Kingdomwood Women In Films Picnic Series Returns With Author Debra Winans

Kingdomwood Women In Films is kicking off the summer and the festival season by returning with their KWIF Celebrity Picnic Series. The first picnic back, will take place at 11 am ET Saturday June 4, 2022 in Smyrna, Georgia. 

Dr. Debra Winans, a well known Media CEO and Celebrated Author will be a Special Guest at the picnic, in addition to more from the Atlanta Film and Entertainment Industry. Other guests will include Audrey Littleton, the Founder of KWIF, Filmmaker and Acting Coach Ashley Johnson, along with key members of KWIF.

Kingdomwood Women In Films, a worldwide network, based in Georgia is an organization partnered with Kingdomwood Film Festival, a festival that promotes family-friendly teachings and values following the Gospel. 

The Festival is hosted in October every year and has welcomed several famed, Award-winning and notable celebrities. 

The Celebrity Picnic Basket series takes place each month to cultivate growth, community, and assistance among women in the Film and Media Industry.

Each attendee of the picnic is encouraged to prepare a unique picnic basket that suits them and their taste as they participate. The compilation and individuality of the baskets warrant special prizes from the KWIF Community.

For more information on attending Kingdomwood Women In Films Celebrity Picnic Basket series and to learn more about how to join visit: https://kingdomwood.com/kwif-2/

Registration, in addition to submissions for Kingdomwood Film Festival are currently open. Visit their official website Kingdomwood.com for more details.

The Inseparable Women's Gathering Information Guide

The Inseparable Women's Gathering is happening June 25-26, 2020. Due to COVID-19 Pandemic the event will be virtual. Each attendee will receive their own confirmation details to login to the virtual gathering upon registration.

The Gathering is presented by Glory Flow Movement and will include several women who are making an influence and impact in their field. The event will be hosted by Denise Williams the founder of Glory Flow Movement. 

Special Guests and Speakers will include: 

Cynthia Jackson
Recording Artist Krystal A. Livingston, 
Dodi Whitley
Kylie Ross
Denise Carter
Olivia Tucker
Psalmist Sharon Jones
Dance Minstrel Tiffany Moore
Media Correspondent April D. Byrd
and more.

The Inseparable Women's Gathering will be an EXCITING, power packed virtual experience! Women from around the world will gather! The experience will include amazing sessions, unfiltered panel discussion and Q&A, powerful worship & word! General Access to the gathering includes a Special 2 for 1 value, registrants can also upgrade the experience with a RED VIP Pass Registration that includes added benefits. 

Glory Flow Movement will be hosting a series of Interviews via their official Facebook page throughout the week to Kickoff the Gathering day and Breath Of Life Daily will be hosting an official 'Count Down To Inseparable' Series via Instagram LIVE featuring Interviews with Special Guests of the Gathering.

Monday June 22,2020 
Instagram LIVE 7PM EST How Prayer Keeps Us Inseparable with April D. Byrd (@BOLDJournal)
Facebook LIVE 8PM EST Featuring Sharon Jones and Tiffany Moore (Glory Flow Movement)

Tuesday June 23,2020
Instagram LIVE 4PM EST Special Guest Kylie Ross (@BOLDJournal)
Facebook LIVE 8PM EST Featuring Denise Carter (Glory Flow Movement)

Wednesday June 24,2020
Instagram LIVE 2PM EST Host Of Inseparable Denise Williams (@BOLDJournal)
Facebook LIVE  6PM EST Featuring Cynthia Jackson and Dodi Whitley (Glory Flow Movement)

Tune in to Instagram @BOLDJournal to catch the Countdown Interview Broadcasts.

The Full Schedule and details for the Inseparable Women's Gathering can be found on it's Official Event Page Here and at www.gloryflow.global

Get Your Mind Right, Stop Living Backward

Did you realize that live spelled backward was evil?? Do you think that is just some ironic coincidence, or was God purposely showing us something here? There is a danger in living life in a "backwards" state of mind. When I think of a backward state of mind I think of anything that holds us back from moving forward in our lives. Such things as regret, fear, timidness, anger, unhealthy relationships, and negativity produces a dark overcast in our lives. 

