Relationship to Self
We Celebrate Our Unique Selves
Each of us is a one-of-a-kind creation, lovingly formed with purpose and intention. Our journey begins by recognizing that we are not here by accident—our lives are meant to reflect the beauty and creativity of our Creator. As Scripture affirms in Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” This truth invites us to honor the sacredness of our existence and celebrate the individual calling woven into our being.
What We Believe Drives Us
Our personal growth is influenced by our feelings, reasoning, and choices. While emotions such as fear and anxiety often steer our actions, God provides us with something far more powerful: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) The convictions we hold in our hearts shape the way we speak and act, ultimately guiding our futures. Each thought we have triggers chemical changes in our brains, creating pathways that are further reinforced by our interactions and relationships.
To heal from emotional wounds, we must first identify and reflect on the barriers or false beliefs that keep us from living with purpose. These obstacles might include distrust, disbelief, doubt, fear, pride, anxiety, lack of forgiveness, envy, feelings of rejection, jealousy, feeling unloved, shame, harsh judgment, guilt, or helplessness.
If we cling to falsehoods and fail to confront them, they can form negative patterns in our minds that react to experiences throughout life. It’s important to recognize that events from our earliest years, as well as those from adolescence or adulthood, may have shaped who we are today. True transformation comes when we allow our thoughts, guided by the Spirit, to become more influential than the thoughts driven by our human nature. By embracing positive thinking and seeking out encouraging and supportive environments, we strengthen healthy habits. Developing self-awareness enables us to break away from harmful cycles and move toward personal and spiritual growth.
Defining Who You Are
Our true identity is not shaped by how we look, what we've accomplished, or the pain we've endured. We are not measured by other people's opinions, our performance or by our past failures. Rather, our identity is established through God's love and grace. According to Genesis 1:27, we are made in God's image—human beings meant to grow, pursue our highest potential, and live with a sense of being cherished and whole. Sometimes, I reflect on how we tend to highlight our differences, yet if an outsider from space were to observe us, they'd simply see members of the same human race. This is how God views us: as His creations, with no one being more important or elevated than another. Our value stems from a divine purpose, not from the changing expectations of society. When we accept this truth, we are liberated to live with authenticity and bravery.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others”.
Marianne Williamson (Used in Nelson Mandela's Inaugaration Speech)