soaringaboveitall.com

Podcast/Blog

  • When Grief Changes Everything: A Candid Conversation with Minister Joy Richey

    Join us every second Tuesday of the month as we create a safe space for honest conversations, healing, and transformation.

    On February 10, 2026 @ 8:00 PM, we had the honor and privilege of sitting down with Minister Joy Richey for a deeply candid conversation about trauma responses, multiple grief experiences, and the unsolved murder of her son.

    Her story was tender, honest, and filled with the kind of truth that many people carry silently but rarely speak aloud. Minister Joy reminded us that grief is not always neat, healing is not always immediate, and even faithful people can wrestle deeply with pain.

    🌿 A Childhood Rooted in Faith and Family

    Minister Joy shared that she was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and was the only girl in her family, surrounded by protective brothers who cared deeply for her.

    She described her family as very close-knit, deeply rooted in church life, and committed to faith. Church was not just a weekly event — it was a way of life.

    She laughed as she explained that growing up, they were in church constantly:

    “Monday through Monday — with no days off.”

    As a young girl and teenager, she served faithfully and became a praise and worship leader. Because of her family’s strong church involvement, she often missed activities other teenagers enjoyed, such as basketball games and social events.

    She described herself as very naive to many things in life because of how sheltered she was raised.

    Yet even in that structure, she carried the heart of a servant.

    💭 When Strictness Led to Rebellion

    Minister Joy also spoke honestly about a season when strictness at home became difficult for her to manage.

    As a young woman, she ran away from home because her mother’s rules felt overwhelming. During that time, she stayed with other young women and entered a season she described as wild living.

    Even while she was away, she said something important:

    Her mother never stopped loving her.

    That truth remained with her — love stayed present, even when choices were difficult.

    🌸 Learning to Stop Running From Her Past

    Years later, some of the same women she once lived with would continue to bring up her past whenever they saw her.

    They would say things like:

    • “I remember when you used to do this…”
    • “I remember when you used to do that…”

    Their words often felt like attempts to shame her for decisions she had already grown beyond.

    For a long time, she admitted that seeing them made her uncomfortable enough that she would avoid them altogether.

    But one day, something changed.

    She finally stood in confidence and responded:

    “Yes, I did it — and I’m not ashamed anymore.”

    That moment of honesty and self-acceptance ended the insults.

    Her story reminds us that when we stop hiding from our past, it often loses its power to wound us.

    🕊️ A Family Marked by Deep Loss

    Minister Joy shared the heartbreaking reality of repeated grief.

    There were originally ten members in her immediate close-knit family — including her parents and siblings.

    Today, only three remain.

    She experienced loss after loss:

    • Family members passing
    • The death of loved ones
    • Her mother and father dying only six months apart

    She described how deeply those losses affected her, but nothing prepared her for what came next.

    💔 The Unsolved Murder of Her Son

    One of the most painful parts of the conversation came when Minister Joy spoke about her son, who was murdered at the age of 28 years old.

    His death remains unsolved.

    She described that moment with heartbreaking honesty:

    “I could not take one more thing.”

    After losing so many family members already, the death of her son felt unbearable.

    She shared that she became angry with God — deeply angry.

    Not because she stopped believing He existed, but because she could not understand why God did not spare her son’s life.

    She openly admitted:

    • She felt she had nothing left to give
    • She would have traded her life for his
    • She believed he had so much life ahead of him
    • She struggled deeply with disappointment in God

    She said one of the most devastating experiences a parent can face is:

    Burying your child.

    🌑 Walking Through a Dark Season

    Minister Joy did not hide the darkness she entered after her son’s death.

    She shared that grief led her down a painful road:

    • She smoked
    • She drank
    • She walked away from God

    Not because she no longer knew Him, but because she felt shattered.

    She described feeling:

    • Heartbroken
    • Disappointed
    • Emotionally exhausted
    • Spiritually disconnected

    In her own words, it felt as though:

    Jesus Himself had failed her.

    That kind of honesty matters because many grieving people silently wrestle with those same thoughts but are afraid to say them aloud.

    🧠 Trauma Responses Few People Talk About

    Minister Joy also explained how trauma affected her mind in practical ways.

    One trauma response she noticed was:

    • Difficulty completing thoughts
    • Difficulty finishing tasks she once handled easily
    • Mental fog during grief

    This is something many grieving people experience but often do not understand.

    Grief does not only affect emotions — it affects concentration, memory, energy, and daily functioning.

    She emphasized something many people need to hear:

    Take time to grieve properly.

    Healing cannot be rushed.

    🌼 What Her Story Teaches Us About Healing

    Minister Joy’s testimony reminds us:

    • Grief can shake faith, but it does not cancel faith
    • Anger with God does not mean abandonment by God
    • Trauma affects the body, mind, and spirit
    • Healing often begins when we stop pretending we are okay
    • The past loses power when we stop hiding from it
    • Grief deserves time, honesty, and compassion

    Even in seasons when God feels distant, He is still near to the brokenhearted.

    ✍🏽 Journal Prompts to Help You Process

    Take quiet time and reflect:

    • Have I given myself permission to grieve honestly?
    • Is there pain in my life I have tried to hide instead of process?
    • Have I blamed myself, God, or others for losses I still carry?
    • What part of my past still makes me uncomfortable when mentioned?
    • What does healing look like for me right now?

