Lori Smith never imagined she'd find herself sitting alone in a dark parking lot, tears streaming down her face, begging God for direction after her world collapsed. As publisher and executive editor of Life Media Group—a thriving media company with eight newspapers across Florida's Emerald Coast—Lori now radiates confidence and purpose. But the road to her current success required navigating through extraordinary pain.

"I lost everything," Lori reveals in this raw, emotional conversation with host Valerie Peterson. Her story unfolds as she details facing a painful divorce after a decade of trying to save her marriage, mourning her mother's death, enduring financial devastation, and relocating to a community where she knew no one—all simultaneously. The image of Lori crying in her car before work, during lunch breaks, and on the drive home paints a vivid picture of someone in pure survival mode.

The turning point came through divine intervention when, during her darkest moment, she heard God audibly release her from her marriage—a direction that contradicted everything she believed about divorce. This moment of clarity didn't eliminate her suffering but provided the permission she needed to move forward. Throughout this valley, Lori clung to specific worship songs that articulated her pain when she couldn't find words to pray, and to the promise that faith "the size of a mustard seed" was enough to sustain her.

What makes Lori's testimony particularly powerful is her transformation from brokenness to becoming what she calls a "marketplace minister"—someone who brings Christ's presence into professional settings without formal ministry credentials. Now leading a successful media company, she prays with clients, speaks hope into business relationships, and uses her platform to influence others for Christ. Her journey proves that our darkest moments don't define us—they can become the very experiences God uses to equip us for greater impact and purpose.

Ready to experience hope in your own journey? Listen to Lori's full testimony and discover how faith can sustain you through your darkest valleys. Connect with Lori at lori@lifemediagrp.com or visit MyDestinLife.com to learn more about her work in the community.

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