read regularly. You were honest, and you were real and you are great!! So keep at it. You're amazing!

Mattityahu said...

Hey Julie,

I find its very helpful to other brothers and sisters in Christ to confess their weaknesses, sins, worries, doubts and so on. I've noticed the majority of my posts have to do with me going through some sort of problem. Sometimes I feel like I need to lighten up because people must be getting tired of reading about my frustrations. But as Dan says, it isn't about putting on a show for others, it's about being real.

Personally, hearing that people are human and not super Christians makes me feel a lot better! Most of the time it seems like I am the only one who deals with those kind of issues. So by all means, share the bad stuff! ;)

lydia said...

Yes Dan, and yes Matthew (Daelon) and you three, Julie included are some of the most real, transparent, and passionate people(bloggers) I know - You inspire me and I always look forward to your posts!!!
Not only do we get to watch your journey with you, but we get to see that we are not alone in our struggles and we get the chance to walk alongside each other and encourage one another daily!

Anonymous said...

I think everyone should share at whatever level they are comfortable. For some people, just being able to put their honest feelings out there helps - even apart from any feedback. And then sometimes, a commenter will give you feedback that puts things in a new light.

Not everyone is comfortable with sharing personal troubles (anyone reading my blog knows I'm not!), but all it takes is one person to share for the rest of us to see it and say "I've been through that too - I'm not alone!"

Of course one might say, "suck it up! Keep it inside, depend on Christ alone!" But we are all of us the body of Christ.