Stories that differ from our own experiences can be used to encourage us and strengthen our faith. Consider the stories of Hebrews 11. The author of Hebrews begins this chapter by saying, "1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation." Then he goes into briefly describing the experiences of the OT heroes of the faith: Cain, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Moses, Joseph, Rehab, etc. He even describes those who refused to give up their faith and as a result had horrific things done to them. He then ends the chapter by saying, "39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
These heroes of the faith demonstrated such great faith, yet never fully saw their hope realized—they never saw the coming Messiah. Them maintaining their faith without ever seeing their hope fully realized is an example for the readers of Hebrews to persevere in the faith despite their current hardship and struggle with sin.
Hebrews 12:1–2 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
As verse 2 notes we must ultimately look to Jesus, remembering his story of persecution, shame, then glory.
These are the stories that solidify our faith. These are the stories that give us hope. These are the stories that encourage us to persevere and continue in the faith through even the greatest persecutions and struggles with sin and evil.
It is through these stories that we realize our faith and our hope are not in blind chance, or things just working out, or in an idea, or a government system, or even in humanity at large. Our faith and hope are firmly established in God himself and he is faithful. His faithfulness has been evidenced time and time again throughout history and even today.
We must tell these stories, and we must hear these stories.