    📖 Scripture & Truth Points From Minister Joy’s Story

    Book of Psalms Psalm 34:18
    “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

    Book of Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 3:4
    “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

    Book of Matthew Matthew 5:4
    “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

    Book of Isaiah Isaiah 61:3
    “To give them beauty for ashes…”

    🌷 Takeaways for Healing

    • Stop apologizing for grieving deeply
    • Healing does not mean forgetting
    • Trauma responses are real and deserve compassion
    • You can still return to God after anger, disappointment, and distance
    • Your story still has purpose, even after devastating loss

    🎥 Watch the Replay

    Free Resources jump start healing by writing through It.

    Reflection Blog PodcastDownload

    💬 Share Your Thoughts

    What part of Minister Joy’s story touched your heart?

    If you have walked through grief, trauma, or loss, your words may help someone else feel less alone.

    Please leave your thoughts, reflections, or encouragement in the comments.

  • When Pain Has Many Faces: A Candid Conversation with Pastor April Robinson

    Join us every second Tuesday of the month as we create a safe space for honest conversations, healing, and transformation.

    On January 13, 2026 @ 8:00 PM, we had the honor and privilege of sitting down with Pastor April Robinson for a deeply candid and heartfelt discussion surrounding some of the most tender parts of her life — walking through multiple abortions and battling pill addiction.

    Pastor April shared her story with remarkable transparency, reminding us that healing begins when truth is spoken and light is allowed into the places we once kept hidden.

    This conversation was not about judgment — it was about understanding, restoration, and the life-changing grace of God.

    🌿 A Childhood Marked by Loneliness

    Pastor April described herself as a very lonely child — so lonely that she created an imaginary family filled with love, joy, and connection. It became a place of comfort when real life did not provide the emotional safety she longed for.

    In her household, communication was not modeled in a healthy way. Instead of learning how to express feelings openly, it often felt like everyone was living for themselves.

    She shared that she frequently felt voiceless, unsure where she belonged or how to be heard.

    ⚖️ The Weight of Being Called “The Favorite”

    Although some may think being labeled the “favorite child” is a privilege, Pastor April revealed the hidden burden that came with that title.

    Her parents often compared her siblings to her, saying things like:

    • “Why can’t you do it like April?”
    • “April always does this right.”
    • “April always does that well.”

    While she was placed as the standard others were expected to reach, it was never a position she desired. What appeared to be honor actually created division.

    This led to a painful sibling rivalry that caused her older sister to struggle with resentment toward her for many years.

    Her story reminds us of something very important:

    👉 Parents must be careful not to compare their children.
    Comparison can plant seeds of competition, jealousy, and emotional harm — both for the child being elevated and the ones feeling overlooked.

    💭 Escaping Into Fantasy

    Growing up in a dysfunctional family environment caused Pastor April to dream of a “perfect family,” much like the loving images she saw in Disney movies.

    Those pictures shaped her expectations of love — expectations she carried into her first serious relationship with the father of her child.

    But when reality didn’t match the dream, pain surfaced.

    In her own honesty, she shared that she sometimes tried to force love through conflict. Their relationship became unhealthy, and there were multiple encounters involving domestic violence.

    Pain often expresses itself in ways we don’t recognize at the time.

    As Pastor April’s story reveals:

    Pain wears many masks.

    💔 A Decision That Was Not Her Own

    After becoming pregnant a second time, Pastor April shared that her parents made the decision for her to have an abortion — one she did not want.

    She went to the appointment accompanied by a friend, carrying emotional weight that would follow her for years.

    While there, she witnessed another young woman pleading with her mother not to make her go through with the procedure. Watching that moment unfold created a second layer of trauma.

    She described the experience as deeply heartbreaking.

    What made it even harder was the silence that followed. She hoped the father of her child would comfort her or help her process the pain — but instead, life seemed to continue for him while her world felt shaken.

    In her hurt, she admitted that she did everything in her power to make him feel the depth of her pain by creating chaos in his life.

    When pain goes unhealed, it often searches for somewhere to land.

    😔 Numbing the Pain

    After the abortion, sleep became difficult. What started as a small reliance on sleeping pills quickly grew into a dangerous addiction.

    She shared that the number increased drastically — eventually reaching up to 260 pills a month.

    The addiction began affecting her body, her mind, and her emotional health.

    What started as an attempt to find rest became another chain she needed freedom from.

    But even in that dark season, God never stopped pursuing her.

    🌸 The Hope Within Her Story

    Pastor April’s testimony is a reminder that no matter how broken life may feel, God is still able to restore.

    Her journey shows us that:

    • Loneliness does not have the final say.
    • Trauma does not define your future.
    • Addiction is not stronger than God’s power.
    • Your past does not disqualify you from healing.

    Where shame once tried to settle, grace stepped in.

    Where pain once ruled, healing began.

    ✍🏽 Journal Prompts to Help You Process

    Take a quiet moment to reflect:

    • Did I experience comparison growing up that still affects me today?
    • Are there areas of my life where I have been silently carrying pain?
    • Have I tried to numb emotional wounds instead of healing them?
    • What does forgiveness — including self-forgiveness — look like for me?
    • Where might God be inviting me into deeper emotional healing?

    Remember, awareness is often the first step toward freedom.

    📖 Scripture & Truth Points from Pastor April’s Story

    Psalm 147:3
    “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

    Romans 8:1
    “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”

    Matthew 11:28
    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

    Joel 2:25
    “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.”

