bullies

2 steps to shattering self-imposed glass ceilings

2 steps to shattering self-imposed glass ceilings

We've been doing a lot of talking about purpose recently

Including why purpose is important to your PR strategy and how to do purpose-driven PR.

The reason for this is because when I reflect on the nativity story, particularly from Mary's point of view, that's the overarching theme that jumps out to me about this season

Here's why:

In giving her the gift of Jesus, God took an average little girl and gave her the opportunity to present herself in a new light by lifting the lid of her potential; endowing her with His power and giving her purpose.

But, most of all, God gave her something special to share with the rest of the world- an expression of His love.

To me, this shows us as modern women that we are also pregnant with purpose- meaning that we have something to give and contribute to the world too

However, as a person who sits at the intersection of many identities, I know how hard this can be to believe at times (if not all the time)

You are literally presented with messages built from systems that contradict and try to convince you otherwise every single day but...

Guess what?

Your ability to speak up, step out and shine as the woman that God created you to be is tied to coming out of agreement with society and accepting your divine status as "blessed among women" (Luke 1:28)

Yes you!

Simply put, you can't be a thought leader if you don't actually believe that you have ideas worth sharing...

You can't make impact if you don't believe that you have the power to...

You won't use your voice if you don't believe that it's significant...

You can't be visible if you don't feel that who and what you represent matters...

Because it's impossible to shatter glass ceilings that you continue to uphold

Ready to break them down?

Here's what you must do instead

Lessons from Jochebed on how to protect your dreams

Lessons from Jochebed on how to protect your dreams

So last week, lovely, we explored Jochebed (Moses’ mother) and what she had to teach us about how to faith it til you make it.

In this post, we’ll be diving deeper into her story so that we can uncover what the events of her life show us about:

  • Why it’s important to protect your dreams (especially in the early stages of when God has revealed them to you)

  • The 3-step process to protecting them so that they can become manifest, allowing you to speak up, step out and shine as the woman of God that He ordained you to be.

I shared all of this and more on my Facebook page this week via the (live) video below.

Lessons from Abigail on how to let God fight your battles

Lessons from Abigail on how to let God fight your battles

So, last week we began talking about the lessons that Sarah teaches us about how to let God fight our battles. During that conversation, I talked a lot about:

  • God's role as our avenger

  • His willingness and ability to fight for us.

  • How He uses our battles for our ultimate good and so on

What I didn't do a lot of talking about, however, is our role in all of this.

Yes, lovely!

Although it's God's job to avenge us and fight our battles, this does not mean that we get to rest on our laurels and chill.

Oh no, as Hebrews 12:15 warns us, when someone hurts us "roots of bitterness" can "spring up," "cause trouble" and "defile" us. It is therefore our responsibility to do everything we can to ensure that, whilst God is fighting our battles, we are making a conscious decision to become better rather than bitter. As such, I did a follow-up message to last week's one explaining the exact steps that we must take to make this happen according to Abigail (in 1st Samuel 25).

I also talked about:

  • The why, how and when of praying for our enemies (even though it's hard and we don't want to!)

  • The common myth/misconception of "forgive and forget" and what to do instead

  • And more- all of which I shared on my Facebook page this week via the (live) video below.

Lessons from Sarah on how to let God fight your battles

Lessons from Sarah on how to let God fight your battles

One of my favourite Nelson Mandela quotes is:

"You must believe in the dark what God showed you in the light"

This is because a lot of the time, although a call to purpose can feel quite motivating, inspirational and even euphoric in the moment- to use another quote:

 "The night is dark and full of terrors".

No, this is not just an excuse to quote Game of Thrones (one of my favourite TV shows) I'm going somewhere with this!

I say that to say, the path to purpose is an uphill journey (which can feel like a dark night) and- as with any ascension- we should expect oppositional forces (or terrors) along the way.

The Mandela quote is important, then, because it can be very tempting to get distracted, side-tracked or even want to give up when the initial light (motivation, inspiration and faith) surrounding God's call to purpose is being overshadowed by such darkness. This is especially true when that opposition is taking the shape of criticism, slander or a lack of support from loved ones because our distraction etc can come in the form of wanting to defend ourselves. However, as the events of Sarah's life shows us in Genesis 12, we don't need to do that because God is willing and able to fight for us.

As such, I discussed what we can glean from Sarah regarding:

  • How to let God fight for you so that you can continue to thrive in purpose (no matter the opposition)

  • How God uses these dark periods for our ultimate good

  • And more- all of which I shared on my Facebook page this week via the (live) video below.

See? I told you I was going somewhere! Lol

An Interview with Wanda on Hannah

An Interview with Wanda on Hannah

Today's interview feature comes from Wanda of the Wateredsoul.com, where she "shares her thoughts on the three B(s): Bible, Books and Blogging (from a faith perspective)". Read on as she discusses Hannah, her favourite woman of the Bible and what we, as modern women, can learn from her.

An Interview with Antoinette on Esther

An Interview with Antoinette on Esther

Today's interview installment comes from my friend, Antoinette- who is a lecturer by profession but, most importantly, a woman of great faith. Read on as Antoinette shares the parallels between Esther (her favourite Biblical woman's) fight for justice and her own, in addition to what we- as modern Christian women- can learn from Esther:

Lessons from Peninnah on the Nature of Bullies and Haters

Lessons from Peninnah on the Nature of Bullies and Haters

Like most women in the Bible, there are only a few verses dedicated to Peninnah. For those who have never heard of her- she is mentioned in 1st Samuel 1:2-7, which says:

"And [Elkanah] had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat."

So, as you can see, Peninnah wasn't the nicest of people. Yet, I still feel that she has much to teach us, particularly about the nature of bullies and haters.

To continue by listening to the rest of this devotional, press play on the audio below. Download and share with your loved ones also: