Affirmations from Survivors in the Bible by Latishia James-Portis

**Affirmations from Survivors in the Bible**

**Latishia James-Portis**

Day 1 of 7: Introduction

Greetings Loved Ones,

I pray you are able to access as much ease as possible in these times and are finding joy and pleasure as often as you can. When the idea for this devotional series came up in my spirit, I was hesitant for some time. I wanted to do it justice and I wanted other survivors to know that while our struggles are not new, neither are our triumphs. Our legacies of healing are deeply rooted, and while we are a part of a family none of us ever wanted to be a part of, we are beloved by our creator(s) and worthy of taking up space.

Affirmations have been one way that I have engaged healing. Speaking life over myself and claiming those things that would be as though they already are. Particularly on days when I did not believe them, those were the days I recited them to myself the most. They became my own litany for survival and later helped me thrive.

As you journey through this devotional over the next 7 days, I encourage you to please take breaks and to be gentle with yourself. It is not required that you read the text associated with the devotional each day unless you want to. As a survivor, I understand reading about the accounts of other survivors can be triggering, and the intent of this devotional is not to retraumatize. Rather, it is to embolden and strengthen us all so that we may know that not only are we not alone, but we have also been speaking out for ourselves and others since the beginning.

These devotionals are written in the first person because far too many of us have been silenced, and the survivors of the Bible know this first hand. In this divinely inspired imagining, they bring themselves and share in the siblinghood of survivorship with us. They each offer affirmations for us to take with us on our healing journey. Some may resonate more than others, and that’s ok.

Use these affirmations as part of your apothecary of healing remedies. Invoke them when you need reminding of who and whose you are; commit them to memory to recite as a grounding and meditative practice when triggers arise. However you choose to use them, know that you are the living word and you are whole. You are sacred, and no one can take that away from you.

Towards wholeness,
Latishia aka Rev. Pleasure

Day 1 of 7: Introduction

Start reading this 5-day devotional in the app. Find it on the Featured shelf.