    Let these truths remind you — God is still restoring lives every single day.

    🌼 Takeaways for Healing

    • Comparison within families can create lasting emotional wounds.
    • Unprocessed pain often leads to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
    • Addiction frequently begins as an attempt to escape emotional suffering.
    • Healing starts when we confront what we have tried to bury.
    • God meets us with compassion, not condemnation.
    • Restoration is always possible.

    No matter your story — there is hope ahead. Grab resources for healing below.

    Reflection Blog PodcastDownload

    🎥 Watch the Replay

    Missed this powerful conversation?

    We encourage you to watch with an open heart. You never know how God may speak directly to you through someone else’s testimony.

    💬 Join the Conversation

    Did Pastor April’s story resonate with you?

    Your reflection, encouragement, or testimony could help someone else feel less alone in their healing journey.

    👉 Share your thoughts in the comments below.

    Let’s continue building a community where honesty is welcomed, healing is possible, and every story matters.

  • Delivered From Darkness: Brandie Baker’s Journey Out of Witchcraft and Addiction

    Join us every second Tuesday of the month. In 2026, we will be back full force.


    On November 11, 2025, @ 8:00 PM, we were privliged and honored to have an candid, eye-opening conversation with Brandie Baker about her journey through fear, spiritual deception, witchcraft, and the supernatural experiences that shaped her early years.

    🌿 A Childhood Full of Fear, Sensitivity, and No Guidance

    Brandie shared that even as a young child, she saw things, felt things, and sensed spiritual presence in ways she couldn’t explain.
    She was terrified at night and felt constantly watched — but she had no language for it. The churches she grew up in never talked about spiritual gifts, discernment, or the demonic realm.

    She said:

    “I always knew I wasn’t alone in that room. I could feel it.”

    Her mother didn’t understand, and simply told her, “Ain’t nothing in that room. Go to bed.”
    But her older brother believed her. He would let her get in his bed at night so she could feel safe.

    From a young age, her spiritual sensitivity went unrecognized and unsupported — making her a target for confusion.

    When the Church Is Silent, the World Becomes the Teacher

    Because she got no spiritual guidance, Brandie found explanations in the only place that seemed to understand what she felt:
    witchcraft movies, fantasy shows, and supernatural entertainment.

    Films like Hocus Pocus and The Craft made her feel “seen,” because they mirrored the unusual spiritual experiences she had as a child.

    She explained:

    “Nobody taught me about gifts. The only place that explained what I felt was witchcraft shows.”

    And we talked about how dangerous that is —
    When the church does not teach spiritual truth, the enemy gladly fills in the gaps.

    “Innocent Games” That Became Open Doors

    As a teenager, Brandie began experimenting with what looked like harmless fun:

    • “Light as a feather, stiff as a board”
    • Making a homemade ouija board
    • Following spells in a book
    • Trying to open “doors” to other realms
    • Burning sage and candles
    • Curiosity about supernatural abilities

    But little by little, these “games” became spiritual portals.

    Her dreams became dark.
    Her home atmosphere changed.
    Her behavior shifted.
    Fear increased.

    She didn’t recognize it then, but these things opened real spiritual doors.

    The Night Darkness Revealed Itself

    One night changed everything.

    She was using the ouija board with an older man who was leading the session.
    As the board moved back and forth between the sun and the moon, she watched his face transform right in front of her eyes.

    Not slightly — dramatically.

    That moment scared her so deeply that she stopped witchcraft for a time.

    🔄 Returning to Old Connections and Old Doors

    Years later, after having her daughter, she reconnected with an old friend.
    One night, she heard her name whispered in the dark. Out of fear, she invited her friend to “smudge” the house, reopening spiritual doors she thought were closed.

    Later that night, the group decided to have a seance.

    During the ritual:

    • Her eyes began twitching
    • She felt something trying to enter her body
    • The room shifted
    • She became overwhelmed with fear

    She pulled her hands away — leaving the portal open.

    After that:

    • A heavy cigar smell filled the room
    • Perfume scents followed
    • They heard footsteps and whispering
    • A man’s eyes turned completely white
    • A fog and sewage smell surrounded her

    She knew she had to leave immediately.

    Spiritual Presence That Followed Her Home

    Driving home, she felt a presence breathing down her neck the entire way.
    As a child, she used to sing “Jesus Loves Me” when she was afraid —
    so she sang it again as a grown woman, driving through her fear.

    When she got home, she felt the presence hovering over her bed.
    And then something happened that confirmed she wasn’t imagining it:

    Her daughter’s father woke up out of nowhere and said:

    “It feels like somebody’s in here with us.”

    Then fell back asleep.

    The Spirit That Targeted Her Daughter

    Brandie knew in that moment:

    “That thing is going to try to attach itself to my daughter.”

    And it did.

    Her daughter grew up tormented:

    • Too afraid to take a bath alone
    • Constantly feeling watched
    • Night terrors
    • Dreams of men with bones sticking out of their heads
    • Fear of the dark
    • Not wanting to sleep alone

    Brandie said watching her daughter suffer broke her, because she realized:

    “I brought that home. I opened those doors. My baby paid for what I did.”

    She tried everything she knew:

    • A pastor blessing the home
    • A dream catcher (not knowing it was wrong)
    • Anything to help her child feel safe

    But nothing worked because the spiritual doors were still open.