With these characteristics running amidst in our lives, how will we ever get a hold of purpose and vision? Its these types of characteristics that block creativity, value, morals, gifts, and strengths. It is these characteristics that lead us to life full of unsatisfaction, hurt, and guilt; while leaving us in a redundant cycle of feeling like the walking dead.

If we as people who aspire to see positivity, and move out of a cycle that is only producing death in our lives; we have to fully acknowledge our current state, and identify the necessity of "Getting Our Mind Right". Some people grow so accustomed to the darkness and negative aspects in there lives, they no longer notice its effects.

For instance, some people have a huge fear of talking to people for the simple fact they think they may be judged or rejected. Because of this thought process, their visions they may have once had, has become so suppressed they no longer recognize they had a brilliant idea until they see someone else has taken opportunity and ran with it.

As they look at what someone else has established, the only thing they can say is, "That was my idea" and think to themselves, "That could have been me". Well, what can you do? Your idea stayed "your idea" because you were too afraid to bring your idea to others.

In that fear, what actually happened was the vision was put aside so much that it remained aside, and has now resurfaced because you have gotten a visual of what could have been. Who likes to continually see their "What Could Have Been" consistently manifest itself in someone else? Well if we do not acknowledge our limitations and confront them, then we absorb them.

In absorbing them, we turn into our own worst enemy, focusing on them instead of clarifying and building our dreams. Instead of living our progressive abundant life intended for us by God, we regress into that evil state of mind presented by the enemy in backward living. The word of God said, "The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy". Internalize this verse by identifying what areas of your life are affected.

What area's of your life are being destroyed? What areas of your life are being stolen from you right in front of your face? What are the things you are holding onto that is killing you?

Now that we have taken time to identify these ares of death that are not producing areas of progressive growth, whats next? Well now this is where the real work begins. Remember that goal I spoke of earlier that was suppressed until a visual appeared in my example? Well that is because visuals produce clarity.

Start by writhing down what your life restored looks like to you. Imagine the things that are being stolen from you were never taken in the first place. What would you see? What would you hear? Identify how you would feel if something you held onto for so long that has tormented you, suddenly disappeared. How would you be different?

If we are going to be people full of goals and aspirations that actually manifest themselves, we absolutely must be intentional about getting our mind in order and free from that backward evil living.

Deal Or No Deal

by: Chancee Christian

As-is defined: as it is; its present state or condition, in the existing circumstances.

When cars have an ‘As Is’ sign on it, it’s an instant Buyer Beware, because getting into it you don’t know what the problems really are until you go forth with the deal…. they only tell you what they want you to know….. So then you gotta take it or leave it…. Deal or No Deal? Jesus said “DEAL” for ALL of us…..

Long before I got saved & before I knew Jesus as my personal Savior, I felt like I had to do Sooooo much in order for God to accept me, to bless me & even to hear His voice. I had a major fear of death because I knew in my heart, at that time of my life, I would be in hell if I died…..so I constantly repented, not truly understanding what repentance was (stop & turn away from)…….

Come as you are

So many people out there feel the same way I felt about God’s Acceptance! I’m so glad God placed me here to call the devil out on his lie & to tell you God wants you ‘As Is’!!! He wants the crazy you, the high you, the drunk you, the hurting you, the crying you, the doubtful you, the you that no one ever sees, the one that cries at night, the you that’s stressed out, GOD WANTS YOU!!!! ALL OF YOU!

But you MUST surrender, your will for God’s Will

You don’t have to hide certain things about yourself…..You don’t have to pretend with God….You don’t have to act like everything in your life is fine, if it’s not.  God is not like people,  repeat that, God is not like people! -Isaiah 55:8-9

In Psalms 139:7-10 it clearly states:” Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run from you? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I lie down in the grave, you are there. If I rise with the sun in the east and settle in the west beyond the sea, even there you would guide me. With your right hand you would hold me.”

