As we walk through this journey of life, there are many experiences we will encounter that will cause us to want to give up and not take another step. Challenges are going to come, and they show up in many different forms.

How does one deal with the devastating loss of a spouse, son, daughter, parent, divorce, job, and so much more? When life shifts you, pummels you, depletes you and knocks you down, what do you do? You must recognize that the important thing is not what has happened to you, but how you choose to respond. When crises hit my life, I only had two options; give up or hold on.

Giving up would have been so much easier. But I knew that if I decided to hold on, one day I would be able to tell others how I made it through.

Was it easy? Not at all! Persevering through my trauma was excruciatingly painful. I battled through an immense amount of mental stress and depression.

However, with the love and support of my family and friends, an undefeatable spirit and God's supernatural strength, I survived. It took resilience, fortitude and faith to move forward.

Through the process, I discovered I had strength that I never realized I had. Little did I know that all of this was a part of my purpose and destiny in life.

Now I have gained new hope and the blessed assurance that I am BUILT TO LAST!. .