    Church Hurt and Pastors Who Didn’t Understand

    Brandie shared the pain of reaching out to pastors for help — only to be dismissed.

    She said:

    “How you going to preach the Bible and then tell me demons aren’t real?”

    The host she: “She has witnessed leaders preaching “pretty messages” but running when real spiritual warfare showed up.”

    It wasn’t until she found a church that taught truth and spiritual warfare that she finally began understanding what she had been battling her whole life.

    🔥 Still in Witchcraft and Didn’t Know It

    Even after she began seeking Jesus, Brandie still unintentionally practiced New Age spirituality:

    • Burning sage
    • Using crystals
    • Mixing “Jesus talk” with rituals
    • Lighting intention candles
    • Believing in chakras and the third eye

    She thought it was harmless because:

    “They burned incense in the Bible, right?”

    But one Sunday, the apostle stopped mid-sermon and said:

    “If you’re burning sage, you’re in witchcraft.”

    It hit her spirit deeply. She repented, threw everything away, and fully renounced every door she had opened.

    She learned:

    • Burning sage doesn’t cast spirits out
    • New Age practices are not “harmless spirituality”
    • Blending Jesus with crystals, chakras, third eyes, or moon rituals is deception
    • Some people are undercover witches calling themselves Christians

    And she learned:

    “The devil doesn’t need permission if you already gave him legal access.”

    🧠 Torment, Addiction, and False Prophets

    Brandie shared how witches and warlocks often recognized her spiritual sensitivity and targeted her — even when she was trying to come to Christ.

    Some acted like prophets, speaking accurate things about her life, making her think it was God.

    She didn’t yet understand:

    • Familiar spirits know your information
    • Knowledge does not equal prophecy
    • Not everyone saying “Jesus” is from God

    She said:

    “Just because someone knows something doesn’t mean God told them.”

    🚫 Why Sage, Crystals, Candles, and “Good Energy” Are Not of God

    Brandie explained that many people think these tools “bless their life,” but:

    • The devil can bless you too
    • Spiritual gifts can be counterfeited
    • New Age practices open spiritual doors
    • “Christian witches” are blending truth with lies
    • The enemy targets your children through your practices

    She said:

    “You might feel fine. But watch your kids. That’s who gets hit first.”

    Reflection Blog PodcastDownload

    ✍🏽 Journal Prompts for Reflection

    • Have I opened spiritual doors without meaning to?
    • Are there objects or practices in my home that may be connected to witchcraft or New Age beliefs?
    • What patterns in my children or family might be spiritual, not emotional?
    • How can I fully renounce and close every door in Jesus’ name?
    • What does God want me to learn from Brandie’s testimony?

    📖 Scripture & Truth Points

    • “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” — Hosea 4:6
    • “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness…” — Ephesians 5:11
    • “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…” — 2 Timothy 1:7
    • “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” — John 8:36
    • “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7

    🌼 Takeaways for Healing

    • Spiritual sensitivity is not strange — it’s often a calling.
    • Curiosity can be a trap; discernment is crucial.
    • New Age spirituality is not harmless — it is witchcraft in disguise.
    • Our choices impact our children spiritually.
    • Deliverance is real and available through Jesus alone.
    • Renouncing, removing, and repenting break patterns.
    • Jesus restores what darkness tried to steal.

    🎧 Watch the Full Replay
    You can watch the full conversation with Brandie Baker.

    💬 Share Your Thoughts
    How did Brandie’s story speak to your heart?
    What did it open your eyes to?
    Leave a comment — your words may help someone else find freedom and healing.

  • A Broken Child, Witchcraft Hex, and Mental Health Battles — A Conversation with Latoyia Nicholson

    SoaringAboveItAllBlog

    Join us every second Tuesday of the month.
    On October 14, 2025, @ 8:00 PM, we had the honor and privilege of sitting down with Latoyia Nicholson for a heartfelt and transparent conversation about her journey through childhood rejection, spiritual attacks, and mental health battles.

    What she shared was powerful, eye-opening, and filled with the redemptive grace of JESUS Christ.

    🌸 A Childhood of Rejection and Longing

    Latoyia opened her heart about the deep pain of growing up as a child whose father accepted all of his other children but denied her.

    As a little girl, she often wondered why her siblings—who lived in the same home—got to visit their father while she stayed behind. Even as she grew older and tried to reach out to him, the rejection continued.

    A blood test later confirmed what she already knew—he was indeed her father. Yet even then, he dismissed the truth, saying, “We all have the same blood,” while still showing no desire for a relationship.

    Despite the hurt, Latoyia still longed for her father’s love and connection. The pain of being denied never fully left her, but in time, she received a divine revelation that changed her life:

    “The greatest Father a human can ever have is JESUS Christ.”

    She realized that the love she was searching for had been present all along through her Heavenly Father, who had carried her through every season of her life.

    💔 Abuse, Motherhood, and Sacrifice

    As a young girl, Latoyia experienced sexual abuse that left deep emotional scars and confusion. It led her into a season of brokenness and promiscuity as a teenager—seeking love and acceptance in all the wrong places.

    At just 16 years old, she became a mother to her first child. Now, she is a proud mother of five beautiful children—four boys and one girl.

    She shared how there were many sacrifices she had to make as a young mother to care for her children. The road wasn’t easy, but her determination to provide stability and love for them became one of her greatest motivations.