So instead if trying to run and hide, ducking and dodging God, we should make Him our hiding place, our place of peace, our mini vacation not only in times of trouble but always;

Psalms 32:7 “You are my hiding place. You protect me from my troubles and fill me with songs of salvation.” It's time to come to the realization that God loves you….that won’t change, God wants you the way that you are, not all jazzed up and without flaws because remember Jesus died for sinners not for the people who think they have it all “together”……

This how we know it’s REAL….. In Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

While we are/were still messed up, ugly, evil, sinful, hateful, doubtful, low down, crazy, drunk, high, hurt & fake! He still died!!!! Thank you Jesus!

God wants YOU…..“AS IS-NO WARRANTY”

The Virgin Theory: They Do Exist

by: Rowzina Middleton

I am still a virgin. Yes I know. Shocking isn’t it???    

I am 29 years old and I am a virgin. And I am proud of it. I have not voluntarily given myself away to anyone. My morals and values would not allow me to go all the way with anyone. My first kiss wasn't even until High School, when at least half of the people my age at the time, had kissed someone by like, age 10. I made up in my mind and was convinced in my heart that my virginity was something special. And I was not freely giving it up to just anyone. I knew then, like I still believe now, that one day I will get married. I was always taught that sex was for married people. Once married, it is then biblically legal to “go all the way.” No guy I have come across deserved my time let alone, my essence.

So I chose to wait. I still choose to wait. Or perhaps, it was the conversation my Dad decided to have with me after finding out I had reached puberty. I can laugh now. my Daddy was trying to scare me. Little did He know, the Public schools had already started teaching Sex Education and I knew a lot more than I led on. (But that is another blog for another time.)  

Some people are shocked when I say I am a virgin. Others think something is wrong with me, I don’t like men or I’m just plain crazy. Simply put, I am just a lady who honors her morals and values. I am proud to be a virgin.

My virginity is priceless and will be given away by choice to that special individual that God has assigned to me just for me. Keeping myself is a choice. I do my best to honor God with my whole life, not just bits and pieces. So I will wait to utilize sex in the context that it was created for.

While I wait for my spouse. I will continue to work on bettering myself. I am a Proverbs 31 woman. I am happy with my decision to wait.  

So yes. Adult virgins past the age of 25 do exist. Media nor society influenced my choice. In learning to love myself, I have learned my worth. Being with just anyone is not an option for me. Being a virgin is  great. It is a wonderful thing. Do not get me wrong. It has not been easy. But I manage.  

There are many meanings to the word virgin. I consider myself to be a virgin because I have not voluntarily given myself away to anyone. I have never had sex. I am holding on to this gift until it is time to release it.

What is your definition of a virgin?
Can’t wait to hear from you.  

Rowzina
(Lady Unstoppable)
#proudvirgin  

The original post for this blog can be found kingdommotivation.wordpress.com. Follow Rowzina on instagram @kingdom_motivation and on Twitter @motivator_row.

Broken Crayons Still Color

by: Ruthann McKenzie

Have you ever witnessed young children coloring? At some point, the inevitable will happen where a crayon will break. For some small children it is heart breaking if it is there favorite color. Nonetheless, you will never see a young child stop coloring forever because one crayon broke. They may fuss, but if it is their favorite crayon they'll continue to use that crayon.

I love the analogy of the broken crayon still coloring. When we get older we begin to lose our ability to dream and life begins to break us down, year after year. Eventually we begin to forget we are beautiful and created to shine. We can still be used for remarkable things when we yield to our Creator who can restore us to fullness. It does not matter how we became broken beings, we can still be used for greatness.

