Divine Purpose Magazine | Fall 2021 | 4th Quarter Issue

4TH QUARTER | FALL | OCTOBER 2021

LLAH AINAUD

INSIDE THIS ISSUE FACE-TO-FACE WITH MATTERS OF THE HEART PRAYERS THAT HEAL THE HEART

BEGIN AGAIN WOMEN: TAKE BACK YOUR IDENTITY AFTER TRAUMA AUTHOR DONNA WAYLES SHARES HER EXPERIENCE ON OVERCOMING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PASTOR SHANNON FRASER ON THE PURPOSE IN YOUR PAIN VIDEO FEATURES INSIDE

LAUNCH OF THE "PATHS TO PURPOSE" VIDEO SERIES

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Issue no. 13 October 2021 Cover Design Divine Purpose Magazine Editorial Vicki L. Otaruyina Editor-In-Chief Kimone Mcloud Editorial Assistant

Contributors Kadeen Dobbs, Perita H. Adams, Halsey Placide, Nicola McKenzie-Clarke, Denielle Placide, Theresa Boedeker, Ann Davis, Duania Hall, Shanique Blake, Donna Wayles, Juanita Headley, Alison BrowneEllis, Aradhana Thakor, Shannon Fraser, Kimberly Morgan, Dr. Irene Surya, Krystle Nicole Martin, Veronica Sutherland, Dennis Allan Best, Latoya Small

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BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN YOU + YOUR GOD-GIVING PURPOSE

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The Editor's Note

WELCOME

Hey there DPM family!

I am happy that you chose to open this magazine. With everything that's happening around the world today, we can find ourselves in a place where we are battling so many different emotions in our hearts. How do we deal with the raging waves of the heart?

Proverbs 4: 23 tells us this: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

The instruction is for us to make sure that we guard our heart. But how do we do this?

We do so by allowing God to give us the protection strategy through His word. He is the only One who can help us protect our hearts so that the evil emotions and mindsets are no able to destroy us. We guard our hearts by allowing the word of God to be the compass which guides us in situations that would want to lead us to anger, resentment, jealousy, envy, lack of hope, despair and to so many other dark places. The word will guide us to a peaceful place when life seems hard and when our hearts become broken.

Everything we do, think, say and feel originates from our heart so guarding the heart is all about keeping our heart pure so whatever we do would represent a the purity of God. This new issue is designed to give you the strength, motivation, encouragement and prayers so that you can continue to allow God to help you when times get rough. May you be led to your most peaceful place as you read!

01| DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE

Vicki L. Otaruyina

FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Subscribe To The Mag Click here

what's

inside 01 The Editor's Note 06 Contributors 08 God Looks At The Matter Of The Heart 12 Why You Must Guard Your Heart 14 Is Your Heart Troubled?

20 Overcome Anxiety 22 Keep Your Heart Pure 27 My Heart Is Breaking 31 6 Things To Do When Life Is Not Fair 34 The Beauty of Brokenness

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38

SHANIQUE BLAKE Chaste Style

56

DUANIA HALL BEGIN AGAIN - Women: Take Back Your Identity After Trauma

DONNA WAYLES Conversations With An Overcomer

68 61 Miracle-Working Power 64 Fulfilment Over Success: The Key To Living In Purpose 66 Building Healthy Relationships With Your In-Laws 75 Protect Your Heart Against Bitterness

78 Author Features of: Aradhana Thakor Naomie Praise Kabasele Akilah Holder 81 In The Kingdom Poetry Corner featuring: Dr. Irene Surya Krystle Nicole Martin Veronica Sutherland Dennis Allan Best Latoya Small PASTOR SHANNON FRASER The Purpose In Your Pain WWW.DIVINEPURPOSEMAGAZINE.COM | #DPURPOSEMAG

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Reminder Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)

CONTRIBUTORS Kadeen Dobbs Kadeen Dobbs’ innate passion to write stems from a love of the Godhead. She is a teacher that has taught varying age groups across the educational spectrum and in different countries from kindergarteners to adults. Kadeen is also a blogger. Her blogs explore and discuss a plethora of topics from a spiritual perspective, through the lens of her experiences.

Her intrinsic desire for imparting knowledge has transcended beyond the classroom, and has prompted her to write two books. Her first book is titled, Men and Women of God Arise in The Workplace and Conquer! How To Navigate The Seas of Jealousy, Envy and Sabotage and her second, 21 Powerful and Practical Things To Do While Waiting To Be Wed. Website: http://kadeendobbs.wixsite.com/soaringtomyne wbeginn

Duania Hall Duania is a motivational speaker and best-selling author who inspires women to begin again after trauma, maximizing their lives through self-care.

A background in social work, community relations, and surviving multiple traumas equips her to educate nonprofit and faithbased organizations on ways to better serve survivors in their communities. Duania uses her platform to increase awareness about the crossover effects of domestic violence and other trauma. Her mission is to hep improve the quality of life for survivors around the globe and motivate women to love a WHOLE, blessed life.

Website: www.duaniahall.com

Denielle Placide Denielle Placide is a minister of religion and considers herself a servant leader. She often referred to as #PricelessWoman thus being a voice for Women Empowerment. Denielle shares ministry with her lifelong best friend and husband of 21 years in the capacity of owner and counsellor at Safe Place Family Life Centre Ltd.

She is also the Founder of The Priceless Foundation for Women a non-profit organization helping girls and women break personal limitations of vulnerability, uncertainty, and failures to achieve increased capacity for resilience and embrace a life of Dignity, Responsibility, and Spirituality.

Website: https://thepricelessfoundationforwomen.wo rdpress.com/

Shanique Blake Shanique Blake is a Christian Style Coach who studied at the London College of Fashion and also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

She is constantly asked "where do you find the time to sew so much?" to which she replies "I want to have a large family so I'm practicing sewing for them, none of them will wear any foreign brands " Her company Venque Style Consultancy has a growing list of clients which includes Doctors, Investment Bankers and other professionals. Currently she is working on her own clothing collection which she hopes to launch soon.

Website: www.venqueconsult.com

Danielle Porter, MPH A big mouth, Jesus loving, cupcake and kale eating, nutrition counselor, Danielle Porter, MPH shares her passion for helping other women come to see that their physical health journey is inseparable from their spiritual walk with Christ. As a world traveling Army wife and mother of 2, Danielle can often be found not trying to lose her everloving mind because she overcommitted herself in obedience to the Lord. She has helped hundreds of women reclaim their bodies in service to Christ.

Website: www.DaniellemPorter.com

Donna Wayles Donna Wayles is a Christian wife, mom, teacher, and domestic abuse survivor.

She now lives in Rhode Island with her four spoiled bunnies, Skittles the cat, her amazing husband, and daughter. When not writing bestselling novels, Donna likes to create scrapbooks full of happy memories.

Website: www.authordwayles.org

Theresa Boedeker Theresa Boedeker is a storyteller, humor hunter, and encourager of others. It is hard for her to cook if her kitchen is dirty. When clean, she likes to bake scones, make pies, and try new recipes.

She unwraps life and faith at TheresaBoedeker.com and reminds you what's important abo:ut life, yourself, and grace.

Website: www.TheresaBoedeker.com

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CONTRIBUTORS Perita H. Adams Perita H. Adams is a Certified Christian Lifestyle & Business Success Coach. She holds an Associate Degree in International Business and a Bachelor Degree in Organizational Communication. As the owner of “The GeneSIS Beginning Coaching & Consulting LLC” she inspires, educates, and motivates women to be their best selves.

Website: www.thegenesisbeginning.com

Nicola McKenzie-Clarke Nicola McKenzie-Clarke, LLB, is a knowledgeable, results-driven, dedicated professional with approximately twenty (20) years’ experience in Customer Service

and Human Resource Development. A strong reputation for working well and maintaining the highest standards of decision-making, integrity and accountability in challenging and deadline-oriented environments.

Distinguished by meticulous record-keeping and an eye for detail. Multiple commendations received from colleagues and customers for the sincere respect with which service is delivered. A naturally gifted, participative leader and an exceptional communicator. A Licensed Minister of Religion with Certificates in Pastoral Counselling and Corporate Event Planning. A Certified Resilience and Life Coach who strives to develop people to be the best version of themselves.

Shannon Fraser Shannon Fraser is a 25 year old Christian woman on a mission from the island of Barbados. She is an ordained Pastor, mentor, speaker,

business woman, published author, mental health advocate, podcast host and the founder of Woman on a Mission Ministries.

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/marygrace0402

Halsey Placide Halsey Placide is a husband to my best friend Denielle Placide for 21 years and together they parent three teenagers. He is passionate about seeing lives transform and this has led to the birthing of Safe Place Family Life Enrichment Centre Ltd for counselling services. Halsey has over 20 years of experience working with adults, youths, and couples with a variety of different concerns such as: relationship issues, issues related to spirituality, religion, faith, and existence, and male sexual orientation challenges. His service to God has led him to be a Minister of Religion with the Open Bible Standard Churches T&T Inc and currently assigned as Region 1 National Youth Overcomers coordinator in Trinidad.

Website: www.safeplacefamilylife.com

Ann Davis Ann Davis is a Trinidadian, and an Associate Minister of the Open Bible Standard Churches of Trinidad and Tobago.

She works as a Counsellor with the Safe Place Family Life Enrichment Centre, is a Director of the Priceless Foundation for Women, and hosts a live Facebook program entitled This is Me.

Kimberly Morgan Kimberly Morgan is an anointed worship leader, songwriter and writer. She is a certified Event Planner by profession, a selfless

life coach and mentor by training, who enjoys serving God's people to come into the fullness or who they are and whose they are. Kimberly will be publishing her first devotional in 2021 and her book in 2022.

Instgram: www.instagram.com/kimberly _lives_on_purpose

Alison Browne-Ellis Alison Browne-Ellis is a Corporate Executive, Author, a Certified John Maxwell Team Coach and the Founder of Boss Ladies United.

Her passion for mentoring and coaching other career professionals helps her to live daily while remaining rooted in her God-given purpose.

Website: www.linktr.ee/alisonbrowneellis

Juanita Headley British born Juanita Headley is a devout Christian, pro-bono N.Y. attorney, and the Founder of Changing Cases. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she travels the world sharing her story through free presentations on human trafficking and the sale of her book, Can You Keep A Secret? Her antitrafficking work and heart for giving are the motivation behind her donating 70% of proceeds from the sale of her book to building safehouses in the Philippines. She has a decade long passion for opening bakeries that will hire the formerly incarcerated, and after her recent experience of false imprisonment, she now has a stronger desire to use her credentials as an attorney to work for the Innocence Project.

Website: www.changingcases.org

Aradhana Thakor Writing has always been Aradhana's passion since I was a kid. As an incredibly shy person, writing to herself is deeply satisfying and comforting as a way to

express herself.. When She is not writing, she love to immerse herself into a good book. Aradhana also loves to explore new places, cuisines and go on long walks with her husband. She is falling more and more in love each day with this writing ministry the Lord has called her to!

Website: Amazon Author Page

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GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART OF THE MATTER

BY PERITA H. ADAMS

Did you know that according to the British Health Foundation our heart pumps an estimated 100,000 times per day? That’s if your heart is healthy and strong. I bring this to your attention because it’s not only about the physical health of your heart that makes it last, but also the emotional and spiritual health of your heart that helps keep it strong and vibrant. So let me ask you, do you overwork your heart with stressful thoughts such as unforgiveness, worry, fearfulness, lack of selfesteem and more or do you put your trust in God the one who can cast all those cares away?.