    ⚠️ A Spiritual Encounter: Be Careful Who You Let In

    Later in life, Latoyia moved into an apartment complex as a new believer. She described herself as very friendly and open-hearted. One of her neighbors befriended her and often came into her home—and she visited theirs in return.

    What she didn’t realize at first was that these neighbors had evil intentions. She later discovered that they had placed a hex on her. She believes that something was put into her drink and that items were planted in her home without her knowledge.

    This opened the door to spiritual oppression that left her feeling bound by darkness and fear.

    When her aunts, Robin and Trina, came to her home to pray, they stood in spiritual authority and called on the name of JESUS. She said that whatever had tried to overtake her had to loose her in Jesus’ name.

    Through that experience, she learned an important lesson that she now boldly shares with others:

    “Do not let everyone into your home. Some people carry evil intentions while pretending to be friendly.”

    She warns that not everyone deserves access to your life or your space, because some people plan evil for your good.

    🧠 Mental Health Battles and Healing

    Following that spiritual attack, Latoyia began to battle mental health challenges that lasted nearly 18 years. She was diagnosed with a mental illness and, at times, struggled to take her medication consistently—believing she didn’t need it or felt better without it.

    Now, she’s learning the importance of caring for herself and maintaining her own health for the sake of her children. The host Laquanza shared this powerful truth:

    “Taking your medication doesn’t mean you don’t have faith in JESUS. Your process may not look like someone else’s—but healing is still happening.”

    Her honesty about her mental health journey helps break the stigma many believers face when balancing faith and therapy, prayer and medication, spiritual warfare and emotional healing.

    ✍🏽 Journal Prompts for Reflection

    • Have I ever struggled to forgive someone who never acknowledged how they hurt me?
    • In what ways have I allowed the wrong people too much access to my heart or home?
    • How do I see God as my Father, even when earthly relationships have failed me?
    • What does it mean for me to care for both my spiritual and mental health? Free Resources Below.
    Reflection Blog PodcastDownload

    📖 Scriptures to Hold Close

    • “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
    • “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
    • “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14

    🌼 Takeaways for Healing

    • God’s acceptance is greater than man’s rejection.
    • Protect your peace—everyone doesn’t deserve access to your space.
    • Mental health and faith can coexist. Taking care of your mind honors God, as well.
    • True deliverance and healing come through Jesus Christ—and the process takes time.
    • Your pain can become your platform when you surrender it to God.

    🎧 Replay the Full Conversation
    You can watch this powerful and eye-opening conversation with Latoyia Nicholson on Facebook later on YouTube.

    💬 Join the Conversation
    How did Latoyia’s story speak to you? Share your reflections or words of encouragement in the comments below. Someone else’s healing may begin through your voice.

  • Sexual Assault, Prostitution, and Addiction — A Conversation with Shondra Holmes

    Join us every second Tuesday of the month.
    On September 9, 2025, @ 8:00 PM, we had the honor and privilege of sharing a candid conversation with Shondra Holmes about her testimony: “Sexual Assault, Prostitution, and Addiction.”

    What she shared was powerful, raw, and life-changing.

    A Story of Struggles and Survival

    Shondra became a single teenage mother at just 16 years old, giving birth to a beautiful baby girl. By God’s grace, and with the help of many people in her life, she was still able to graduate on time.

    Her childhood, however, was filled with pain. Shondra bravely opened up about being sexually assaulted as a child by a close family member. Even more painful was the way it was handled—her abuser never admitted what was done, and acted as though it never happened. She shared the struggle of trying to forgive someone who never acknowledged the damage they caused—pain that followed her even into adulthood.

    In this home, she and her siblings were often mistreated and beaten without reason. These painful environments shaped how she later responded to her own children—sometimes overprotecting out of a desire to shield them from the hurt she had known.

    Childhood Disruptions

    Shondra also spoke about how she and her siblings ended up in foster care due to struggles her mother faced and her inability to care for them at that time. Her older sisters fought hard to keep the siblings together, so when a family member offered to take them in, it initially seemed like the best choice.

    Later, Shondra shared how her perspective of her mother has changed. Today, she is grateful for the way her mom is present for her grandchildren, and she shed tears of thankfulness for the healing that has come.

    She also spoke lovingly about a woman she calls Mama Jackie, who eventually took her. That home was stable, safe, and filled with care.

    The Road of Addiction

    Alcohol was her first escape. What started as occasional drinking quickly became an addiction. When alcohol no longer gave her the escape she craved, she turned to harder substances: marijuana, pills, and powder drugs.

    Her drug use eventually introduced her to the world of prostitution. We explained with deep honesty that often, the traumas of childhood lead us to use anything available to numb the pain—without even realizing what we are running from.

    ✝️ Redeemed by JESUS

    Through it all, Shondra declares boldly that God rescued her from herself.

    Even while she was living in the streets, bound by addiction and prostitution, she still had faith—faith that her story was not over, faith that Jesus could still bring her out. And He did.

    Today, Shondra is a wife, mother, grandmother, and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and so much more. She gives all glory to JESUS for restoring her life and breaking generational curses through her “yes” to Him.

    She reminded us that healing didn’t happen in an instant. It was a process—step by step, day by day, faith through every challenge. And now she can testify that:

    “God truly gives back the time for His glory.”

