Do you know your value? If not, you might want to continue reading.
While on Facebook I saw a post about the I am a Pearl Women’s Empowerment Conference that was being held in Chicago. My main peeps who usually attend spiritual conferences with me all had infants to tend to, so I went by myself. I was super excited to stretch myself, meet new peeps, and connect with God.
It was a great experience. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, real, playful, and loved Jesus.
I attended 4 sessions that educated me and helped me dig deeper into my own journey. Below are the highlights I took away from each session. I hope that as you read through this it triggers some awareness in you to dig deeper looking at where you are now and where you want to go. Knowing that you are not alone and that healing can take place no matter what you’ve been through, not to mention, you can help others heal as well.
OVERCOMING YOUR PAST
Dr. Aqua Copeland did a great job talking about our value and where we allow it to come from. “Stop giving your power over to what others say or call you“, she said. Our value does not come from others, so why do we so easily allow others to determine our value? Why do we not allow God, the one who designed and created us to determine our value? Who are you allowing to determine your value?
Dr. Copeland talked to us about our story. Our story is not our own. We are to learn and heal from our experiences so that we can share and help others heal.
• Accept your past – you can’t change it. Heal from it so you can move forward.
• Allow God to shape your future – we can’t move forward if we are always looking back.
• Speak out – share what you have been through so you can help others heal and move forward.
Questions to ask yourself:
1. What are the most painful areas of my life?
2. What steps do I need to take to forgive someone who has hurt me deeply?
3. Do I have any unresolved guilt for something I have done?
I found this quote from Dr. Copeland very interesting…“You are as sick as your secrets.” What secret lies within you that is hindering you from being all you are meant to be – mentally, physically or spiritually?
What is your story?
IMPROVING YOUR PRESENT
Minister Esther Renee Wright gave us these tips below for improving our present:
• Don’t settle. Don’t stay stuck.
• Where you take you, you take you.
• Never discount where you are. You are a miracle.
• You are valuable and beautiful, stop comparing!
• When you value yourself, others will value you.
“When you stop being who you are, you make you miserable“, said Esther. Do you even know who you are and why you are here?
Esther had a great break down of what fear is:
F = False
E = Events
A = Appearing
R = Real
What do you think of this? Are you living in fear? Not allowing yourself to be all you are meant to be?
PREPARING FOR YOUR FUTURE
Marcie Wilson, helped us think about our future with the insights below:
• In spite of my flaws, Jesus is using me.
• I am uniquely gifted.
• Not embracing your gifts is a tragedy.
• You can hold the key to someone else’s destiny. Let God use you and your flaws.
“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.” – Eph 1:11-12
I exist to empower and inspire women to wellness (having a strong and healthy mind, body and spirit). And to speak life and truth into them.
Why do you exist?
When what you love to do (passion) lines up with what you are called to do (purpose) you are living the life God intended for you to live (abundance life).
Own your own uniqueness. No one can be you!
PASSIONATE PRAYER
Wynter Patterson (picture of her and I above), founder of I am a Pearl Ministries (a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women throughout the world) challenged us on our prayer life. Here are some of her tips.
Passionate prayer is not a routine, it is not a ritual. Passionate prayer is:
1. Devotion to prayer
2. Persistence in prayer
3. Fervency in prayer
A great prayer model Wynter talked about and one I have used is: ACTS + I
A = adoration (loving Jesus, worshipping him)
C = confession (repentance – turning away from our sins)
T = thanksgiving (praise)
S = supplication (to ask)
+
I = intercession (listen – who do I need to pray for)
In Philippians 4:6 it says that we are to pray about everything.
I know I always feel better and my day goes better when I sit and pray.
I hope this recap of my spiritual retreat nudged something inside of you to dig deeper into your own spiritual growth, wherever you’re at. Wynter’s book I am a Pearl – A Womans’ Guide to Understanding her Pain, Process and Purpose is a great book to read if you’re struggling to love yourself or if you don’t understand how valuable you are.
Be you! There is no one like you!
Shine Brightly,
Ali
