Writing My Story

 

This past weekend at Forefront we were encouraged to write out our stories as we think about our current and future relationships...

 

The purpose of this is to uncover and be aware of some of the wounds we bring in to any relationship. Most of us are keenly aware of the good things we bring (sense of humor, great personality, charm, etc...) but are not as good at identifying the ‘baggage’ we bring with us (insecurity, unworthiness, lack of self-respect, etc...), but these are crucial to make known if we want to engage in healthy relationships as an adult.

 

King Solomon wrote:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

 

This exercise is intended to help you guard/monitor your heart before and during the relationships you develop throughout your life.

 

Using the prompters below, if necessary, write out your story on a pad of paper or on your computer.  Then, read it out-loud to yourself. Pray that God would begin to heal you of your past (stuff you’ve done, stuff done to you) and that you would be aware of these issues as you encounter others...

 

Finally, if appropriate, share your story either with your spouse (if married) or someone close to you — letting the secrets out are a huge part of the healing process!

 

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MY STORY

(note: these are prompters — feel free to expand/delete/add as you wish)

 

I was born in ____________________________

Raised in _________________________________

 

Write for a little while what life was like at home...

 

I grew up with/without a mother & father

My relationship with my father could best be described as:

At age 8...

 

At age 18...

 

Now...

 

My relationship with my mother could best be described as:

At age 8...

 

At age 18...

 

Now...

 

I had ________ siblings. I was the oldest/youngest/etc... and this is how that affected me in the home.

 

At a young age I discovered some of my greatest talents were...

 

I also discovered that some of my greatest fears were...

 

My view of myself during my teenage years could best be described as...

 

Growing up, some of the most pivotal moments/circumstances of my life that have made me who I am (for better or worse) were...

 

Growing up, this is how I felt about/perceived God at the age of 7...

 

This is how I felt about/perceived God at the age of 17...

 

This is how I see God today...

 

So...based on my life’s experiences, thus far, these are some of the good things that I am bringing in to a relationship (confidence, security, education, personality, devotion, responsibility, etc...) and these are some of the things that have shaped me through the years (insecurity, inability to trust others, lack of self-esteem, fears of abandonment).

 

*As you discuss this with another person, please pray that God will give you the heart to both give and receive feedback during this process. Telling your story is a huge, monumental first step in becoming all that God created you to be.

 

Now, “love one another...”

 

For additional resources please check out these books:

Love and War by John and Stasi Elderedge

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

The Lies We Believe by Dr. Chris Thurman

It Came From Within by Andy Stanley

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman