“Even your hardest pain has purpose when it’s about something bigger than yourself.” – Grace Valentine
When we talk about Christianity or the Bible, other people usually go for the word “stuffy” or even “judgemental.” There are a lot of misconceptions about this, and Grace Valentine has made it her mission to clear things up and spread the word about how the Bible supports and actually lifts women up.
As a young woman, she found it so easy to get lost in the tide of life, feel invisible, and wonder if she even had a purpose in this world. Realizing otherwise made her appreciate the importance of knowing one’s worth and the fact that she is capable of doing big things.
Nowadays, if she’s not writing a new book, Grace spends her time posting relatable content online to her 120k+ followers on how not to succumb to peer pressure, how not to resort to people-pleasing tendencies, and how to really tap into your own persona.
All these and her other books really show that having faith is not lame but instead an adventure worth living. Grace shares with us practical steps on how to stop caring what others think, focus on what truly matters, and bridge transition periods to find deeper meaning within:
- Meditate. Not everyone believes in God for a lot of different reasons, and meditation is the closest thing to prayer that is non-denominational. Letting the higher power you believe in, no matter who or what it is, reach out through stillness. It is important to pause and spend moments alone and reflect on why you are here and why you are called to do what you do.
- Create your community. Having people who inspire and encourage you to press on closer to your goal is vital. It’s important to ask, “are the people around me bringing me down or pushing me up? Are they going where I want to go?” Often we think communities are found, but in reality they are created. Keeping people in and out of your life is always a conscious decision, and you get better at it as you grow older and get to know yourself more.
- Find your rhythm. Whether it was for career or just soul and self-care, finding healthy habits can definitely help you live a purposeful life. Get busy having so many hobbies you enjoy that you forget about overthinking comments and actions of people around you that do not contribute to your growth and progress.
- Be who you needed when you were younger. When you start living purposefully, it’s important to model and influence the people around you. Use past experiences—the good and all of the bad. This is also a great way to get peace with your past.
To learn more about Grace, her work, her books, and all the things she gets busy doing, check out the links below and listen to the full episode. 🎧 For this week’s giveaway, three lucky listeners get the chance to win a copy of her new book, What Will They Think? Nine Women in the Bible Who Can Help You Live Your Life Boldly!
