Everyday Warrior Women in Christ!

  Antoinette De Barr has been nominated as our Featured "W.W.I.C!"  Antoinette, is a 32-year-old Jesus loving single boy mum and dog mum. She is a writer, speaker and coach. De Barr has had the privilege of leading people from brokenness into a life full of hope, wholeness and freedom. She is passionate about Discipleship, Identity & Authority. Antoinette is also a psychology student. She loves adventures, running, hiking and being in nature especially by a body of water. She has a deep love of travelling, which pairs well with a heart for mission. De Barr also really enjoy's photography, cooking, playing piano and bible journalling.    

Testimony

Hello friend, I’m Antoinette, a regular, 32-year-old, Jesus loving, single mum. I’m also a writer, speaker and Life coach/mentor. My heart is to restore hope and help people discover their identity, authority and purpose! 

When I was 16, I met the Love of my life…Jesus and He turned my life around in the most unbelievable and extraordinary way. I can’t help but get emotional with an overwhelming sense of gratitude thinking back to who I was back then. The truth is I had no clue who I was. I was a broken mess, ridden with shame, defined by lies, abused in all areas and my identity and voice suppressed by it all. I had no purpose, no direction, no hope! Self- hatred was my companion and self-harm and suicide my only freedom. 

The hopelessness and despair plagued me.  Fear was a blanket over my life… Fear of what people thought about me, fear of what I thought about myself, fear to be seen, fear to be heard, fear to trust, fear to love, fear to be loved… you name it, my life was drenched in fear. I’d heard a lot about religion but NO WAY! That was not for me…no chance! A God that allowed so much pain and suffering? I wasn’t interested in that religion. 

But the funny thing is, I don’t know about you, but when I was in pain, hurting, broken, lost… prayer is what I turned to, even though I didn’t believe in God. I wanted to believe in an idea of God… just someone that could help me… So, there I was, a 16 year old broken mess on my bedroom floor. Abused and downing in my own dysfunctional thoughts that somehow death seemed better than life. I just wanted the pain to stop. In desperation I cried out “God, if you are real, please show yourself to me” … and boy did He!! Not instantly, there was no flash of lighting and everything didn't change at once.

 At the time, I had no idea how profound those few little words were. I had no clue about the journey I was about to embark on! God came into my life and completely transformed it! I learned that how I had perceived religion wasn’t true religion at all. I discovered how when I was hurt and abused, God's heart was breaking watching his daughter suffer. I learned that He created me in His mind before He placed me in my mother’s womb – He wanted me, before I was even born.  He accepts me exactly as I am, He loves me unconditionally, exactly as I am. When I felt I was worthless, Jesus thought I was worth dying for. He says that I am wonderfully and fearfully made! He says that He loves me with an everlasting love and nothing… absolutely nothing can separate me from His Love! When you encounter the Love of God, your life will NEVER be the same again! And I encountered it! 

I found a love like no other, a joy that was indescribable, a peace unexplainable and a Hope beyond comprehension… and I was NEVER letting go! The process and journey of healing and being set free has not come easy. There is pain in shedding the baggage of our pasts. I’ve had to do the work and it’s messy! There’s been a lot of learning and a whole lot of unlearning. Unlearning dysfunctional behavioral patterns and toxic thoughts. And learning to make healthy decisions and live with the mind of Christ. A rewiring of the brain. I’m not going to lie to you… it’s not easy…  BUT… it is COMPLETELY worth it! 

To live in wholeness, in freedom from fear, free from shame, healed from the pain and learning to love myself and even more… to like myself. Breaking the power of the lies spoken over me. Living with Hope and a purpose!  Life is always going to have its ups and downs. Good times come and hard times come. We have moments of joy and celebration and moments of grief and pain. Life doesn’t automatically flick a switch and become wonderful when you meet Jesus… 

But walking life with Jesus gives you Hope, a Joy, and a security in knowing that we never journey this alone. I am living proof that you can be in the most painful of circumstances yet be filled with the most overwhelming Joy and Peace. I can’t imagine my life without Jesus and I’m so grateful I never have to!  He is my everlasting Father, my wonderful counselor, my prince of peace. My everything. And He is too good not to share! All that He has done in my life, He can do in yours too. You can live an abundant life full of Hope and purpose! No matter what you’ve done or what’s been done to you... none of that defines who you are! All it takes is a few simple words and your life will never be the same again…” God if you’re real, show me.” 

Feel free to reach out to me on my social media pages or my website below, I’d love to connect with you! 

~ Question Time ~ 

When asked: What does being a Warrior Woman in Christ mean to her? She replied: 

"To me, it means that I know the Authority and Victory I stand in, because of Jesus. That if I live my life truly surrendered to and trusting the will of God, He can use me as a warrior to bring others into His kingdom and live a life of freedom."

What piece of advice would you give women looking to start a relationship with the Lord?

 "I'd say, something I wish I had been told is; even with Jesus, life still has ups and downs. People (including Christians) can hurt you... But when you do life with God, you are never alone. You have a best friend alongside you that can give you a joy and peace no matter the circumstance. It is 100% the best decision I've ever made in my life."

If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?   

"Your past doesn't define who you are, it's only a part of the story!  Don't worry about what people think, just trust God even when it doesn't make sense. Worship is your weapon! He is your defender, protector and strength."

*Fun Nuggets

Favorite Scripture:

     Romans 8:28 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose." 

&

 Isaiah 61

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,     because the Lord has anointed me     to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,     to proclaim freedom for the captives     and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a] 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor     and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty     instead of ashes, the oil of joy     instead of mourning, and a garment of praise     instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness,     a planting of the Lord     for the display of his splendor.  

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins     and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities     that have been devastated for generations. 5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;     foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,     you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations,     and in their riches you will boast.  7 Instead of your shame     you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace     you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,     and everlasting joy will be yours.  

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;     I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people     and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants will be known among the nations     and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge     that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”  10 I delight greatly in the Lord;     my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation     and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,     and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up     and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness     and praise spring up before all nations."

Favorite Inspirational Song?

     Praise you in this storm by. Casting Crowns

Keep in touch! 

To follow and stay up to date with Antoinette check the following info below! 

♥️

Website - www.adiaryofhope.com 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/a_diary_of_hope 

FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/adiaryofhope