(Be blessed by this post by guest contributor Lance Wallnau…it dovetails nicely with yesterday‘s DWOD on The Power of a Story)

Your story is more powerful than you know.

I‘m studying Pixar and thinking of you and me. Here are two Pixar Formulas.

1. Once upon a time there was ___.

Every day, ___.

One day ___.

Because of that, ___.

Because of that, ___.

Until finally ___.

2. Give your character a “worthy opponent“ and make this opposition force a cause for transformation in your character so that they access something and become something superior to who they were prior to encountering opposition.

Don‘t ever HIDE or cover up your story, it has power to inspire others. The “blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony“ (Revelation 12:11) refers to the power of God to redeem you out of a challenge. It‘s how you overcome the devil.

So what story are you rehearsing to yourself?

The older I get the more I believe that all humankind has common struggles, private doubts and wounds. The people who can tell their story–their testimony–about a chapter of life with courage and grace create a safe place for others to exist. Your story empowers others to come to terms with their own story.

When you “own“ your story in a healthy and redemptive way, you give others permission to be “real.“ You create a space where people can be free to drop their masks and share without inhibition their real thoughts and feelings. It‘s like you fill the atmosphere with the oxygen of self-acceptance when you can tell your story without shame.

Believers have a challenge in this regard. We live in an age of increasing lawlessness, so the last thing we want to do is to tell our story in a way that indicates that actions do not have consequences.

On the other hand, the only kind of atmosphere in which Jesus will really show up is one where disciples are practicing unpretentious unconditional acceptance toward each other.

It is not easy to explain…all I know is that the more you are free from the shame of the past, the more powerful you are. By power I mean self-possession. You are less fearful of what people think. You own all the parts of your life–even the screw ups–but none of them owns you!

I guess I love people who are successful and who, under the right circumstances are honest about their weaknesses, and the mistakes that made them who they are now. Such people inspire me.

Share your story, struggles and all…and you too will inspire others!

(Dr. Lance Wallnau is a world-class trainer and consultant whose students span the globe. From bestselling authors, pastors, and billion dollar CEO‘s, he has helped to transform the lives of thousands. Please check out his resources at www.lancelearning.com)