Two of my favorite biblical verses are Proverbs 4:23, “ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life'' and Proverbs 3:5 which reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding”.

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God’s instruction for these verses seem pretty clear and easy. However, the problem is that sometimes we just read the scripture and oftentimes don’t apply these lessons to our lives.

You see life has a way of throwing some pretty difficult situations in our path which can wreak havoc on our emotions and our heart. With all this emotional baggage to carry here’s where we drop the ball with letting go and letting God. God realizes that life can get hard so He wrote an explicit instruction to trust him with all your heart!

Many of us just want to give God a little trust and expect big blessings. Well God doesn’t work like that. He’s checking to see if you completely trust Him to give it all to Him. Be diligent in knowing whatever you trust God with He’ll work that situation out. When we try to understand things that don’t add value to our life then we become overwhelmed, frustrated, weak and weary. God doesn’t get tired.

However, for some reason we hold on to that very thing that’s harming our heart instead of simply giving it to God. Even more, the funny thing is eventually we still have to give it to Him anyway.

Let’s be clear God doesn’t need our help. He wants to help us. Why? Because He already knows how we’re feeling. God’s work is specific. In 1 Samuel 16:7 in brief God mentions that many look at the outside appearance but He looks at the heart. There in the heart God has placed our very life source, our divine connection to Him which He looks at day and night. That intricate organ that beats nearly 100,000 times a day. It is there in the heart where God does some of His most amazing work if we allow him. You don’t know how many people that you and I are surrounded by daily, who look great on the outside, only to go home to a battlefield of depression, fear, lack of selfconfidence, loneliness etc.

As a Christian Coach I pray with my clients before each session because I know whatever is troubling my clients, God holds the key to their heart to unlock and free them from those strongholds.

"WHEN OUR SPIRITS ARE EDUCATED ON WHO WE ARE AND WHOSE WE ARE, THEN THE WORLD’S NEGATIVITY HAS TO WORK HARDER TO PENETRATE OUR HEARTS." So how do we change our lifestyle to match up with what God created it to be? In other words how do we experience a physical, emotional and spiritual heart healthy existence? Firstly, we take it step by step, day by day, inch by inch and mile by mile. Secondly, continuously read your bible and seek God in prayer, exercising our faith and trust in Him daily. When our spirits are educated on who we are and whose we are, then the world’s negativity has to work harder to penetrate our hearts. Thirdly, write down daily positive affirmations and biblical reflections to strengthen your heart against the woes of the world. Fourthly, learn to laugh more. Laughter boosts your immune system and suppresses stress hormones, try it and see how good you feel. Fifthly, nothing beats physical exercise which stimulates blood flow in the body and brings clean oxygen into your heart. Lastly, surround yourself with positive people who have your best interest at heart.

Remember, God takes pride in His creation. He knows every facet of how you and I can live life and live it more abundantly. In fact, God says to guard your heart. So be careful who you allow in your circle. Life is precious.

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19

Why You Must Guard Your Heart BY

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KADEEN

DOBBS

The heart is a majestic organ. When you assess the functions of the heart, one is most definitely inclined to see that its indisputable purpose is not just to spare you from physical death, but even more significantly spiritual death. One can be breathing, but is in fact actually dead. One can be conscious, but still be unconscious in the land of the living. One can be awake, but their subconscious has flatlined and they dither precariously on a tightrope without realizing that when they fall into death, life has really just begun and it was the condition of their heart that plunged them into utter darkness.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov 23:7 - NKJV). That's why it is so important to guard your heart as it relates to the kind of seeds you plant because the seeds will determine the type of roots, branches, leaves and even fruit which are produced; good or evil. Your heart’s condition is the precursor of your outward actions.

One of the functions of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. When an individual experiences a heart attack, death may occur due to a lack of oxygen to the brain, since the heart pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system, while supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. I am therefore led to ask this question: What kind of nutrients is your heart transmitting to your brain? Is your heart pumping blood of bitterness to your mind? Is it pumping blood of vengeance, hatred, doubt, insecurity, self-hate, envy, jealousy, malice, anger, greed, lust or is it pumping love, selfcontrol, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, forbearance and patience?

Remember, what you entertain in the heart becomes embedded in your thoughts and what you think is reflected in how you behave.

Your behaviors; how you see life, how you problem solve, how you treat others, how you love or hate, how you interact with others, your choice of friends, are ALL a reflection of your heart’s condition. How you choose to handle the matters and affairs of life, reflects your heart’s position, its caliber, as well as its competence to overcome and not become like the world we live in.

Our hearts are physically in the world but we have to work diligently, with deliberate industrious actions and preventive measures to protect it. We must work steadfastly to guard and therefore keep out the negativity that this world can thrust at us. If we don't do this, we will handle every situation negatively. The truth is, we can't guard our hearts without God’s divine help. It is impossible!

Prayers That Heal The Heart

TIME TO ASK GOD'S HELP IN GUARDING YOUR HEART Father, in the name of Jesus, I need the strength and ability to use Your word to guard my heart with all diligence. I thank You that with You all things are possible and that I can look to You a source of fortification for the heart. Lead me by Your spirit in Your word so that I can use the right scriptures in every situation which affects my heart negatively. Help me to be honest with myself and the issues that I am experiencing so that I can receive today healing. Thank You for giving me the right strategies and leading me down the path that will bring me to the place where out of my heart are actions and behaviors that will flow directly from Your spirit. Fill me with Your love and help me to respond with all purity from this day onward.

AMEN!

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To remain optimistic despite opposition, to love when all you have experienced is hate, to forgive when the offense stings, and to feel calm when anxiety threatens are all possible through a relationship with Christ and reading the word of God. A relationship with God offers clarity. You will begin to see others and the world through the lens of your Creator. Your heart’s posture becomes elevated and you see from a spiritual stand point and no longer just with the physical eye. You see the “issues of life” as just stages in your purpose that refines your spiritual man so that you can, with LOVE and power, do what God has called you to do on earth.

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One of the tactics the enemy uses to infiltrate our hearts is to keep our hearts preoccupied and distracted with” worldly issues”. However, one of our best defenses in keeping his devilish intentions out is to pursue God. Through your pursuit you find God’s purpose for your life. A heart fixed on God, understands that everything passes away, only God is permanent and He has equipped us to live victoriously in this life and the next.

Pray and fast to rid your heart of the “burdens” of life, and overcome what life throws at you, by laying on your heart God's truth, which is the word of God. Do not let negativity take root in your heart.

Is your heart troubled? Your solution can be found in the life and words of King David in Psalm 42:6 &11: Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you. I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again.." (NLT)

~ Halsey Placide

Is Your Heart Troubled?

By Halsey Placide

Have you ever wondered how is it that someone can be experiencing tremendous success and happiness and suddenly they are at wits' end with no strength, no vigor, or no fight? Maybe even wishing they could just vanish or die.

Every human being will have periods of discouragement in their lifetime and that includes every creed and race. No one is exempted. For the most part, we see and hear of many who lost hope because of this deadly evil.

Have you found yourself in a place like King David in Psalm 42:5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? In essence, David was having a matter of the heart that left him overwhelmed. More often than not, the answer is found in one word: DISCOURAGEMENT.

If we stay in the pool of discouragement, it can be harmful. Its sense of defeat and hopelessness can be destructive to every dimension of life.

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The Bible is filled with great leaders who experienced discouragement.

For example: Moses got discouraged and asked God to take his life - Numbers 11.

Job, in one day lost everything he owned and wished he had never been born - Job 10 -18 The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8 was overwhelmed by his trials in Asia and thought he would never live through it.

Is discouragement just about your mood? No, it is a state of mind that is destructive in nature, and it is one of the greatest tools the enemy uses to get into our hearts. When you are discouraged, your spirit is broken, and it seems like you are in a place of ashes.

Proverbs instructs us, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov 4:23).

If there is a problem in your heart, no matter how much good God tries to do for you, all you will see is problems. A key to victory in life is guarding our hearts.

What about you? Are you discouraged?

Are you facing trials on the Job, in a relationship, in ministry or because of the current global pandemic? Is your heart troubled?

Friends, there is only one thing that can heal your troubled heart or defeat discouragement and that is COURAGE! It should be noted, courage is not a supernatural event but rather a state of mind.

Biblical principles from the book of Joshua teaches us to BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS in the midst of difficult times.

Brene Brown states that Courage is a heart word, and the root of the word courage is cor which is the Latin word for heart. From the Hebrew perspective the meaning suggests courage to be steadfastly minded or to fortify your mental capacity.

Therefore, to climb out of the place of discouragement you must be infused with courage and your main source is wrapped up in the words of the Psalmist David “when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I “Psalm 61:2 (NKJV) Cont'd overleaf

Prayers That Heal The Heart

TIME TO RECEIVE JOY & PEACE OF THE LORD Father, in the name of Jesus allow Your peace to come upon me at this time in every area of my life. I want to climb to a place where I am filled with Your courage and the truth of your word. Turn every situation of discouragement and brokenness into joy. Allow you presence to be around me and every hard situation like never before. My desire is for every area of my life, including the emotions and actions of my heart, to be pleasing to You. Allow me to come out of every hard place with joy, gladness and a powerful testimony that will transform the world. Have your way in my life. In the name of Jesus.

AMEN!

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Principles To Defeat Discouragement Know who you are - Joshua 1:5 "No one will be able to stand against thee". Romans 8:1 "We are more than conquerors through him that loved us".

Know who is with you - Joshua 1: 6 "Be Strong and courageous for I am with you". Psalm 23:4 "Yea do I walk through the valley and the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me...."

Know who is in control - Joshua 1:2 "Moses my servant is dead, now therefore arise....".Joshua 1:5b "I was with Moses so I will be with you... I will never leave you nor forsake thee... " You must be willing to wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart."

You may be knocked down but not knocked out -. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. (2 Cor 4:8-9) Is your heart troubled? Your solution can be found in the life and words of King David in Psalm 42:6 &11 (NLT) Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you. I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again.

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podcast

feature

Your anxiety does not define you. It does not have to be the end of your story. "

OVERCOME ANXIETY

By Danielle Porter Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Phil 4: 6-7) 20| DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE

As I’m sitting here on a flight direct from Boston to Honolulu, 40,000 feet in the air, people marked with anxiety surround me. Anxiety is the number one mental health disorder of 2021 and if the population of this airplane is any indication, the stats are real. But humor me for a moment.

Does your worry and anxiousness help the plane fly straighter? Does it keep the plane from crashing? If the pilot heard that someone on board was anxious would that help him fly “better”? I realize these questions are silly, but truly the anxiousness produces nothing but more anxiety.

Our society has made an idol of anxiety. I’m not denying the chemical imbalance that occurs causing heart-racing panic attacks. But I am saying that we have a lot of power in controlling our anxiousness both with the physical world we live in, and the spiritual world we believe in.

The first step is deciding that anxiety has no power over you. This means you have to let go of it as a crutch. And trust me, I get gaggy even writing this because I know the backlash that will occur when the people I currently know read my beliefs and experiences in this subject. But the truth is just like any other story we’ve decided is our identity.

Anxiety provides “accidental benefits” we may actually enjoy a little too much.