In Psalm 51, King David is writing of his brokenness. At this time, he had sinned and felt the remorse of his actions and was broken hearted for his actions. Even in his brokenness, he knew that God could restore him when he repented and sacrificed his broken heart to Christ. King David knew that his broken and contrite heart could draw him closer to the Lord instead of driving him further away. The sacrifices of God can be our broken spirit and through the broken pieces light can shine through.

Today, in this moment, your future is brighter. Your broken pieces can be used for more than regret and shame, but instead to inspire and uplift another soul. Brokenness brings us closer to Christ. At the valley, the lowest point, the Lord restores when you hand those broken pieces to Him. If you don't believe this, perhaps in time you will, but know broken crayons still color.

How I Found The Strength To Stay Pure For God

by April D. Byrd

I am on a fast (fruits, vegetables,water, etc.) and I wanted to add a little brown sugar to my sweet potato. I'm trying to do the whole completely pure and natural thing, but I was very tempted to add that brown sugar...just a little bit.

Thankfully I was able to resist. If i would have added just a little then, it would be ok to add just a little later and that would determine the course of my fast, I'll start to be ok with the "little things" then they will come more and more, and eventually evolve into big things. I thought about the verse: just a little just a little leaven leavens the whole lump, or in other words just a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. When we make it ok to do the small things it becomes common place for us to continue to do them and the next thing you know we're doing much more than we expected. Because we made a small thing ok, we'll be cool with continually doing it. I've learned it's not good to play on the edge.

I came across one explanation for this scripture online that said:

“Leaven” is used in the Bible to denote sin or corruption. Jesus Christ told his disciples: “Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” and, “Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” The apostle Paul employed the same symbolism when he commanded the Christian congregation in Corinth to expel an immoral man from the congregation, stating: “Do you not know that a little leaven ferments the whole lump? Clear away the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, according as you are free from ferment. For, indeed, Christ our passover has been sacrificed.” He then clearly showed what he meant by “leaven”: “Consequently let us keep the festival, not with old leaven, neither with leaven of badness and wickedness, but with unfermented cakes of sincerity and truth.” (1Co 5:6-8)

That last scripture got me and rung a bell in my head "Cakes of sincerity and truth" This can be used in the case of purity as well, just like abstaining from delicacies in my time of "dedication". Cake is sometimes used as a slang term for women's body parts. For a young lady to take the purity of her body seriously is a blessing through God. The scripture talks about Cakes of sincerity and truth.

As a young lady, seeking sincerity and truth, being whole and pure before God is amazing. It doesn't matter what you've done, because being dedicated first starts in our spirit. When we seek to have a pure, clean, undefiled spirit the rest follows, including the flesh.  Even though we read the lament that "all of our righteousness is as filthy rags before God", it's His grace that makes us clean and white as snow. Its up to us to accept His love and dedicate every aspect of our lives to him, including our bodies. When we allow a little bit of sin in, it can ruin everything. There are ways I've found that tend to work for me:

• Remember a key goal you have in mind, and reference from there. When something pops up you can challenge it because you know what you wish to accomplish through your dedication. (ex: For God to bless your business, heal your body, etc.) People who have a clear goal in mind usually succeed. (Matthew 21:21-22)
• Run and pray!! seriously. the bible says flee from sin. When you see it coming run the other way. When something is happening to me and I run to talk to God about before anything. I usually find healing, solace, and comfort. (Psalm 91:2)
• Have an accountability partner. This should be someone you're comfortable to pray with. Pray with them regularly. Help give each other strength. It's very good to know someone is supporting you and you have someone praying with you, for you, and vice versa. (Matthew 18:20)

Whether it's through fasting, abstinence or simply honoring God in our everyday lives dedication and commitment is key. Within the time of this fast I was able to attend a purity ceremony in Birmingham and made the commitment to honor God with my life, It was an amazing experience. I feel so blessed. God rewards us for our faithfulness. When we're faithful to God, He is faithful to us and then some. Though His grace exceeds our actions, God set up a life of righteousness and abundances as a reward for us. When we aspire towards a life of sincerity and truth, God's blessings are what we reap. Purity is walking in truth, and truth is the foundation for everything good. Be encouraged to honor God and continue walking in a life of abundance.

