Sisters, we are living in a society where so many of us are searching and probing for the answers to this thing we call life. We are in a society where many of us are seeking to understand our purpose. We are changing our degree plans. We are changing our careers. We are changing our hairstyles. We are changing our dress to the latest trends. We have become serial daters: one month we’re with this guy and the next month with another man. Some of us are even changing to an alternative lifestyle. And you know why?
As women, we seek affirmation and praise. We want someone to approve of us. We hunger for protection and assurance. We strive for love and security. God has designed for us to grow from babies to little girls, then from little girls to young ladies, and now, God wants you to blossom into a woman who is whole. Many of us do not realize that it is the trick of the devil to keep our purpose veiled, because the devil knows that true purpose is engendered in God, and that a woman who finds her true purpose will become Satan’s enemy.
We have heard and quoted many scriptures: “Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning,” “What the devil meant for evil, God meant it for good,” and “All things work together for the good of them who love God and are called according to His purpose.” The list is endless. While these scriptures bring us comfort and peace at times, it is a daily struggle to accept them as truth in the daily reality of our lives. Yes, we really want to believe our pain is passing and that one day our joy will be permanent. But wherever we are today, we are still asking God – Why?
Why am I having sleepless nights? Why am I still dealing with this hurt, rather than escaping from it? Why am I missing the mark of being a submissive wife and loving my husband? Why does my child continually disrespect me? Why do I keep going in and out of so many dysfunctional relationships?
Why are you feeling continually disappointed? Why it is everyone is coming to you for the answers to their issues and you can’t even figure out your own? Why it is that every night when we lie in our beds, dark thoughts come against our minds? We’re told, “You are nothing… If you would not have done this, that would not have happened… If you would have been a better this, they would not have done that…” and so on. Things are so tough right now you can’t even share with your girlfriends because you are the one who is “supposed to” have it together.
The truth of the matter is that we have been walking around, masking our feelings and closing the door to our own thoughts about what we are really feeling. We avoid embracing the reality that everything we dream for has been shattered into pieces. We don’t have the will or desire to stoop down, pick up the pieces and put them together again. We are emotionally drained, physically tired and just going through the motions of life in a near comatose state.
Now that we have painted a picture of where you are in your struggles, what comes next? While a picture is worth a thousand words, it is merely a snapshot of where you are in time. It does not show how you are viewed at that particular moment in time. Now we will embark on a journey of self-discovery, not only to retrace our past steps, but to clearly see the direction of our future.
For the next several chapters, we will take this journey together and discover the answer to these questions. It is my prayer that you will be open to experiencing a life-changing paradigm that you have desperately tried to find. Together, we will explore the issues that have positively and negatively influenced our emotional behavior.
This is a book for healing, restoring and focusing on our relationship with God. We will explore the life of a woman in the Bible, whose story is told in the book of Mark chapter five. She intensely suffered for twelve years, but through determination and perseverance, obtained the help she desperately needed. This book was birthed out of a personal desire to offer practical insight into God’s healing power. Just like the woman in the fifth chapter of Mark, God does not discriminate in providing healing for those who are suffering. He will do the same for you, if you allow Him.
Please note my sisters, this book is meant for those who are ready to read it. It’s a voluntary, personal choice for women who say, “I’m feeling you,” “I know someone who needs this,” and “How can I help?” Now if this is handed to you by someone, continue reading it; they are sowing a seed into your life. Afterward, pass it on to someone else and sow a seed into their lives. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “My work was to plant seed in your hearts, and another to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts” (KJV). Remember, it had to happen. Click on the Amazon link below and purchase your hardcover, paperback or eBook editions. Also available at Barnes & Noble and other online stores.
DOVE's love and big hugs,
Cynthia A. Patterson
Author, Bible Teacher & Inspirational Speaker
CEO & Founder, DOVE Ministries Inc.
P.O. Box 722338
Houston, TX 77272
(832) 323-DOVE (3683)
http://www.dove-ministries.org/
www.facebook.com/doveministryinc
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DOVE-Ministries-Inc-Preparing-Women-for-Purpose/127838747293521
https://twitter.com/#!/cyndypatterson
Inquiries requesting Cynthia Patterson for church, empowerment seminars, women retreats, women conferences or consultations send an email to info@dove-ministries.org.