Hear me out. When we break a leg and are given actual crutches from the hospital we have to rely on them to get around. But even those crutches produce some “accidental benefits.”

Things such as when people hold the door, carry your things, or are overly accommodating. I’m not saying you’d trade your mobility and independence for this permanently, but there is definitely a way to enjoy the benefits a little too much. Stay on the crutches when it’s convenient for you. But when no one is around you, exercise your independence. It’s the same when you cling to the identity of being broke. “Oh, I can’t go out.

I’m broke.” The accidental benefit? “Don’t worry friend, we’ve got your dinner tonight.”

Anxiety is no different. When we allow it to become our story, not just something we have (like any other disease or disorder) we receive the accidental benefits and sometimes enjoy them a little too much.

The thing is, though, that when the anxiety becomes your identity, you’ve made it an idol, and just like any other idol, God calls it sin.

Mark 4:18-19 shows us God wants his children marked by peace, and our constant idolatry of anxiousness is a bad testimony to God’s allpowerful nature.

I am in no way condemning anyone for having anxiety or battling anxious moments. But I do ask that you place this at the feet of Jesus and ask The Holy Spirit to convict you if needed.

So what do we do here? How do we battle making an idol of anxiety? Just as with everything else, Scripture is our guide. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us what to do, how to do it and what to expect. But it’s not enough just to read Scripture. It’s not a magic spell. It works just as well as reading a cookbook fills your belly. If anything, reading a cookbook can cause an even deeper hunger.

You’ve got to put Scripture into practice over and over in order to combat the lies of the enemy.

Your anxiety does not define you. It does not have to be the end of your story. You, with the power of the Holy Spirit living in you, have the power to banish it in the name of the Savior. And remember there is obviously medical causes for anxiety that need to be addressed with your doctor or a counseling professional.

Please don’t fear getting help. God gifted many professionals with tools that can help you. But just like with many other medical conditions there are lifestyle changes that can occur that will ease symptoms and aid in medical intervention.

For example, when there’s an event you don’t want to go to, a person you don’t want to be around, a meeting you can’t take, or using it as a reason for your tardiness.

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BY

NICOLA

MCKENZIE-CLARKE

KEEP YOUR HEART PURE

The Book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon and the main theme of the book is wisdom. Wisdom is not the same as education, cleverness or intellectual ability but rather it is us living a holy life while practicing piety, and adhering to the practice of the right religion.

In my opinion, to keep the heart, or to keep the soul, is to guard it against all eventualities.

CONT'D

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OVERLEAF

The word diligence is defined as: 1. Earnest and persistent application to an undertaking; steady effort; 2. Attentive care; heedfulness.

We must be consistent about keeping our hearts (and in the Bible, the word “heart” usually means our souls… that which makes us what we are under God’s control and guidance). We do that by constantly praying and seeking God’s guidance before each move we make.

He says that “out of it (our hearts/selves) spring the issues of life.

The heart is a mysterious spiritual reality that allows us to experience the fullness of life. It includes emotion, but the heart is not limited to emotion. Solomon provides us here with a command followed by his reasoning behind the command: Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

In order to understand this command, we must first know what the heart is. Biblically, the heart refers to far more than the primary muscle of our circulatory system; it is core of our identity. Who you are in your heart is who you really are. It represents the fundamental sense of you being you. According to Scripture, the heart can be grieved, troubled, broken, pierced, separated, and joyful.

In making the matters of the heart a priority we have to guard our heart to purity. We must strive for moral purity, protect our heart and pursue a Godly lifestyle.

Guarding your heart is more about feeding your soul than avoiding sin. When our heart is strong, we are able to resist the temptations that cause many saints to stumble. The book of Proverbs identifies some things to avoid, but it also contains numerous instructions to pursue wisdom, grace, discipline, and life.

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AVOID MORAL CORRUPTION, PERVERSE BEHAVIOR, AND EVIL ACTS THAT HARM OTHERS. IN GUARDING OUR HEARTS WE ALSO HAVE TO EXERCISE FAITH, CULTIVATE A WILLINGNESS TO FORGIVE, ABHOR MATERIALISM AND PRIDE." NICOLA

CONTINUE

READING

MCKENZIE-CLARKE

NICOLA'S

KEEP

YOUR

HEART

PURE"

OVERLEAF

Guarding your heart includes seeking God, and also minimizing the amount of garbage that we allow in our lives. The verses that follow the command to guard our heart describe putting away perverse speech, looking straight ahead, and choosing good paths. Avoid moral corruption, perverse behavior, and evil acts that harm others. In guarding our hearts we also have to exercise faith, cultivate a willingness to forgive, abhor materialism and pride. The apostle Paul gave Timothy a charge to purify himself so that he would be a "special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Tim. 2:24).

Truth, the acceptance it is essential in dealing with matters of the heart.

Note the instruction to "pay attention and listen closely" (Pro. 4:20). This emphasis to give careful attention to divine truth is followed by the promise of life and health. Jesus said the truth would set us free.

If our “hearts” are centered on God and His ways, then what springs out of our lives are fruits of the Spirit: gentleness, kindness, love, joy, peace, faithfulness, goodness, patience, and self-control, these “issues” are the ones we want. If our “hearts” are centered on our “lusts of the flesh”, then what will spring out of our lives are the many types of sin – Gal. 5:19-21 gives a list of many of the “lusts of the flesh,” while Gal. 5:22-23 lists the gifts of the Spirit.

The heart is the great reservoir of life. Everything we do is rooted in our heart. Our actions are molded by our inward character.

Proverbs teaches that sin destroys the heart. We are told that fools lack sense. The Hebrew word for sense is the same word used for the heart.

So be encouraged today and guard our heart so that we can make it safely to our destination.

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HANNAH HAD AN ISSUE OF THE HEART, BUT SHE RESPONDED DIFFERENTLY." DENIELLE

READ

DENIELLE'S

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"MY

PLACIDE

HEART

IS

BREAKING"

OVERLEAF

MY HEART IS BREAKING

By Denielle Placide

Does this sound familiar to you?

Well, it does for me. In my field of counselling, most of my days are spent listening to the cries of women who repeatedly utter the words, “My heart is breaking” or as one young lady descriptively put it, “My heart is in pieces”.

I have not gotten used to these words because truly, there are some situations in life that leave us in a desolate place; a place of emptiness. A place where we are reduced to fragments ― ruptured, torn, fractured, and broken.

The book of 2 Samuel 13 records one of the hardest, heart-breaking and gutwrenching accounts of all times.

Princess Tamar, a beautiful, graceful, hospitable, and pure-hearted young woman became a victim of abuse, rejection and a shattered heart at the hands of her brother, Amnon.

Her life, like that of many people, was evidence of the usual rampage by the devil to destroy lives. It was C.S Lewis who said “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny”. However, for Tamar this did not become a reality as 2 Samuel 13:21 indicates that after her tragic experience, she remained desolate.

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Our hurts and pains are not meant to define who we are and should not cause us to become embittered. God’s plan is to give us a new meaning and a message through our hardships. The challenges we face may be a part of God writing our story. He can even use our story as a means of His grace and intervention in the lives of others; even those who may have ‘wrecked’ our story.

Think about this for a minute.

When you are hurt, there is a natural tendency to say and do things that do not represent God. However, above all else, you must guard your heart, for out of it everything flows (Proverbs 4:23 NIV), and the pillar of truth is “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV).

She ran to a place of safety knowing full well that God is a present help in the time of trouble. A broken heart is an SOS call to God, who takes pleasure in healing the brokenhearted. So, if your heart is broken, do not remain in a desolate place like Tamar. Seek to do as Isaiah 52:2 says, “Arise…. Sit in a place of Honor … Remove the chains of slavery from thy neck”.

Therefore, how do you pick the pieces of your heart when negative life experiences leave you shattered? Let’s consider Hannah, “Who was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly” (1 Samuel 1:10 ESV).

Like Tamar, Hannah’s life was wrapped up in pain and shame. She also suffered ridicule

by Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife. To worsen the situation, Peninnah was able to bear children, but Hannah could not.

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Didn’t Hannah have a reason to stay heartbroken or desolate? Didn’t Hannah have a reason to curse God or allow her pain to destroy her life? By all means she did, but she chose to be prudent with the words and meditation of her heart (Psalm 19:14 NIV).

Our hurts and pains are not meant to define who we are..."

Prayers That Heal The Heart

TIME TO TAKE YOUR BROKEN HEART TO GOD Father in the name of Jesus, I place my heart in Your hands. Take my heart and mold as the potter molds the clay. I am yours.

AMEN!

Hannah had an issue of the heart, but she responded differently. I will explain what she did using six verses of 1 Samuel 1.

1. She Trusted the Process: verse 6 ‒ “The Lord had closed her womb”. God’s purposes were beyond blessing Hannah with a son. He had a plan to bless her at the right place and at the right time.

2. She Trusted God’s Power and Ability: verse 11 – “And she made a vow… Verse 18 – May your servant find favor... she was no longer downcast. Even when she could not trace His hand, she trusted His heart.

3. She Stayed in Position for her Promise: verse 16 – “…I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” And even when the voices said otherwise, she stayed in position.

4. She Pivoted from a Place of Pain to a Place of Praise: verse 19 – she “worshipped Him”. She offered Him praise and laid all her burdens on him.

5. She Stayed in Pursuit of God: verse 26 – “As surely as you live, my Lord…”, In the midst of this unstable, ever-changing and hectic world, it is important to keep your heart focused on God. You will always be exposed to the negative elements of this world, but God will never allow your pain and brokenness to have the final word. He always has the final say.

Therefore, silence the lies in your head and activate God’s truth in your heart even when you say “My heart is breaking”.

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |29

For the first time ever, the Who's Who In Kingdom Business Digital Directory will be published by Divine Purpose Publishing in collaboration with Ruyina Global and Kingdom Women In Business Worldwide. The directory will be launched on International Women's Day on March 8, 2022.

This publication will be available online to over 300k persons around the world through mailing lists, social media and other or opportunities available to the publishing company.

Click here to get listed

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We want life to be fair.

6 THINGS TO DO

WHEN LIFE IS NOT FAIR

By Theresa Boedeker

We expect life to be fair.

We notice the sting of life not being fair.

When we get passed over for a promotion. When our friends get married before us. When the trajectory of our life takes a nosedive. When others have more talents than us. When illness hits. So many things can seem unfair.

We don't live that many years before realizing that the playing field is not fair, that chance and luck are not equal opportunists.

The sooner we realize that life is not fair, and stop expecting it to be fair, the better our attitude will be.

Believing the lie that 'life is supposed to be fair' can lead to heartache and many other things: unforgiveness, comparison, envy, bitterness, not taking responsibility for our own choices and behaviors, victim mentality, ingratitude, blaming and excuse making, not loving others, hate, pity parties, fear and worry, and discontent.

NOMADIC | 24

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |31

DON'T FALL FOR THE LIE THAT LIFE SHOULD BE FAIR. FOCUSING ON LIFE BEING NOT FAIR KEEPS US THINKING ABOUT WHAT WE DON'T HAVE, INSTEAD OF APPRECIATING ALL WE DO HAVE. "

Our definition of fairness is skewed. Let's just peek at the life of Christ.

Was it fair that the Lord of Lords was born in a stable?

Was it fair that others called Him a lunatic, a troublemaker, and sabbath-breaker?