8 Lessons I Learned From Volunteering At A Homeless Shelter

by: Ruthann Mckenzie

Six months ago, I felt strongly compelled to help volunteer and teach at the homeless shelter. I figured that there may be something within me to help teach others through my life stories. Well, six months later and I realized I relate quite a bit to those I have the pleasure of teaching. However, instead of it being lessons I teach from the bible, the life stories I hear from others share Christ to my heart. 

I wanted to share some of the lessons I have learned so far. What teaching at the homeless shelter has taught me so far is...

Ministering by feeding the homeless

• Preach to a world that is dying. Yes it is important to go to church and hear the word and study for yourself. Yet, if we sit in the pews week after week, then we will miss effective opportunities to spread the word. 
• The love of Christ needs to be shared. If you have hope, then share that hope with others who may not have experienced it before. 
• We all go through hardships, but you can always bless someone else. Hearing a story from a homeless individual who was blessed with a gift card and bought food was nice, but hearing him share that blessing with someone else he didn't know was amazing. He was selfless when he was also in need. It doesn't matter what situation you are in, you can always afford to help someone else.
• We are all gifted and have a purpose. You can find yourself in the service of others. It's a humbling, but rewarding experience to empower others to aspire for more again and use their giftedness.

• Jesus made friends with those we consider "outcasts". Perhaps He did so because those people were pretty cool and just needed someone to talk to and show them love. Jesus didn't look down on people in pity, but he was compassionate and through his love showed others the way up. By being more Christ-like,  perhaps we can socialize with those we may consider "outcasts" to the world and share love.
• Get out of your comfort place. When I began speaking at the shelter I stuttered and cried my first teaching. I was so overwhelmed with speaking in front of others. It was uncomfortable to say the least. At the end, I spoke with the director and she commended me on my effort and told me next month would be better. I could not help but think, "next month? Did she not see me cry?" But next month was easier, and months later I can no longer use the excuse I do not know how to speak in front of others. Which brings me to my next point...
• God can use the least of us. You do not have to be highly educated or rich in much. All you need to do to help others is be willing. A willing heart will take you far. People appreciate authenticity and realness over pretentious fluff of those who think they are better than everyone else. We all are broken vessels, but we can all be used. 
• If you want a change in the world, be the change. Stop complaining of how bad things are and actually make a difference in some way. You were not just placed on this earth to acquire things, be filled with self, worship for your own gain, or mope about how bad things are. No you and I were placed here with a purpose to worship Christ and love. We can display the love of Christ by helping those in need.

The smallest step in the right direction is significant to the kingdom. You don't have to know the most or be the best, but a willing heart is all you need. I trust that when you yield to service of others you may discover more about yourself than ever before. Be the change you wish to see and dare to make a difference!



Ruthann McKenzie is the creator of justbeconfident.com where she blogs and coaches others to be confident and live victoriously. Follow her updates on Facebook and Instagram:@theconfidentyou 

Omitting: The Truth

by: Chancee Christian

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” ~John 4:24

Worship: to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power 2 : to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion

So, most of us already know how to worship God..... & we all have different ways that we worship, some lift their hands, some shout, some cry, some just bow or kneel to show great honor or respect for God!

I, personally, worship God in three of those ways. However, I've come to realize that worshipping God is one of the easy parts of walking with Him.....once we learn who God is through a real relationship & learn to love God for who He is...... Worship is easy.....but that's only half of it.....

Truth: sincerity in action, character, and utterance

The other half of our lives with God and how we worship Him, is truth!!

Is it possible to only be a halfway worshiper?

YES!

How so?
We can use are lips to pray, love on & praise God & also curse His own children.....

James 3:9 "We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people, whom God made like himself."

How so?
We will lift our hands in Worship to God & use those same hands to flip others off, to place them on others in physical abuse or touch others in places that are only supposed to be for our spouses......