    ✍🏽 Journal Prompts for Reflection

    • What pain from my past still affects how I parent, live, or make decisions today?
    • Have I ever struggled to forgive someone who never admitted their wrong?
    • What “numbing agents” have I turned to when I couldn’t face my hurt?
    • Where have I seen God rescue me from myself?

    📖 Scriptures to Hold Close

    • “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
    • “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36
    • “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

    Takeaways for Healing

    • Childhood trauma often echoes into adulthood, but God can rewrite the story.
    • Forgiveness is possible, even when apologies never come.
    • Addiction and destructive choices may feel final, but redemption is greater.
    • Faith—even the size of a mustard seed—can move mountains.
    • God restores, redeems, and gives back what was lost.

    🎧 Replay the Full Conversation
    You can watch the replay of this life-changing testimony on Facebook and YouTube, coming soon. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CCc5aHmaJ/

    💬 Join the Conversation
    Has Shondra’s story touched your heart? Share your thoughts or a word of encouragement in the comments below. Your voice might be the one that brings hope to someone still fighting through their own pain.

  • Soaring Above It All Blog

    Join us every second Tuesday of the month.
    On August 12, 2025 @ 8:00 PM, we had the privilege and honor of sitting down with Evangelist Kimberley Hudgens for a candid conversation titled “When Goodbye Comes Too Soon.”

    Our guest shared a tender and powerful testimony about the loss of her sweet baby girl. As we talked, we also learned beautiful things about Kimberley’s life and faith journey that truly inspired us.

    🌸 A Glimpse Into Kimberley’s Life

    Kimberley is the youngest of her mother’s three children. From an early age, she was surrounded by faith, as her grandparents poured JESUS and the power of prayer into her heart. She began singing as a young girl, and music has always been a central part of her story. Over the years, she has sung in many choirs and blessed countless people with her voice.

    She also has a love for pageants and a passion for young people. Kimberley’s heart is to teach, mentor, and build up the next generation—because at her core, she is truly a natural-born teacher.

    Early Battles of the Mind

    Kimberley shared that even as a child, the enemy tried to confuse her in her thoughts. She reminded us that the enemy often seeks to control the mind so that we never step into the promises God has for us.

    But as Kimberley declared boldly:

    “GOD keeps the mind through prayer.”

    💔 When Goodbye Came Too Soon

    Right before the heartbreaking loss of her baby girl, Kimberley had already walked through a hard season marked by divorce and betrayal. Even in the midst of that pain, her pregnancy was normal, and there were no signs to prepare her for what came next.

    After visiting a women’s clinic and being told that nothing was wrong, her fiancé insisted they seek further medical care. There, Kimberley was told she was in labor at just 6 ½ months. Her liver enzymes were high, pointing to preeclampsia.

    Though doctors offered different ways to try to save the baby’s life, Kimberley soon found herself in the NICU. She described her baby girl as a fighter—underdeveloped but so strong.

    In the middle of this, one doctor was unpleasant in his bedside manner, which only added to the difficulty of processing such a fragile situation. After exhausting life-saving measures, Kimberley and her fiancé had to make the heartbreaking decision to not let their little one suffer in pain any longer.

    Kimberley described those days afterward as some of her darkest days. She felt as though a part of her had left with her baby girl.

    🙏 How God Carried Her Through

    But this is not the end of Kimberley’s story. She testifies that God brought her out—with the help of saints who prayed her through, called her out of that dark place, and reminded her that she was not alone.

    Her story is one of loss, love, and God’s sustaining grace.

    ✍🏽 Journal Prompts for Reflection

    • What’s one loss in my life that still feels “too soon”?
    • How do I invite God into the darkest parts of my grief?
    • Who are the “saints” in my life that God has used to pray me through hard places?
    • In what ways can I use my pain to encourage others?

    📖 Scripture to Hold On To

    • “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
    • “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3
    • “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5

    🌼 Healing Takeaways

    • Grief is real, and it is heavy, but God can carry what we cannot.
    • Prayer partners and community matter—healing often comes through the prayers of others.
    • Even in loss, our story can strengthen and teach others.
    • Victory still belongs to us, because Christ has already won.

    🎧 Replay Available Now. Youtube Soon
    You can rewatch Evangelist Kimberley Hudgens’ moving testimony on Facebook or YouTube coming soon. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16WCFgLkH4/

    💬 Join the Conversation
    Has Kimberley’s story touched your heart? Share your thoughts or words of encouragement in the comments below. Someone reading may need to hear your story of hope.

    Here are printable free resources for you to start your journey to healing today?

    Reflection Blog PodcastDownload

  • Soaring Above It All BLOG

    Tell yourself still I rise above it all!

    As I sit on my couch, I begin to think about the many challenges we all face — the ones that mold and shape each of us into the people we are becoming.

    Some experiences in life are beautiful. They’re filled with light, laughter, and peace — blessings that pour into our lives and remind us that God is good. These moments lift us, affirm us, and help us breathe easier.

    But on the other side of that coin, there are painful moments. There are hardships, heartbreaks, and wounds that run deep. There are things we didn’t ask for or expect — but they happened, and somehow, they still played a role in who we became.

    The truth is, life doesn’t promise us one or the other. We aren’t guaranteed only good or only bad. What we are called to do, though, is live in a way that’s wholesome — a way that honors God and honors others, regardless of the circumstances we face.

    If we’re being honest, we often learn more from our struggles than from our wins. Why? Because the hard things teach us how to stand, how to fight, how to surrender, and how to heal. They introduce us to something called resilience — the ability to rise, even when life tries to knock us down.