That his enemies were constantly trying to trip Him up, were envious of Him, despised Him, and misunderstood Him and His purpose?

Do His parables portray perfect fairness? How about the parable of the vineyard where all the workers get the same wage no matter how many hours they work? Or the parable of the prodigal son being welcomed home and a feast thrown for him? Was it fair in the parable of the talents that the same amount was not given to each?

Was it fair that the thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus was welcomed and saved?

Was it fair that Jesus was tortured for deeds He did not do?

Was it fair that He died for sins he did not commit?

Jesus knows all about unfairness. He knows all about living in an unfair world.

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HOW TO LIVE IN AN UNFAIR WORLD

We only have one option. To live in an unfair world. So how do we make the best of living in an unfair world?

ACKNOWLEGE THAT LIFE IS NOT FAIR

Life is not fair according to our standards and never will be.

When we release our expectations of life being fair, we can find happiness and be more content with our life.

STOP COMPARING YOURSELF WITH OTHERS

Do your best. Use your talents.

Acknowledge where you have come from, what you have accomplished, and stop comparing yourself to others.

REALIZE THAT WE ARE ALL IN DIFFERENT LANES

Don't fall for the lie that life should be fair.

Focusing on life being not fair keeps us thinking about what we don't have, instead of appreciating all we do have.

We all have different talents, backgrounds, hindrances. and connections. When we realize we are not alike and don't need to be, we can appreciate our differences and rejoice with those who have more and help those with less.

UNDERSTAND THAT OUR STANDARDS AND VIEWS OF "FAIR" ARE SKEWED

God looks at fairness much differently than we do. He may give us different talents, but we all have equal access to Him. He lives in all his children. Loves each of us. Died for all. Gives us what we don't deserve. And the same rules and conditions apply to us, no matter our age, height, finger dexterity, or hair color.

BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE

Gratitude and thankfulness help us appreciate the many blessings we already have and help keep us from getting bitter and envious.

TAKE JOY IN KNOWING THAT GOD KNOWS YOU INTIMATELY He also wants what is best for you. He always gives us more than we deserve.

He loves us while yet sinners, desires the best for us and helps us. He gives us His spirit, peace, grace, and joy. He forgives all our sins. And we deserve none of this.

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |33

the beauty of brokenness

BY ANN DAVIS

This statement “the beauty of brokenness’ may seem very contradictory at first glance. Whenever the term “brokenness” is used images of destruction, a mess, garbage, and such may instantly flash across your mind. And as you continue to ponder, thoughts of regret, uselessness, despair, irreparability, worthlessness; and this list can go on and on.

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If we stop and take a deeper look, we will find not contradiction, but cohesion and truth. In Japan there is an art form called Kintsugi, where they put broken pottery pieces back together with gold. The Japanese metaphorically view this as embracing one’s flaws and imperfections.

They believe it symbolizes healing and resilience; where the broken object moves upward from being cared for, to a place of honor; whilst assuming its past, it paradoxically becomes more resilient, beautiful, and precious than before the shock.

And in Matthew 18:7 He says that “… offences must come…” and these can take many forms. The sudden death of a spouse, parent, or child.

Divorce, separation, rape, incest, job loss, unfinished education. What about terminal illness, barrenness, depression, strained relationships, COVID_19 and all that it brings. All these and more leave us very broken, feeling worthless, and having diminishing hope of ever being repaired or restored.

The Potter with His gold has arrived, and Proverbs 4:23 states, “Watch over your Jeremiah 18:1-6 takes us to the Potter's heart with all diligence, for from it flow House; it is there that the “marred vessel” the springs of life” (AMP). This scripture in the Potters’ Hand is made into another. highlights the importance of your heart.

This Potter is drawn to the vessel by the Your heart in this verse represents your beauty of its brokenness. Psalm 34:18, emotions, will and the mind of your heart, tells us that “The Lord is near to the (yes, your heart has a mind of its own). brokenhearted, and saves those who are The author is imploring us to fortify, crushed in spirit” and again in Psalm 147:3 protect, defend, maintain, preserve this which states, “He heals the area carefully, persistently, strictly, and brokenhearted and binds up their thoroughly, because it governs our lives. wounds”. That is what the Potter wants to Our choices, our character, our children, do to you if you let Him. our future are all influenced by this place.

Yet despite all our valiant efforts to Just as Kintsugi is considered execute this instruction, none of us can metaphorically as embracing one’s flaws truthfully say that we have totally secured and imperfections; truthful confession of our hearts from being broken. your heart’s condition to God does the same thing.

Life can deal us some painful and unexpected blows. Jesus warned us in John 16:33 that in this world we will have tribulation.

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |35

"You must trust Him and His ability to complete the work He started" Psalm 145:18 (English Standard Version) says that “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth”.

This truth cleanses and allows the Potter to apply His ‘golden’ grace to our broken pieces as He puts us back together again even better than before…like another.

This is a painstakingly delicate and uncomfortable procedure, so patience is vital. Be patient with yourself, be patient with the process, and be patient with the Potter. You must trust Him and His ability to complete the work He started, because He most certainly will! His expertise is unrivaled, and He leaves nothing undone.

When the process is completed, you will be healed, resilient, more beautiful, more valuable and moved to a place of honor.

You will have a new perspective and be able to clearly see the Beauty of Brokenness.

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Prayers That Heal The Heart

TIME TO SEE THE BEAUTY IN THE BROKENESS Father, in the name of Jesus, help me to embrace the faults and broken areas of me life. Forgive me for the times where I acted with great unthankfulness and complained. Today I pray for a renewed mind to allow You as the Potter to have Your way in my life and re-make me in your way and your style.

AMEN!

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M O T I V A T I O N A L

S P E A K E R

&

B E S T - S E L L I N G

DUANIA

HALL

A U T H O R

BEGIN AGAIN C E N T E R

P A G E

F E A T U R E

WOMEN, TAKE BACK YOUR IDENTITY AFTER TRAUMA W I T H

D D U A N I A

H A L L

We recently had the opportunity to sit with the amazing Duania Hall where we discussed her role as one who inspires women to begin again after trauma, and maximizing their lives through self- care.

Duania has a background in Social Work, Community Relations and surviving multiple traumas equips her to educate nonprofits and faith-based organizations on ways to better serve survivors in their communities. Duania uses her platform to increase awareness about cross over effects of domestic violence and other channel. Her mission is to help improve the quality of life for survivors around the globe, and motivate women to live a whole blessed life.

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH THE FULL LIVE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE SERIES: PATHS TO PURPOSE

Paths To Purpose

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |39

DUANIA W H O

I S

S H E ?

RESURRECTION

Kitchen floor In a pool of my own blood I was lying As my man repeatedly stabbed me I could feel that I was dying And no one was around to hear me crying Except for the one who hears the faintest plea I called Jesus, who I knew could deliver me At that moment I positioned my faith So, my life could get an extension too You are looking at the MonAfter that battle, I had 22 stabs The devil thought my destiny was up for grabs Malcom X said it best devil “you’ve been bamboozled, hoodwinked, had and led astray” God decreed my tomorrow So, you can’t rob me of today a Lisa Of what God will do I had stabs in my back and stabs in my arms Devil looked on with pride As his advocate did me harm Stabs in my stomach and stabs in my legs No begging for my life, God was already ahead One more stab, now in the neck Devil high-fived his ‘peeps’ Cause my life he thought he wrecked He must’ve forgot that Jesus died on the cross to set up my resurrect, And in that very moment, it began to take effect

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After that battle, I had emotional and physical scars The devil thought he destroyed me But he just raised the bar Soon and very soon All will know the reason I was created Success is belated But it’s on time, 'cause it’s God-dated You lost the battle before you even got started This thing between me and Jesus cannot be departed You lost because you brought a boy And I came back with The Man Jesus sho-nuf had back up and a plan He brought the angels, who are always down to ride, They said “Look here devil, you can torture her, but SHE WILL NOT DIE!” That was my resurrection Now I want you to take a moment of Recollection of His reflection and The devil’s perplexion Every time Jesus provides you with protection I say this with affection Jesus died on the cross So, you could salvage your life’s pieces Under His love’s perfection and Not be restrained by sin’s subjection New breath in my body came down from Heaven I’m not the same little girl, but a woman with new leaven I AM STILL because HE IS REAL!

Resurrection Cont'd He’s the beginning and the end No need to pretend Forget what you heard God has the last word Lover of my soul Dressed me in confidence So, now I stand bold Never again to be sold He’s the one who suffered and The one who died For all the foolish things I did But then tried to hide He’s my doctor, lawyer, father, Mother, sister, brother Like no other, my whole life He covers He is my beauty that will never age He is why I keep coming to the stage I’m America’s Next Top Model of victory If you want to know if he can really save you, just look at me To recite a cute little poem, I did not come Like Neo in the Matrix, I am the one; To make a difference in this world that’s major Using the gifts given to me by the Savior There is nothing beyond my reach I came from The One who created when He’d speak Here’s a revelation for me and for you We’re made from the same fabric as Him So, the same things we can do For each one of you God has a resurrection TELL THE DEVIL IT'S OVER! Let God take control and give you new direction.

By Duania Hall

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |41

DPM: Share your testimony with us and how God would have brought you through and delivered you from the trauma of domestic violence.

DH: I am a survivor of domestic violence. I have been in multiple relationships that included some type of violence, whether it was physical or non-physical.

This is indeed a transformation of a woman who has overcome, a woman who has seen victory, a woman who has seen death's door. But through God's grace, and through her holding on, she is still here today to tell her story. Not only to tell her story, but to bring others out and most importantly, bring other women out.

DPM: Let's talk a little bit about that stolen identity. What was it that caused your identity to be stolen and what has led you to share this message: "women you can take your identity back”?

REMOCREVO NA SI EHS Now She Leads Others In Their Overcomer Journey After Trauma 42| DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE

DH: I was choked, hit, kidnapped. I was intimidated, threatened, isolated from family and friends, and that has a huge negative impact on someone when another person tries to isolate you from everyone else. That's how they're able to do so many of the other things like degrade you.

I also experienced what we call “entrapment”.

That's when someone will not allow you to leave and they keep you against your will.

Having someone that I'm in a relationship with, take my phone, or unplug the phones in the house, take your car keys, so you cannot leave.

I've experienced all the money being taken out of the house. I wasn't working at the time, they were. They would literally make sure that when they left, there was not a penny left in the house. That is financial abuse.

DH cont'd: I was in a marriage, where everything was about and for the other person.

EVERYTHING! That was my main focus. I thought this is what a wife was supposed to do. I was putting him first and I was giving everything to my husband. I was feeling uneasy and lost but I didn't know what to call it. It asked myself, “Who am I and where am I in all of this?”

It was almost as if I could not feel myself anymore and that was a very scary and uncomfortable feeling.

Some years later, when I was no longer in that relationship, it just like hit me like a light bulb like “Girl, you lost yourself. You lost who you were, you don't know who you are anymore’. That's your identity; who you are, and even whose you are and when you get to that point and you feel disconnected from those two things you've lost your identity.

I want any one reading this to know that if any of this resonates to you, and you're experiencing any of that, know that it is domestic violence.

DPM: What advice can you offer to someone who is experiencing this and needs to begin the process of taking back their identity.

DH: First, you have to come to a place to admit that you were in either an abusive or a toxic relationship. You have to be able to say that to yourself. It's not about saying it to anybody else. You have to admit it to yourself.