Truth (the Word of God) tells us in Matthew 22:39 to ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’

How so?
We will shout, some in tongues, many blessings to the Lord our God in Worship but also shout at drivers on the road, shout disrespectful words at our children, spouses, employees and employers.....

James 3:10 Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers and sisters, this should not happen.

How so? We can love God, serve Him, follow some of His commandments because we don't want to admit we are out of order or out of God's Will, so we continue to live in sin because the World accepts you living with the man or woman you're not married to.....the World accepts you being in a marriage or relationship with the same sex...... because the World accepts you not forgiving those who hurt you, did you wrong so therefore you live in bitterness & resentment......

The World accepts so many of the things God doesn't accept in His Kingdom!!!!

So instead of living to please the God you Worship in Spirit.....

We begin to conform to the World

In Spirit we Love & Worship God.....but when it comes to "truth"......

I challenge you today, to STOP being a halfway worshiper, but to begin to WORSHIP God in Spirit and Truth!

Will it happen overnight? Nah
Can you do it? Yes
Will it always be easy? NO
Are you a conqueror? Yep!

But you aren't alone......

Love you ALL!!!!

-Chancee Christian is the founder of Daughters Of A King Ministries.

"He's Worth The Wait" Book Giveaway Winner Announcement

Congratulations to everyone who entered the "He's Worth The Wait" personalized book giveaway sponsored by BOLD Journal!! 

Even if you didn't win, It's still a great book to invest in if you're serious about honoring God in every aspect of your life, especially concerning abstinence and sex. Fanny provides an experienced and educated voice on girls and women being committed to honoring God with their bodies. He's Worth The Wait can be purchased here on Amazon. "He's Worth The Wait" T-shirts are also available by contacting Fanny Quioto via email or online.

This book is important because often people spend a lot of time looking for things outside of us to fulfill us, to make us whole. However there is so much satisfaction when we come to realize that our fulfillment is in God's will for our lives. It's a tool to help individuals speak over and wait for God's best, as He always has our best in mind.

Breath Of Life Daily will continue hosting giveaways for the entire month. Subscribe to Breath Of Life Daily for the latest giveaways and inspirational updates.

The official winner is announced in the video below: 

Congrats!! please e-mail boldimpactnetwork@gmail.com to claim your signed copy of "He's Worth The Wait" within five days. Thanks to everyone who participated. More giveaways to come.

Subscribe to BOLDJournal for the latest updates.

#Rescue2Restore: An Evening Of Music Event

From $150 to Priceless…

I know a young woman who once believed her value was $150. That’s the amount of money she was paid for 30 minutes of ‘work’. Let’s be clear. She didn’t get to keep the money; she had to give it to her pimp. You see, she was caught in the underground sex trafficking trade. At the time, she was 14 years old.

You may wonder how this sort of thing happens – right here in the U.S. of A. Girls are being approached near schools, at the mall, on social media, in neighborhoods and social circles by predators seeking to build their ‘business’. The story often begins with a cute guy in a smooth ride approaching a pretty girl promising a good time, gifts, freedom, and love. The promises turn out to be nothing but abuse and exploitation.

Often, human trafficking is seen as limited to foreign countries; but it’s a growing epidemic in the United States. You may think it’s not your problem; however, what affects one directly affects another indirectly. You may think that it’s on the ‘other’ side of town; but girls are being lured into the dark underworld of sex trafficking in broad daylight all over town. Pretending the problem doesn’t affect you is short-sided. It can trickle into your neighborhood without the slightest warning. The young woman in this story was able to break free and is now ten years removed. Her passion is to help other girls caught in the trade. She declares, “I used to think my worth was $150; now I know I’m priceless.”

