The Power of an Unpolished Testimony

We put a LOT of pressure on ourselves to make sure our testimonies are “polished” so that when people of this world hear them, they may be so blown away by the goodness of God that they dedicate their life to him in that very moment. Don’t get me wrong, our testimonies absolutely SHOULD blow people away by the goodness of God and spark curiosity inside of them, but God’s Word is clear when it says, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” (2 Tim. 1:8, English Standard Version). What this verse reminds us of is that our testimony isn’t meant to impress people with our eloquence or our “perfect story”—it’s meant to glorify God and point to His power. Our story, in all its messy, ordinary, and even painful moments, is enough because it reflects the work of a God who redeems, restores, and transforms. We don’t need to add extra sparkle or polish; we simply need to be honest, faithful, and willing to share how God has moved in our lives. I would be lying if I said this didn’t step on my toes, and I can only hope and pray that it steps on yours, too. I have found myself comparing and contrasting the ways in which God has moved in my life to the way he has moved in the lives of others, and I can only imagine the shame that brings upon his face. It is as if we are saying, “well, you didn’t do as nice of a job as you did in his/her life, God, but thanks for trying”.

That realization wrecked me—in the best way. Because the truth is, God doesn’t need our stories to be dramatic to be divine. He doesn’t need our testimonies to be polished to be powerful. Every story of salvation—every moment of surrender, healing, conviction, or quiet obedience—is evidence of His grace at work. When we start comparing our testimonies, we shift the spotlight from the Savior to ourselves. But when we share humbly, honestly, and without shame, we give God room to do what only He can do—touch hearts, open eyes, and change lives.

So instead of striving for a picture-perfect story, let’s strive for a truthful one. Let’s boast not in our transformation, but in the One who transforms. Because at the end of the day, the power of your testimony isn’t in how impressive it sounds—it’s in how deeply it reveals Jesus.