In one of my relationships I was literally on my knees praying one day, and I said, "Lord, this relationship that I'm in is not good for me. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to get out of it. But I know that I can't be here anymore. I know that this is not good for me. Please help me." I said that prayer every single day, for 30 days and at the end of that, my release from the situation came.

Also, if you're getting help, allow the help to help you. When you've been hurt and when you've been manipulated, it's not easy to then trust whoever is saying I will help you. So, you must pray and ask God for discernment. Allow yourself to feel all the feelings behind that and then you can get to that point of saying, "Okay, now, I can start rediscovering who I am right now."

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |43

DPM: So, you talk about your affirmations which you share with other women. Tell us about that.

DH: Well, ironically, I didn't have these affirmations when I was going through my trauma with domestic violence. A lot of things I didn't realize until afterwards. These affirmations came about after I was able to go through the healing process and do self-assessment and also situation assessment, where I could see more of the things that I needed. That Duania before, she was vibrant, and happy and fun and socializing with people. Then after getting into these relationships, she was not socializing at all. A lot of people thought I just didn't want to be around people anymore, but they didn't know what was going on. That Duania, she was not going out. She didn't want to be around people anymore. She was sad a lot of the times and she was not sticking up for herself anymore.

Some years later, I was reminded me of who I am and whose I started “inching” back to myself, To you lafies out there or anyone who's being abused, it’s a process. Nobody's telling you to rush yourself. No, because you deserve all the time that you need to get it right and get to your best self.

On one occasion I was preparing for a women's conference. It was going to be virtual event and while preparing for that, I was asked to do a power talk. And while I was preparing for that, and writing all these things down, God gave me the whole woman affirmation. That is what I shared with the women and it has been blessing people just everywhere and whoever has been able to hear it. I say the whole woman affirmation everyday.

The whole woman affirmation reminds me that even though you've gone through something that makes you feel broken, you are whole in God. He created you a whole person. So the things that make us feel less than or broken, they don't change the word of God. They don't change how He created us.

They don't change who He created us to be. God created you to be a whole person. So that's why it's called whole woman, I'm a whole woman.

A lot of times we get stuck, especially after domestic violence and abusive traumas, feeling like we are worthless, or feeling like we're half a person, feeling less.

Then we start to take on that identity, we start walking around and behaving like a person who is less than, a person who doesn't deserve better, as a person who is not whole. So it is important to affirm your wholeness every single day. You're still whole!

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THE WHOLE WOMAN AFFIRMATION

By Duania Hall

I AM an amazing woman.

I AM a seed for good things.

All the needs & wants I’ve provided/ Are circling back to me.

And I deserve it.

I have dreams & goals.

And give myself permission/ To affirm & pursue them.

I will make self-care a lifestyle.

Because my well-being/ IS…NOT/…Optional I will say “I LOVE YOU GIRL!” Out Loud…Everyday/ Because I AM phenomenal I will no longer allow/ The gift of my time.

To be treated/ As anyone’s entitlement.

Nor volunteer my energy/ For things.

That don’t align with my future.

I have NO MORE “cheeks” to turn.

I’m focused forward.

My sleep/ Has been beautifully disturbed.

And now I know.

That I AM A WHOLE Woman And it’s time/ For me to live A WHOLE Life

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |45

WHAT KEEPS HER SMILING

DPM: What keeps you smiling as this beautiful woman who iis leading a whole band of other women, organizations and leaders down that road of recovery?

DH: God keeps me smiling every day. It's so funny because this morning when I was preparing for the interview, God was flooding me with scriptures.

Journaling is something that's really good to do. When you journal, in the midst of whatever storm it is, it allows you to release the pain right there in the process.

Before I even get off the bed I write a gratitude list. I write five things that I'm grateful for. The truth is, even though you motivate people, it doesn't mean that you don't need motivation. This gratitude list is so important to me because there are some days where it's hard to get up. And there are some days where you don't want to, and you have to push yourself. So writing the things I am grateful for really helps. It really helps you focus on positive things and put my intentions towards something positive and reminds me just how blessed you are. And that's really important to keep you out of those dark places.

If any of the following scriptures resonate with you in relation to whatever you're going through, you can just repeat them every day. Psalms 35, weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Psalms 91: 3, he will deliver you from the Fowler's snare, plain terms, your abuser, your oppressor, negative people, whatever that is, he will deliver you. Psalms 23, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me. In 2 Timothy 1:7, God has not given us the spirit of fear. Then in Romans 8:7, we are more than conquerors. That's what the Bible tells us. So whatever you're going through, in Him, you can overcome that. And lastly, John 10:10, God says I come that you might have life and have it abundantly.

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GOD & SCRIPTURE JOURNALING GRATITUDE

CHASTE S T Y L E

Shanique Blake B Y

C H R I S T I A N S T Y L E C O A C H

CHASTE STYLE

Styling advice for authors As businesswomen, choosing to showcase your expertise or product through the use of a written book can be one of the most beneficial things you could ever do to grow your business. This is the case since by writing a book: 1. You gain unbelievable credibility which increases the respect you will receive from customers and business associates.

In addition, people will now be more inclined to pay more to work with an established expert than someone who seems less established in a business.

2. You will be seen as the authority on a particular subject by others since you would have now proven that you know what you’re talking about.

3. This could bring you new business opportunities where you can bill for your time to educate, speak to and work with other companies and individuals helping them succeed through what you know.

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LET'S TALK BOOK DESIGN Now let’s talk about the design of a written book. Although what goes on the pages of a published book is very important, what goes on the cover is of equal importance since many customers are drawn to a product based on its packaging, as well as the perceived personality of the person writing the book which impacts writer’s overall brand. As a result, the type of clothing and color used by the author should not be selected randomly but should be chosen strategically.

Here are some tips and outfit suggestions that will help you have great photo shoots for your book cover: 1. Include your brand colors in your outfit selection, however, do ensure that these colors accentuate your skin’s undertone and goes well with your background

2. Wear power pieces that communicate your brand’s message 3. Try on outfits ahead of time to make sure they fit your specific body shape and that you are comfortable and feel confident in them/it.

Other than focusing on adding your brand colors, another thing that will impact what you wear is your personal style which may fall in one or a combination of the categories overleaf.

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |49

S T Y L E

bohemian 50| DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE

This style type borrows from the 1960’s hippie aesthetic and festival culture.

The style incorporates earth tones, natural fabrics and dyes, retro patterns/prints, mismatched clothing as well as loose fitting garments.

artzy Individuals who embody this type of style are unconventional in their dressing, make use of bold and colorful pieces and experiment with various clothing styles and patterns.

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |51

Sophisticated | Preppy| Classic This style type includes putting together looks that are polished and incorporates blazers, pencil skirts. straight and A-line dresses and pearls where wearing accessories are concern.

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An individual with this style type dresses simple and keeps a few key versatile monotone/neutral and or colored pieces. Bright colored pieces and accessories are kept at a minimum.

minimalistic

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |53

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Authors who are Consultants and Coaches whoKatherine would like toWeiss communicate their professional value through their visual appearance when showing up for a book launch, book signing, business events and social media interactions.

📌 Have a cleansed style reflective closet - get rid of pieces from your closet (through my 3-step process) that no longer serves you or make you feel confident 📌 Become a color and pattern combination guru through color analysis and my color and pattern mixing method 📌 Get a clear understanding of what bodyshape you have so that you can strategically dress for it 📌 Get a clear understanding of your style type and strategically shop online from some of my best sites. 📌 Strategically curate outfits for different events.

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Helping Authors Show Up Powerfully!

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CONVERSATIONS WITH AN OVERCOMER

DONNA WAYLES AN INTERVIEW WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR & AUTHOR

SELYAW ANNOD

It was indeed an awesome moment sitting with Donna Wayles from the USA while on her trip to the island of Barbados. Donna shared her story of overcoming domestic violence. Her advice to readers who have experienced domestic violence, is to find themselves, seek what's important to them and find their new place in the Word of God.

DPM: Tell us about your story and how you overcame domestic violence.

DPM: You wrote a book, "I'll Pray For You". Tell us how the book was birthed.

DW: After experiencing domestic violence, my mom had some really good advice for me. She told me to take some time and rediscover who I am first. And I really had been so trained in the legalistic ways of the church and brainwashed by my abuser that I didn't know who I was or what I liked or what I wanted. I really needed that time to learn who I was first. And it can be really hard trying to figure out who you are, when you have the distractions of trying to work and taking care of children at the same time.

DW: The book is based on my experience. I was born into a Christian family, and God really blessed me. “I’ll Pray For You" originates from the point whenever my ex husband was reassigned by the Navy to different place every three or four years, we would find a church to join and I would teach at the Christian school, or we would teach Sunday school, or I would teach to the Sunday school teachers how to make it a little more engaging and a little better.

So, it was like we became part of the ministry wherever we went, and our last spot was Washington state. It was way up in the border of Canada. That's when my then husband did what the military police called, simple assault and when they arrested him, he said he would finish the job if he found me.

I had to go back to the fundamental things that were important to me because during the domestic violence ordeal my faith was shattered.

I didn't trust the people of faith because I had been so hurt before and that caused me to look at my Bible differently.

Psalm 121 is my favorite. It says, "I lift up my eyes unto the Hills from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth."

I had to go back to what was important in my life and eliminate what wasn't. I decided that the length of my dress, my earrings or makeup didn't make me a good believer. When I was homeless or when I was living in someone else's house, those weren't important. I had to find what was important in my heart and in my faith in Jesus Christ.

As a result, my daughter and I were in very grave danger, and I had to carry my phone with me everywhere so that they could keep track of where I was. I would have to call the police to be able to go to my apartment, to get new clothes for the baby or for me, or to even feed my cat. The lady who I was staying with originally, her husband was coming home from being deployed on a submarine and there was no room for us to stay there anymore. We had to find someplace new.

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DW cont'd: So, I went to the head elder of my church, thinking that since they had hosted my baby shower and they had welcomed us in with all of the activities of the church, they would welcome me again. When I got there, something was different as he stood with his arm across the door. I had never seen him do that before. He said, "I'm sorry but we can't help you anymore. He's dangerous, but...I'LL PRAY FOR YOU." I tried to argue with him,.."Yes, I know he's dangerous. I have bruises"..., but all he said was we'll pray for you.

I was so heartbroken. I didn't know what to do because here were these people that I had served God alongside for a couple of years and I thought they were my friends, but they weren't going to be able to help me anymore, as he had said very clearly. I wish that they would have done more than pray for me. I would have loved a cup of tea, a cup of cold water, a packet of diapers for my baby, even just little things like a hug or, someone to sit and pray and cry with me. But to just dismiss me was really disheartening and my heart was just broken. I didn't know what I was going to do after that.

DPM: Tell us about that process of being heartbroken. How did you come to a place forgiving and getting past the hurt from the abuse?

DW: God is still working on me in this area and I have had a lot of discussions with God about this. I am currently writing a book that addresses this and through which God has been speaking to my heart. The book addresses the whole cycle of abuse that starts with tension where you feel like you're walking on eggshells all the time. Then there's some sort of explosion and you never know what it's going to be.

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It could be something as simple as I didn't buy soda at the grocery store and he would get angry or if I answered my phone and he didn't know who it was, then he smashed my phone.