    Resilience says: “Even if it tried to take me out, I’m still here.”
    Resilience says: “It didn’t break me. It built me.”

    No, it’s not always pretty. Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes you rise with tears in your eyes and shaking knees. But you rise. You keep going. You keep becoming.

    Every time you choose to stand again — even after the world tried to bury you — you become a stronger, wiser, bolder version of yourself.

    You are not weak for what you’ve been through.
    You are powerful because of what you’ve overcome.

    You’re not just surviving. You’re becoming.
    And that, my friend, is a beautiful thing.

    💛 A Gentle Invitation to Reflect

    If this touched a tender place in you, take a moment. Pause. Breathe. Let God speak to your heart. Let Him remind you of who you are and who you’re still becoming. Get your journal or notebook out at this point!

    Reflection Blog Podcast (1)Download

    🖊 Journal Prompts:

    • What experiences — good or bad — have helped shape who I am today?
    • When have I shown quiet strength even when no one noticed?
    • How has JESUS carried me through something I thought I’d never survive?
    • What does resilience look like in my life right now?

    📖 Scripture + Truth to Hold On To:

    “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him…” — Romans 8:28
    “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…” — Isaiah 43:2
    “The righteous fall seven times, and rise again.” — Proverbs 24:16

    You are not what happened to you.
    You are who God is helping you become.

    💬 Let’s Talk

    I’d love to hear your heart.
    In the comments below, feel free to share your story.
    What shaped you? What helped you rise? What are you still pressing through?

    Your words might be the exact encouragement someone else needs.

    Let’s rise together. One day, one step, one healing moment at a time.

  • Unwarranted Incest

    Soaring Above It All Blog

    Unwarranted Incest — A Conversation with Evangelist Melba Robinson (Part 1)
    Soaring Above It All Blog

    Join us every second Tuesday of the month for real, raw, and restorative conversations that speak to the heart.
    This post recaps Part 1 of our June 10, 2025, episode, aired at 8:00 PM.

    Last Tuesday, we were blessed to have Evangelist Melba Robinson join us to share some of her powerful testimony—real life experiences that shaped who she is today.

    The episode was titled “Unwarranted Incest,” and Melba was honest, vulnerable, and spirit-led in how she shared the layers of her story.

    She began by sharing with us her childhood experiences. Melba was born to great parents and raised in a military family. As an Army brat, she traveled often, and she had a special bond with her sister. They loved playing together as kids. With a smile, Melba said, “I was a prissy little girl.”

    Even with all she’s been through, she reminded us:

    “All things were not bad.”
    “We had good times too.”

    That statement is so important. We need to remember that life can hold both joy and pain—and God is present in both.

    A Battle: Trichotillomania

    As a young child, Melba was diagnosed with Trichotillomania (pronounced trick-oh-till-oh-MAY-nee-uh), a mental health condition that causes an overwhelming urge to pull out one’s own hair—usually from the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

    It’s not simply a bad habit. Trichotillomania is a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) and often a response to emotional distress or trauma.

    For Melba, it became a soothing mechanism—a way to numb herself when she felt overwhelmed or helpless. She explained that she’s a natural problem solver, and when she couldn’t “fix” something in her life, that frustration would trigger the pulling behavior.

    Is Trichotillomania a Trauma Response?

    Yes, it can be.

    While not always rooted in trauma, it’s often linked to:

    • Stress and anxiety
    • Emotional overwhelm
    • Past trauma or loss
    • The need to regain control

    For some, the act of pulling hair becomes a self-soothing behavior—similar to other compulsive actions people use to cope with deep, unresolved pain.

    How It’s Diagnosed and Treated

    Trichotillomania is classified under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the DSM-5. Key symptoms include:

    • Repetitive hair pulling that causes noticeable hair loss
    • Repeated attempts to stop or control the behavior
    • Significant emotional distress or impairment in daily life

    Treatment options may include:

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Habit Reversal Training (HRT)
    • Medication (such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety prescriptions)
    • Support groups or Christian counseling

    Compassion Through Experience

    Melba shared that, because of her past, she has developed a deep compassion for people who cope in different ways—through drugs, alcohol, or destructive behaviors. She understands what it means to be hurting and just trying to survive.

    She also spoke about how her innocence was taken, and in her later years, she discovered that unseen anger had been buried inside her for a long time.

    One of the most powerful things she said:

    “Sometimes we self-punish by hurting ourselves more than anyone else ever could.”

    Let that sit with you for a minute. How many of us are walking around with silent pain, responding to past wounds in ways we haven’t even named yet?

    ✍🏽 Journal Prompts to Help You Reflect

    • What parts of my story have I tried to numb, hide, or ignore?
    • In what ways have I punished myself for things that were never my fault?
    • How have I been coping—silently or visibly—with unresolved pain?
    • What would healing look like for me if I permitted myself to start?

    📖 Scripture & Truth from Melba’s Story

    • “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
    • “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3
    • “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” — Genesis 50:20

    🎧 Replay Available On facebook
    You’ll be able to rewatch this powerful conversation on Facebook or then on YouTube June 30, 2025. Stay tuned for the replay link and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

    Reflection Blog Podcast (1)Download

    💬 Let’s Continue the Conversation
    Has Evangelist Melba’s story touched a part of your heart? Leave a comment below with your thoughts or share your own moment of breakthrough. You never know who might be encouraged by your words.