A report, conducted by The Urban Institute for the U.S. Justice Department, looked at the underground commercial sex economy (UCSE) in eight major U.S. – Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, San Diego, and Washington, DC. They aimed to uncover its magnitude. In their findings, Atlanta was ranked the top city with a $300 million sex trafficking economy. Let’s put it in perspective: that’s more than Atlanta’s illegal drug and gun trade combined. Further, they found on average pimps in Atlanta make $32,833 in cash per week and the average age of girls used in the sex trade is 14.

You can help stop sex trafficking by joining others in the fight. Plan to attend Rescue 2 Restore: An Evening of Music. Grammy, Stellar and Dove award-winning artists Daniel Winans (of the legendary Winans family, singer-songwriter, producer) Billy Dorsey (Outreach Pastor at Lakewood, singer-songwriter, producer with notable recording artists, including Lecrae, 2 Chainz, Pretty Ricky and Day 26); Deborah Hightower (worship leader, singer-songwriter, author); and Dr. David Cooper (Senior Pastor of Mount Paran Church) with Open Door Band will grace the stage in Atlanta on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at Mount Paran Church of God to raise awareness and benefit Wellspring Living (www.wellspringliving.org). Wellspring is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to confront the issue of sexual abuse and exploitation.

How To Find Purpose Over Heartache and Pain

 Sometimes our pain and hurt can seem as if it too much to handle. Life can seem so unfair, hurtful, and down right miserable. When we think of all the trails and tribulations that seem to plague our lives, it is no wonder why sometimes all we can do is cry.

Last week I found myself in a very low place-mentally, financially, and physically. What made it even worst was that I was in an environment that only seemed to enhance what I was feeling. In my self misery, I begin to think of all the trails I endured throughout my life, and how despite all of it I have never given up. I always had a positive attitude, I always set goals for myself and achieve them, I trust God when I don't feel like he is here, and I am a genuinely good person. Yet still, it seems like I cannot catch a break.

A few of the obstacles I faced last week included I have no money, my car broke down, I had to stay somewhere that just made me utterly uncomfortable, I started a job that depresses me so bad, and worst of all I was really missing the one person in the whole world that really brightens my day- my daughter. Then different scenarios from past began to replay in my heard, and in combined with all that I was currently feeling, I broke down. I began to sob, and I ask God why cant you be God and make everything better? Why can't you provide the opportunities for me that I deserve. I began to to run down my list of accomplishments, all the good I do, and the pain that I endured throughout life to God (as if he did not already know).  I was upset with God, I was mad. Then after a while, as I began to calm down God started to speak to my spirit. He said:  " Listen, It is Not in vain."

I began to feel a shift in my atmosphere, a purging in my spirit, and a peace that said "Hold on".

As I sat in stillness just to vibe in  my spirit for a little while, I begin to hear from God that my testimony is going to be so great. I began to see in my spirit how what I have endured will break chains for people, and how free they will become free because of what I have experienced.

     It was at that moment, I realized that it was my carnality, my pride, my flesh that made me think that I was entitled to something from God because I deemed myself Good. I deemed myself worthy of what the world seeks it pleasures in. Just that quick I realized that my fulfillment and satisfaction in life was not what God had destined  for me, but what I destined for myself. That being said, if I chose to trust God, I trust his plans for my life. If he designed a plan for my life, whatever I encounter in this life has been cleared with God. Therefore who am I to say I did not need to encounter these trails and tribulations. There is a purpose for all that I have been through. Though I may not understand while I am going through, if I truly trust God I know my best interest is at hand.


These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. -1 Peter 1:7 NLT

So these trials, pain, tears, heartache are all lessons to show us what we need to learn.  I cannot say what each individual has to learn from their trails, but what I can say is that they purify us, and test us to show our strength and our faith. We all know there is no growth without pain and discomfort. In order to grow and mature, to experience greater, we sometimes have to know what it is like to experience less. Sometimes in order to get things right, we have to get them wrong.   The one thing we cannot do is give up on ourselves no matter how hard the obstacles are that we face. We have to keep striving. Nothing you go through is in vain. Eventually we will see that there was a purpose for it all. There is a purpose in your pain. Do not give up your fight.

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