So you never knew what the explosion was going to be, but then there was some sort of a reconciliation where it was said, "you made me mad, but I forgive you". The last part was kind of a honeymoon period where everything is all good, but you never know how long each of those is going to last.

So the Lord really laid on my heart that I should write a devotion for each of those portions or scenarios. The portion for tension and stress was not so hard to write. For the portion on the portion of explosion there are verses in the Bible about God keeping us in perfect peace.

But those verses about forgiveness were the most difficult. It was even impressed on me that forgiveness is not a one-time thing. I can't just say i forgive him and then just let it go because forgiveness doesn't work that way. It's a process where each day it has to be again and again, and as I battle health, and ramifications from the assault and all of the domestic violence that forgiveness has to come again, and again, and again.

Those were the hardest pieces to write. It takes a lot, because now we're finding that, my exhusband was not just abusive to me, he was also abusive to my daughter. The mom heart that comes out and says, God, why did you allow this? God, you could have stopped this?", But that's my heart not God's heart. Truth is, I would like to see my ex-husband in the orange jumpsuit; I would like to see him in prison orange, but my devotion this morning was from Habakkuk and it was saying, God wears justice.

God is saying justice is coming. Yeah. But it's not for me to give that justice.

DPM: What would you say to any woman, that is saying HE NEEDS TO PAY. She's not seeing him pay but she needs to keep her head up.

DW: It may be hard, but I had to decide to serve God. I hold on to the verse in Joshua which says, "as for me in my house, we will serve the Lord". I had to come to a place where I was not going to let the fact that my now exhusband was destroying his own life, destroy me too. I can choose to be bitter and unhappy and dwell in all the pain, or I can be happy in this beautiful island.

Even when I was working at a terrible little daycare and this little boy had an accident and made a huge mess, one of the ladies looked at me and said, "Ain't nobody gonna help you with that."

And I said, "okay".

It was just a decision of holding on to the truth that my help comes from the Lord and I'm going to have to do this. So I had to say, "Lord, please help me not make a bigger mess with this boy", and with that mindset just find something good in each day.

DPM: You're married again, what's that process for that woman that's wondering, can I ever be happy again? Can I ever find a man that will treat me like a lady? How can you encourage a woman to believe again?

DW: I think it starts with loving God and learning to forgive yourself. And that's part of the forgiveness piece that I wrote about in my upcoming book. I had to forgive myself for being human and then learn to love myself.

During that process persons hooked me up with some horrible blind dates as well (chuckles).

My now husband Cecil and I dated for almost four years before we got married, because he was about to propose to his girlfriend and she met him at his apartment to say that she had found someone else. He had the ring in his pocket and he had everything all arranged. From then he said, "I'm never getting married".

Then, he and I met and we just had fun. We went to church together. We walked around the city of Charleston in the United States together. We took my daughter to Disney world and we just enjoyed each other's company. And it took us a long time to actually be ready to make that decision to marry again. He treats my daughter as his own child. God has given him to us and us to him. I wouldn't trade that for the world. I'm so glad that we took that time to get to know one another. We don't always see eye to eye on everything because obviously no one does but God has really blessed us. We have a wonderful life that I would never have dreamed of before.

DPM: Wow. So what I see is a story of that has moved from, let's say, ashes to beauty from something like a thorn to something beautiful.

God is amazing, and I'm sure that your daughter is looking on and seeing how you are living and how you've lived through every stage as an example of an overcomer.

And you are still overcoming every day.

God bless you!

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Editor-In-Chief Vicki L. Otaruyina with Donna Wayles In Barbados (left to right)

Prayers That Heal The Heart

TIME TO TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE AFTER TRAUMA

Father, in the name of Jesus I pray for the strength to get up today. Teach me how to love myself and gain back my identity.

Show me how to forgive me and those who have hurt me in any way. Remove any resentment or hate that exists in my heart. Let the blood of You son Jesus Christ cleanse me totally.

Allow the power of your love to fill me so that I can become and overcomer whose life is a template for others. I thank You for doing this. In the name of Jesus.

AMEN!

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TESTIMONY TIME

MIRACLE-WORKING POWER

BY JUANITA HEADLEY There was a succession of quick knocks at my bedroom door before it suddenly burst open, it was the police accompanied by immigration. Everything happened in a whirlwind, and although not physically manhandled, I was denied taking a shower, washing my face or brushing my teeth. I was not going to allow myself to endure further public humiliation so I threw on some clothes over my nightclothes, washed my face and brushed my teeth.

I was quickly bundled into the back seat of a car, squashed inbetween a police officer and immigration officer and driven to the Serious Offences Court. What was my crime?

Ignoring immigration’s instructions to leave St Vincent and the Grenadines when my extension was denied because, “9 months is too long for a holiday.”

Unlike a lamb to the slaughter I raised my voice and spoke my truth. It did not fall on deaf ears but was heard and recorded by IWitness news.

Although a 7 year licensed New York attorney, that day I was standing in the defendant’s box without legal representation.

An appeal was filed but ignored by immigration who illegally took me to the airport despite the stay of execution. Just as Jesus turned up 4 days late following the death of Lazarus (John 11:17), we arrived at the airport 4 minutes late for check in. Exceptions were made, but I held onto my suitcase with all my might and the flight left without me.

My lawyer had not been made privy to the fact of that morning’s hearing; instead she remained completely unaware that I had been dragged from my bed, brought before the magistrate court, and was facing deportation which I would await from the police jail cell.

Between June 17th – June 24th 2021 all I had was hymns, and despite everything that was taken from me, the police could not stop my worship.

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Exactly a week after my release I was reading Acts 16:35-36 “And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go. And the keeper of the prison said this saying to Paul,“The magistrates have sent to let you go.” If you replace the word magistrates with Attorney General and Prosecutor, and sergeants become Attorneys, that scripture becomes my direct testimony.

God literally set me free just as I had been singing, “He set me free one day, He set me free, He burst the bars of prison for me. Someday in glory His face I shall see, glory be to God He set me free.”

Not one tear was shed during my incarceration, there was no need. God had already prepared me with a sermon two weeks prior, “A living Hope in Troubled Times.” It served as a reminder that Paul and Silas sang their breakthrough in prison and I intended to do the same, which I did.

The entire experience was surreal and just days later my ordeal became a distant memory. That was the incredible healing power of God that enabled me to function as though I had not just endured eight days of incarceration.

I had been verbally abused; ignored; disrespected; mocked; belittled; threatened with violence; violated; and the victim of theft totaling approx. $2000 U.S. by the police. The church withdrew support; my friends disowned me; and the nations’ people despised me.

Having traveled to thirtyeight countries thus far, I had never felt more alone in my life; but although I was indeed a victim, I was so much more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).

Whilst incarcerated I made God the 30, 30, 30 promise. For 30 minutes every morning and evening I would read the Bible, daily devotions, pray and play 3 worship songs; and I would have a daily 30 minute walk.

God deserved so much more from me, but that was a commitment I knew I could realistically fulfill.

I had been disappointed by hundreds of people who I had to forgive, it was required of me. I wanted justice, but took comfort in the fact that vengeance was God’s (Romans 12:19). Just as Joseph came out of prison victorious (Genesis 41:14), I was convinced that what the enemy had intended for evil, God intended for good (Genesis 50:20).

He would turn my situation around, make my enemies my footstools (Psalm 110:1) and propel me into my God given destiny.

Prayers That Heal The Heart

TIME TO GAIN STRENGTH IN THE TRIAL Father, in the name of Jesus I thank You for given me strength to praise and worship You in the situations of physical and spiritual imprisonment. I pray that You help me to continue to trust in You and hold on to your promises because the enemy has no authority over my life.

Give me a passion for Your word and to help others out of the painful experiences that I have been through.

In Jesus' mighty name.

AMEN!

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FULFILLMENT OVER SUCCESS THE KEY TO LIVING IN PURPOSE

BY ALISON BROWNE-ELLIS

“God has given all of us great purpose. We just need to find it” - ABE Over the last eighteen months, this crisis has reminded me that being successful and being fulfilled are not the same thing. I am also reminded that life really isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about discovering who God created us to be and living our lives with purpose as we strive to keep evolving.

Some people continue to struggle to identify with a greater purpose but if you are fortunate enough to identify with a God-given purpose, the hunger to do more and achieve more is never really satisfied. You constantly live your life firmly believing that there is another level with your name on it and it shows in your daily actions, your energy and in the passion exhibited as you keep pushing forward.

People are always asking me, “When do you find the time to fit in all the things you do with your schedule?”.

While I sometimes wonder the same thing, there has been one common denominator that keeps me going – I do it all in love.

Matthew 6: 21 reminds us that “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

You must love what you do! The fact is that all my personal and professional endeavors are closely intertwined and lead to my quest to fulfill one common goal.

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“To fulfill the love and passion I have for connecting with, reaching back and helping others to expand the vision they have for their lives, while witnessing the transformation as they elevate to reach new levels of excellence."

A burning desire to constantly inspire others to see the possibilities of a more fulfilling and rewarding future often sees me tackling all sorts of special projects. Truth be told, balancing the seeds or talents that God has gifted me alongside my career demands is by no means an easy feat. Thankfully, the challenge before me is not one of lack of motivation so I muster the discipline to get things done. It definitely also helps that my personal mantra is “anything worth doing simply needs to get done.”

Like many of you, my primary challenge continues to be the reality of juggling time. However, I recently read a quote that really set me thinking. The author challenged “whether people are really facing a time issue or a prioritizing issue when it comes to getting things done” (Raphael Saul).

This I found quite thought-provoking! Nevertheless, I find that I am now ever more conscious to ensure that the activities that I invest my time in are feeding and aligning to my overall purpose and passions.

It is truly remarkable how despite the success achieved, some persons can still manage to feel quite unfulfilled. For me personally, with so much untapped potential and a fire that continues to burn deep inside, I too sometimes feel like I am lagging behind. While I continue to be excited at the fruits of my labor which helps to sustain momentum, I am even more excited at the prospects that lie ahead for me to continue shaping the transformation of others.

The path to making even greater strides in the area you are most passionate about will come down to greater self discipline. Be reminded that self discipline is critical to making any real significant progress.

The consistency needed to explore new ways to live out a deep-rooted purpose that feeds your soul and gets you excited each and every time is only acquired through self discipline. We must be committed to scheduling the things that matter the most. Personally, the habit of self discipline has proven to be a career winning strategy that elevates both your execution and contribution.

Over time, you will realize that the ability to live a fulfilling life offers much greater satisfaction than what most of us deem to be success. In this world of so much uncertainty, the real prize is to identify and connect with a strong purpose that keeps you grounded and committed to evolving towards the best version of yourself. Remembering always, that how we choose to live our lives is a gift back to God.

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BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR IN-LAWS

BY ARADHANA THAKOR

Does it feel like you are in a war zone or battlefield each time you are in the presence of your in-laws?

You’re not alone! And It's about to change. That's right, get ready, for a change is coming in Jesus' name. Having stepped into an arranged marriage by faith and being happily married for a decade now, the Lord has unfolded His precious pearls along my way. And what a journey it has been! I've stumbled, fallen, wept, rebelled, whined, and questioned. Each time He embraced me with His healing touch upon my aching heart. There He refreshed me with His anointed dewdrops from heaven.

The most important lesson the Lord has taught me is this, “The battle is the Lord's." King Solomon, one of the wisest men in history wrote, "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV).

