When is it appropriate to share your story verbally?
The following information pertains to sharing your story with another in order to provide comfort to them. If you are still in the healing stage of your experience, sharing your thoughts and feelings with another stable individual is highly encouraged as this aids in the healing process.
Once you are on the “other side” of your trial, you have to choose the right time, if at all, to share your personal story. When working with a hurting person It is appropriate to share your story after you have listened to them, asked questions and perhaps prayed. It is only appropriate if it will benefit the other person.( It is never appropriate to share your story for the sheer fact of recounting the experience to benefit yourself). You have to be careful about that. If you haven’t done serious soul searching within yourself you may be tempted to share your experience because it still hurts and it benefits you to talk about it. Remember as a Personal Encourager you are there to comfort the other person, not the other way around.