  • Soaring Above It All Blog-Self-Pleasure VS. Purity

    On May 13, 2025, at 8:00 PM, we sat down with Evangelist Angela Nabriat for a powerful, transparent conversation on Soaring Above It All. Part I: The topic? What does it mean when God says, “I forgive you” Part II: And what happens when we say yes to God, but hold on to things that weaken our surrender?

    Evangelist Angela shared with honesty and boldness. She spoke to the struggles many face in singleness — especially the ones we don’t always talk about in church. She revealed how we often say we’re waiting on the Lord to send our husband, yet still leave a placeholder in our bed.

    That placeholder, as she bravely explained, came in the form of self-pleasure(sex toys that were battery operated) — a habit formed from sexual experiences before choosing abstinence or celibacy. She called it what it was: a temporary fix that actually trains our bodies to choose pleasure over purity. Her words hit deep:

    “The more we feed the flesh, the harder it is to submit our will to serve as pure vessels before the Lord.” Evangelist Nabrait

    Her honesty broke chains. The captives were set free, delivered just by hearing that they weren’t alone in the fight. She shared how it took years for the Holy Spirit to help her break free from those hidden habits — and how true healing didn’t happen overnight. But when it did, her life changed.

    Eventually, she met a man of God who honored her process. He courted her, proposed, and they are now married. But in her testimony, she confessed something we all needed to hear:
    Even after receiving the promise, she forgot the One who gave it.

    She admitted that once she had the man, she started putting God second — not intentionally, but gradually.

    I lost sight that God didn’t just bless me with a man — He blessed me with a testimony that was meant to lift Him up.

    📝 Journal Prompts

    • What are the “placeholders” I’ve allowed to remain while saying I’m waiting on God?
    • Am I truly surrendered, or have I let certain habits rule over my will to be pure?

    📖 Scripture Reflections

    • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (KJV): “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.”
    • Romans 12:1 (KJV): “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

    🎥 Watch the Replay

    https://www.facebook.com/laquanza.robinson/videos/726759706447106 May 30, 2025 Youtube “Premiere”

    💬 Share Your Thoughts

    This blog is where the conversation continues.
    What resonated with you? What are you still wrestling with? Drop your thoughts or encouragement in the comments below — you never know who it might help. FREE journal pages BELOW!

    Reflection Blog PodcastDownload

  • When God Says “I Forgive You”

    Soaring Above It All Blog

    When God Says “I Forgive You” Last Tuesday night’s podcast conversation with Evangelist Angela Nabrait shook something loose in the spirit.

    It wasn’t just her words—it was her honesty, her journey, her healing. And I truly believe this is the beginning of some deep, necessary conversations that will help us all get free.

    Angela shared that as a little girl, she was sickly—so sick that she had frequent nosebleeds and had to stay indoors while other kids played outside. But when healing finally came, she ran, jumped, played—everything she had missed. She didn’t just play to catch up on lost time… she played because she had tasted restoration.

    But life kept handing her battles. She got pregnant young. And for years after, she lived under a cloud of “not enough”—not good enough, not strong enough, not capable enough. But it wasn’t the world telling her that—it was her own thoughts. Her own mind became the battlefield.

    Then came the unthinkable. Her son Michael, full of light and love, was taken at just 19 years old in a car accident. Angela spiraled into a deep depression for three months… until God sent someone her way. A woman who had lost two children in the same way. That divine meeting showed her she wasn’t alone.

    But there was something else buried—something even deeper than grief. In 1982, Angela had an abortion. She didn’t talk about it. She barely even let herself think about it. But years later, at a church service, a woman turned to her and said, “God told me to tell you—He forgave you for what happened in 1982.”

    Angela said she wept from her soul. It was the kind of cry that only comes when something buried finally sees light. The shame she carried—the quiet belief that maybe God took Michael because she had taken His son—was shattered by truth. God had forgiven her. Fully. Lovingly. Finally.

    This is just the start of the conversation. And trust me—there’s more.

    Key Takeaways from Angela’s Story:

    • Sometimes the most damaging voice is the one in our own head.
    • Grief can blind us to the truth of God’s grace.
    • God will send people to remind us that we’re not alone.
    • What we bury deep, God still sees—and He offers healing anyway.
    • Forgiveness is not a feeling. It’s the truth. And God already decided.

    Journal Prompts to Help You Process: Get your Journal or your notebook out. Check out the introduction to receive the prompted questions

    • What’s something I’ve buried that still needs healing?
    • Have I ever believed that God was punishing me? Where did that belief come from?
    • Who has God sent in my life to remind me I’m not alone?
    • What does it mean for me to truly receive God’s forgiveness?

    Scripture Reflections:

    • “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” — Psalm 103:12
    • “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1
    • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

    Catch the Replay
    Did you miss this powerful conversation? You can watch it now on Facebook. YouTube will be at a later date.

    https://www.facebook.com/laquanza.robinson/videos/726759706447106

    Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
    What spoke to you the most from Angela’s story? Drop a comment below or share a word of encouragement for someone who might still be carrying shame. You never know who might need it.

    This is only the beginning. Let’s keep healing—together.

    Reflection Blog QuestionsDownload

Empowering Success Together

Achieve Your Goals with Our Guidance

We provide a transformational space to write, release, and rise. We want to help you reach new heights.

Get Started