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He definitely knew what he was talking about, for he had 700 wives and therefore we can assume 700 mother-inlaws! When Jesus reigns in your heart, worldly issues like hate, anger and resentment melt at His feet. Solomon asked God to give him wisdom and an understanding heart. You can ask God too. “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” (1 Kings 4:29 NKJV). I love how the Lord gave him largeness of heart. This heart makes you accommodating and willing to bear each other's faults. You become sensitive to the slightest nudge of The Holy Spirit.

You can receive His guidance and freely flow with His leading into any situation. We are simply to receive His abundance of grace to reign over every situation. “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17 NKJV).

Your posture should be, " Lord, I depend and rely on your continuous supply of grace for this day. The battle is yours." Sounds too simple, right? The Lord has made it easy for us, but we make it difficult.

When you’re in the heat of the battle, you strive so hard to gather all your willpower and self control to not get angry even though you feel like you could punch someone. You try so hard to be poised when deep down you want to lash out. Just hand over the reins to Jesus and let Him fight for you. The first time I found the courage to hand over the reins to Jesus, I stepped onto the battlefield without my war paint on, so to speak, and guess what? The battle was no longer a battle. Everything went smoothly and the evening turned out to be a very pleasant affair.

Always remember, you have been made into the image of Christ. You are the righteousness of God in Christ. You are not a doormat to be walked upon.

You are a vessel of honor for Christ. Christ lives in you. You have every right to defend your standing in Christ. At times, the nudge of the Holy Spirit will be so great, you can't help but defend or speak up when you’re wronged or mistreated. When you flow with His grace, He gives you the right words at the right time. At times, He may simply direct you to remain silent. Friend, anchor your heart in Jesus and He will carry you safely through the storms of life.

Guard your heart with all diligence in Christ Jesus.

God in His infinite wisdom has great plans for you.

Before you were even born, He planned well in advance who you would be surrounded with on this earth and who your friends and family would be.

Your in-laws have been divinely appointed and placed in your life. They each serve a purpose in your life.

That person who constantly belittles or criticizes you or the one who thinks your not good enough for their son/daughter, have all been masterfully placed in your life by the infinite wisdom of God. I remember a time when I was verbally hurt by my inlaw, and I was deeply offended. It took quite a while for me to forget the event, but the Lord kept telling me to forgive. I rebelled in my heart as it felt so unfair. After much turmoil, the Lord helped me see things differently. He let my anger simmer down and helped me to pray sincerely for that person's well being and as a result, I was able to forgive. The peace that has followed since then is tremendous.

There was no invisible wall as I started to feel a genuine warmth towards that person.

Over the years, the Lord has taught me valuable lessons through my in-laws. He keeps using them to produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit in my heart. I have learned to be patient with people who do not see eye to eye with me. The toughest of all, He has taught me to forgive and pray for those who hurt me. He has skillfully placed your in-laws in your life.

They each serve a divine purpose. Let us lift them up in prayer so we may receive all the blessings the Lord graciously bestowed on us.

Prayers That Heal The Heart

MAINTAIN THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH IN-LAWS Father in the name of Jesus. I thank You for the in-laws which You have given to me. I pray that our relationship would always be one which is led by You and based on Your word. Thank you for the strength and ability to have the right heart as a daughter in-law to them. In Jesus' might name.

AMEN!

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NIAP RUOY NI ESOPRUP EHT WEIVRETNI

SHANNON Fraser PASTOR

WITH

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH THE FULL LIVE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE SERIES: PATHS TO PURPOSE

Paths To Purpose

DPM: Who is Pastor Shannon Fraser? How has she become who she is today?

SF: I grew up in the ghetto. So from a very young age I was exposed to violence and sadly I internalized a lot of what I saw.

I always had a love for God and whenever the church opened Shannon was there and there was no one forcing me to go. I just loved church. But after my grandfather’s death, I had a lot of questions and I wasn't getting the answers that I wanted, and that's when the rebellion started.

But before I started to rebel, I felt a tug at my heart; the urge to get baptized. Even though I wasn't familiar with the voice of God, I felt that it was something that I needed to do. So, I got baptized and after the baptism my life fell apart.

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SF cont'd: At age 11 I went to secondary school and by age 15 I had attempted suicide. I was in my first relationship and I thought that he was going to be my husband. I had spent time planning my whole life for this young man, and then I found out that he was cheating on me not with one person, but with four other women. I felt worthless and hopeless, not just because of that, but because I had given him my virginity as well. After that I did not do well in my exams. I passed 3/8 of my exit examinations.

So I asked: Where is God? God, where are you? Do you not care? Then, I remember this voice distinctly saying, “You are a disappointment to your family, you should just kill yourself. Nobody cares”.

Every day I heard this. This is why I'm so passionate about mental health today, because these voices speaks so many different things when you are at your low point. Following this, I went into a phase of depression. I didn't want to leave the bed and I didn’t want to fix my hair. I didn't even want to take a shower. This went on for many weeks, then the voices came again. So I began to cut my wrists. Then one morning I was sitting by the window and with the light from the sun coming through the bedroom window, a strength came from nowhere and my life began to change.

It was like The Holy Spirit saying to me, “Shannon, it's time to get up. You've been down low enough now.”

I had lost so much weight, I remember just trying to get up off the floor that day and I was so weak.

I fell back down, but I made it my business to put one foot in front of the other. The reason why this hit me so hard too was because I was always good at academics. Everybody knew Shannon for her great academic performance. So, when I didn't perform, it affected me.

I also found myself in a very toxic relationship at that time while in nursing school. It was tough trying to navigate my schoolwork and then have to come home to the negative comments from him. It really took a toll on me mentally. I didn't even know that I was being abused emotionally.

I also experienced a very horrible road accident and in that same year I while at church the lady who was ministering asked me if I needed prayer. I responded by telling her that needed pray for my upcoming exams and areas of my life in general because I was too ashamed to tell her what I was going through with the guy that I was with.

As soon as she started to pray for me, she said with a loud voice, "You're going to do great things for God as a nurse. God says not to worry. You're going to pass these exams."

Then she paused and said, "HE IS NOT FOR YOU! Do not conform. If he cannot love you the way that I created you, He's not the one. I'm going send your husband."

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SF cont'd: The problem was that I tried to end the relationship my own strength and I ended up in the same cycle all over again. I eventually got out of that relationship by way of a car accident.

This is why I am so passionate about teaching others how to obey God because it was one act of obedience that saved my life. I remember being in the vehicle with the guy right before the accident, pulling out of the gas station and I heard the voice of God saying "Shannon put on your seat belt".

So, I responded in obedience and I put on the seat belt. Two minutes later the car was slammed into a guard wall. It was a very traumatic experience. I did not walk away with any physical scars, but it caused me to confront a lot of my internal scars,.

DPM: What advice can you give to that person who is now at that point of giving up?

SF: I would say honestly, if it’s a case where you feel like this, you just have to dig a little deeper to find what you have left. You're never completely empty. God doesn't create His children like that. I would encourage you to find someone you can talk to, whether it is a trusted friend, or even therapist.

He loves you just as much as He loves me and He is just one prayer away. You don't even have to pray any fancy prayers. My prayer while in that relationship was simple, "God help me". That was it. It doesn't have to be long and elaborate and drawn out. He is listening. He cares. I know it may be painful at this point and it seems like He doesn't care, but I can tell you from my life that my God doesn't allow pain without purpose. You don't even have to take it from my life. We can go into the Bible and see from Joseph to Moses. Everybody listed there had some traumatic experience that God ultimately turned around and showed forth His glory.

This is not the end. This is going to be a huge part of your story.

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DPM: You talk about there's purpose in the pain, so moving now to the book, “The Purpose In Your Pain”. What was the motivation behind this book?

SF: I have a passion for people. I love people and who really helped me, to be honest, was Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts. Seeing how authentic she could be with her story after being pregnant at 13 as a preacher's kid and she could come and share so boldly. I needed to know her source and the more time I spent with God, the more confident I became I got a ‘A’ in composition and then in fifth form at secondary school I remember my English teacher saying to my mom at our last forum level meeting, “Shannon will write a book. She has a way with words”.

After the accident, God gave me two instructions.

He told m e to return to church and start by reading the Bible. Two years later He gave me a list of things that I was going to do and being an author was there,. This didn't surprise me because of my love for writing. However, the things that he wanted me to say, I was not ready to share. I had a point when writing the book, at the time recounting the experiences I broke down and it was like I couldn't continue but God has blessed me with some amazing people. My friend would tell me not give up. She encouraged me by telling me that my book would touch the lives of many women. She remained on the phone with me until I started to write again. It was tough, but It got it done.

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DPM: Over the years, you would have experienced many hurts. What are some of the results of these hurts and how have you dealt with them?

SF: From my childhood rejection had been rearing it's ugly head, I was not like my peers, I was quite outspoken and intelligent. My thought process was different so I was never included in the cliques or groups, rightfully so because I formed my own girl group and that was when I discovered my ability to lead. I was always the one who encouraged everyone to believe in themselves and love themselves and I couldn't even get it done. There was a disconnect between what I knew about myself and how I behaved and what I accepted. Rejection caused me to settle for less. I lowered my standards to be accepted. After countless disappointments I never expected anything good to happen to me and whenever anything did I felt unworthy of it.

I thought, "maybe this person had the wrong person. Why would you choose someone like me for this? I did this especially with God in regards to my calling of Pastor. He's been doing a deep work on my heart and I am on my journey to healing and wholeness.

DPM: How have you dealt with the many issues of the heart that you have experienced and how have these issues molded you into who you are today as a purpose-driven woman?

SF: By sitting with God and allowing Him to bring all I tried to cover to the fore so I could address them. I have made it my business to stay in the word to renew my mind. Romans 12:2 stood out to me from the first time I saw it. I have also been praying and journaling (I highly recommend this). I also started therapy sessions with my therapist who is a christian and his sessions have further enlightened me. We have discussed strategies to help me cope with my pain, not to wear it but rather, to understand it, allow it to hurt and grow from it. I have learned to apply the wisdom that I've gained along the way and to continue to be a beacon of Hope by God's grace.

These issues have caused me to hold on to God in a way I didn't think was possible and this has also birthed the spiritual warrior tha t was laid dormant in me. Also, they have molded me into the strong, resilient woman I am today. I am stirred with a passion today to see women delivered and set free from from the thing that I've been through.

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FINAL ADVICE

PROTECT YOUR HEART AGAINST BITTERNESS

By Kimberly Morgan

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |75

A heavy pounding sound came from my heart as I rested my hands on my chest after a run. There was another beat I felt that also brought discomfort and distress.

I disliked this feeling. I was used to hearing different sermons which speak to 'Guarding your Heart'. I was one of those persons who never thought bitterness would one day be at my doorsteps. I always believed in forgiveness and it was something I always practiced, but I was hurt by someone I emulated and trusted and forgiveness seemed a little harder than I thought.

I was now being tested to live what I preach. I was dying inside because I was dealing with things on my own terms.

There was no room for the Word of God to permeate my heart and soul. Whenever I would go into the same space that the person was in, I would always resort to being quiet and resentful. I was bitter, angry and moody.

The issues of my heart were flowing and overflowing. Ugliness and sin was flowing from my heart. When my friends would speak to me my response was sometimes sharp and unpleasant. I was saddened with my current state.

Who was this person I was becoming I would ask?

