Everyone loves stories; we find ourselves automatically drawn to them. Somehow we are hard-wired for stories deep inside our brains.

We organise our memories of past events in the context of stories. As we link and make sense of our life stories, we project a view of the world that organises future stories. Painful stories that occur early in our lives can leave us with an unhealthy worldview that continue to have a negative impact on us.

In my work, I encounter people who have experienced physical and emotional trauma in their lives. One telling sign of whether they have found resolution and moved on is whether they are able to tell a balanced and coherent story of their lives; a story that threads both the negative and positive aspects, told with a balance of emotion and rationalisation; a story that is able to draw strength from adversity; a story that remains tentative and is comfortable with uncertainties.

“Life is a story. You can choose your story. A story with God is the better story.”
– Yann Martel,
author of ‘Life of Pi’

Some do better. They are the ones who have shared stories with others; those who are able to negotiate their perspectives and are more ready to embrace others with differing views.

People I find who do really well are those who have learned to transcend self and to share a story with God; those who are able to embrace the story of the divine in humanity; those who allow the story of Jesus to touch their brokenness; those who allow Jesus to retell the story of their lives.

“Because you are precious in My eyes and honoured, and I love you, I give people in return for you and nations in exchange for your life.”
– Isaiah 43:4

Invite Jesus to those early painful memories in your life. Be honest with Him. Ask Him how He was there with you, loving you and bearing your pain. Allow His story of you to reflect the truth about Him and the truth about you.