The state of my heart affected my attitude in a negative way because I failed to keep it in check with the Word of God. My transformation, healing and deliverance came about by being cognizant of my emotion and how I responded to things. I was mindful to allow God to have control and not my feelings. I was deliberate in dismissing every negative thought and closed every door or channel that the enemy would have seen fit to use to contaminate my heart.

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I held 1 Peter 5:8 dare to my heart, which encouraged me to be sober, be vigilant because your adversary; the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Although I was hurting, I reflected on Matthew 6:15 which says, “ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.

I wasn't happy with my present condition so I asked the Lord to create in me a clean heart daily and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10), this was when I saw the shackles of unforgiveness break free from my life.

Are you struggling with an issue today?

Are you guarding and keeping your heart with all diligence today?

What is the reading heart thermometer today?

We have to be intentional as believers that we are guarding our spiritual heart and keeping it from anything that may affect our relationship with God or how we represent him here on earth. It's important to keep our hearts in tune with God so that we deal with what we're experiencing and people in a Godly and right way.

Guarding one's heart helps us to be diligent of anything that is foreign and may cause us to be spiritually sick. Toxic inside our hearts means toxic out; but if we feed on the word are and guided by His spirit, then we will produce good fruits.

What type of fruits is your heart producing today?

Is it hatred, anger, jealousy, deceit, covetousness, malice, bitterness or is it love, joy, peace, forgiveness and righteousness?

God wants to help us get rid of the bad attitudes which lie on the inside of us. He wants to help us uproot those behaviors that have taken root in our lives that we sometimes project unto others. We saw where the condition of Joseph's brothers’ heart depicted hatred and hostility towards their own. When one’s heart is not kept in check it is prone to manifest itself in different ways. We think, say and act in ways that are contrary to the will of God; things that our father doesn't approve of.

Points to Ponder/Consider If you feel or recognize that there are issues flowing from your heart that you’re concerned about; issues that are unhealthy, issues that are affecting those around you,then check in with your God, your physician! Don't put a Band-Aid on it, but connect with God, utilize the word and apply it to your life. If the mind is renewed then the heart will be in tune.

Prayers That Heal The Heart

TIME TO RECEIVE JOY & PEACE OF THE LORD Father, in the name of Jesus, I repent for all bitterness and all other negative emotions towards others. I ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that the fruit of Your Spirit according to Galatians 5 can be seen in my life. I am grateful that I have a Father that I can reach out to and who is always willing to respond.

Help me to become the loving and peaceful person that you created me to be. If there is any physical ailment inside of me created by a negative spiritual heart condition, remove it by Your power and set me free so that my heart can he healed and whole; ready to do your perfect will. Thank You Father. Let your peace be perfected in my life. In The name of Jesus.

AMEN!

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |77

AUTHOR FEATURE

ARADHANA THAKOR

Burning Passion For Souls

Sixteen Letters

This book takes you on a thrilling and emotional journey of one man’s burning passion for lost souls behind bars. This beautiful journey is seen through the eyes of a daughter which she narrates in the form of poetry that uplifts and warms your soul. As you go on this journey, you will also experience the unfailing and everlasting love of Christ which is revealed in the lifechanging testimonies of prisoners. May you be blessed as you journey on…

Sixteen Letters written intentionally for a weary traveler in Christ who is journeying towards the summit through its steep craggy slopes, lofty peaks, winding pathways, and deep valleys. Each letter contains heavenly, “manna,” which will nourish and rejuvenate your soul. At the end of each letter there is a beautiful poem written just for you. Upon completion of these sixteen letters, you will find yourself with a surprisingly beautiful assignment meant just for you.

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AUTHOR FEATURE

NAOMIE PRAISE KABASELE

Echoes of Echad: Setting And Preparing Way For The Next Generation Through Key Revelations Of Success

Echoes of Echad promotes and explains deeper about unity, for the next generation and the word ECHAD is a Hebrew word for Unity. The ‘C’ in the word ECHAD is a silent letter word in the Hebrew language. This is also Naomie Praise Kabasele's second book and her first children's book.

Echoes of Echad: Setting And Preparing Way For The Next Generation Through Key Revelations Of Success is a helpful youth and children's book that teaches the younger generation about Unity.

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AUTHOR FEATURE

AKILAH HOLDER

Love - How Does God Conceptualize It?

The following essay is an excerpt from the author's upcoming book Heaven's Viewpoint: God's Perspective on Various Life Issues. The book addresses several issues from a biblical perspective - Love, Sex, Suicide, Politics and Euthanasia to name a few. The excerpted essay is on love,

Love is not an emotion. I think a lot of us confuse love and

emotions; but the reality is a momentary feeling for a person does not equate with love. Love is the ability to care for someone in spite of a momentary feeling. For example, when the Bible admonishes in Proverbs 6:25, on the topic of erotic love (eros), that men ought not to "lust for" a woman's beauty" and not "let her coy glances seduce" them, he makes a clear demarcation between physical attraction and love.

It suggests that the physical attraction that one has for the opposite sex, that sexual desire is not love.

What then is love? It is not a momentary feeling. It is not a one-time thing. It is the ability to care for someone beyond momentary feelings. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 teaches that love is the following, "Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, It does not boast, It is not proud. It does not dishonor others, It is not self-seeking, It is not easily angered, It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, it always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." Therefore, love is not emotional. Love is the ability to be there for someone in spite of how we feel towards them at any given point in time.

I will use my ex-husband's attitude towards me as an example. Whenever we fought, during the really big fights, he would become vengeful and did not treat me as his wife, but as an enemy; so he operated based on emotion. But that is not what love is as delineated above. Love is not a mood. It is not a feeling. Love is a commitment.

I spent a lot of time on the issue of love between a couple because it is the clearest example of the difference between love and a feeling, and it is clearly outlined in the Bible. However, the assertion that love is more than a feeling, but a commitment, is applicable, of course to other relationships. You ought not to cut off your mother if you and she have a disagreement. You ought not to cut off your child or children because you had a falling out with them. And the list of relationships go on.

That is why God is able to love us even when we are not lovable. That is why God is able to treat us the same way he was treating us when we were doing the right thing when we do the wrong thing. God's attitude towards us is not based on a mood. He is committed to us in spite of what we do.

In reality, our relationships should not be governed by how we feel, but by God's word. To love, oftentimes we have to act in accordance with the principles of God's word, and not our emotions.

True love, therefore, is what God shows man. Anything other than the type of love God shows man, and the type of love we are commanded to show one another as outlined in 1st Corinthians 13:4-8, is not love.

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poetry corner IN THE KINGDOM

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MOLDED BY THE MASTER POTTER When our Lord returns

Let us gladly surrender

In the twinkling of an eye,

Ourselves into our Lord's

The blessed hope

hands.

Of Christ's return shall be

Let us be perfectly molded

fulfilled.

According to His will.

When the trumpet of the Lord

When our Lord presents us

Shall sound around the globe

Before His glorious presence

Let us be prepared to meet our

Without fault and with great joy

Lord

We shall know no bounds of

With the redeemed up in the

joy.

clouds.

He is the Master Potter

Great shall be the day

Preparing us to be with Him.

When we sing His praise

He knows the best way

Along with throngs of angels

To mold us to His likeness.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God

Almighty.

Dr. Irene Surya

I

h a v e

f o r

t h e t h e

a

p a s s i o n g l o r y

o f

f o r

f u r t h e r a n c e k i n g d o m .

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w r i t i n g ,

G o d o f

a n d H i s

f o r

WHEN I WANT TO When I want to talk, I seek You out

I’m a child

When I want to laugh, I seek You out

I’m a wayfarer

When I want to sing, I seek You out

I’m always wandering off

When I want to dance, I seek You

I’m always picking fights

out

When I want to be left alone it’s

When I want to be loved on, I seek

when You seek me out.

You out

When I want to be heard, I seek You

I need Your voice

out

I need Your covering

When I want to be alone, it’s when

I need Your help

You seek me out.

I need Your joy

I need Your kindness

The world thinks I’m lonely

I need everything You have to

The world thinks I’m hurting

offer me

The world thinks I’m abandoned

Because when I want

The world thinks it knows

to be left it’s when You seek me

When I want to be left alone it’s

out.

when You seek me out.

Krystle Nicole Martin W r i t i n g p u r p o s e .

I

w r i t e

t h a t t o

w i t h

w o r d s u s e

b r i n g H e ' s

a

t o

t h e

G o d

p o e t

t o o

g i v e n

b y

n a t u r e .

p u r p o s e . p o w e r .

p o e m s

p e o p l e

i t

w o r d s

m y a

h a v e

t h e

b e e n

k e e p

a n d

i s

I ' m

I

g o o d

c o n v e y

u p !

k n o w

I

w a n t

w r i t e

c l o s e r

b o t t l e d

I

t o f o r

I

t h e

f a i t h f u l n e s s

t o

H i m . m e

w a n t

t o m y

g o o d n e s s o f

G o d .

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |83

GOD STILL MEETS US IN THE COOL OF THE DAY

The sound of God walking in the cool

Spurring actions unsifted by the

of the day terrified the first sinners

righteousness of God.

Actions measured randomly…

They ran and hid themselves.

I hurt you, I hurt you not, I hurt you, I

hurt you not …

The old serpent has honed its craft and

No time for Worship Service, prayer

is even more subtle now than then.

meetings, Bible study, personal quiet

time, personal prayers … no time for

Out of the heart flows the issues of

God.

life…

Weighed down by the stressors of life:

But the righteous Most High Daddy God

Need a house, an SUV, a family, a

watches …

phone, a job and a vacation like the

Ready to meet us in the cool of the

Jones’.

day,

With hearts set on acquiring …we

Ready to melt indifferent/cold/distant

strive,

hearts,

Rewarded by hearts

Ready to give kind words of encouragement,

indifferent/cold/distant from God,

Ready to forgive hasty words, Ready to softly direct to paths of righteousness, Ready to heal mind, soul and body, Ready to wield the two-edged sword to attack the enemy and defend His beloved children.

Are you hiding, yielding to the stressors of life?

Veronica Sutherland

Or are you ready to meet Him in the cool of the day yielded to His M y t o

d i v i n e h e l p

j o y

p e r s o n s

a n d

t h e i r

p u r p o s e

p e a c e

f i n d i n

r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G o d .

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i s

outstretched arms of love?

God walks in the cool of the day conversing with whoever will …

“Reflect reality Stay grounded with gravity Frustrated by the depravity But even energizer runs out of battery Don’t be fooled by flattery Focus on the One who won’t scatter me Cuz I matter to He I can move from Gerber to meat I can march my feet in the street I can fall and fail but not feel the defeat Cuz He keeps me upbeat Til end of age victory Death is a cheat.”

Dennis Allan Best

M y

d i v i n e

J e s u s

p u r p o s e

e v e r y

d a y

i n

i s

t o

e v e r y

o b e y w a y .

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |85

“Everlasting kindness The perpetual covenant of peace You gave life Leading with truth At ease Please take a second and sit down Before you kneel, see It is the most Holy grounds Before you it is the Messiah He is loyal Before us He is royal Interceding eternally He has given us everything we need down to the soil.”

Latoya Small

M y

d i v i n e

f a i t h f u l

p u r p o s e

a n d w i l l

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t o i n

i s

t o

s u b m i t m y

r e m a i n

t o

G o d ' s

l i f e .

DIVINE PURPOSE MAGAZINE |37

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