Do THIS to OVERCOME Trauma & DISCOVER Your Inner Power! w/ Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts

Added: Apr 25, 2024

In this podcast episode, pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts shares her journey of overcoming feelings of abandonment and rejection to step into her power and inspire millions of lives around the world. In her book "Power Moves: Ignite Your Confidence and Become a Force," she empowers individuals to tap into their own power and be a force for good in their own lives.

Overcoming Fear of Power

Roberts believes that people are often afraid of their own power because they fear the responsibility and expectations that come with it. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and sincerity in harnessing one's power, rather than succumbing to pressure, performance, or perfection. By being true to oneself and embracing authenticity, individuals can step into their power and make a positive impact in the world.

Dealing with Critique and Insecurities

Despite facing criticism and insecurities, particularly around being perceived as successful due to her father's influence, Roberts has learned to navigate these challenges. She acknowledges the privileges and opportunities that have come her way but also recognizes the hard work and passion she has put into her own journey. By accepting both aspects of her identity, she has found a balance and refuses to let external opinions shake her confidence.

Vulnerability

Roberts highlights the connection between vulnerability and power, stating that one cannot exist without the other. She explains that powerful individuals are often in a position of extreme vulnerability, as they take risks, try new ideas, and expose themselves to the world. She believes that vulnerability is a source of strength and authenticity, allowing individuals to connect with others on a deeper level.

Roberts shares a vulnerable moment from a speaking engagement where her wig started slipping, leading her to take it off in front of a large audience. Despite feeling embarrassed initially, she chose to continue speaking authentically and owned the moment. This act of vulnerability and imperfection resonated with many in the audience, showing the power of authenticity and owning one's true self.

Staying Grounded in Service

Roberts emphasizes the importance of staying grounded in service and focusing on the message rather than performance or ego. By reminding herself that she is there to serve and connect with others, she is able to overcome nerves and anxiety before speaking engagements. This mindset allows her to be present in her power and make a meaningful impact on her audience.

Overcoming Feelings of Powerlessness

Roberts acknowledges that she has spent a significant amount of time feeling powerless in her life. She highlights the importance of recognizing and sizing up one's fears, shame, doubt, and insecurities as powerful opponents that need to be addressed. By not normalizing these negative emotions and instead acknowledging their power, individuals can take steps to overcome them and step into their own power.

Roberts emphasizes the need to practice using one's voice and showing up in a powerful way, even if it means going against the patterns of fear and doubt. By identifying how fear and shame show up in one's life and practicing new ways of responding, individuals can begin to reclaim their power and move towards a more empowered way of living.

Roberts' Personal Journey of Empowerment

Roberts talks about how she became a teenage mother at the age of 14 and how she struggled with shame and judgment from society. She shares how she tried to perform her way out of shame by achieving external accomplishments like getting a degree, a house, and a marriage. However, she realized that these achievements did not erase her past and that she needed to confront her shame and forgive herself.

Roberts talks about how she gradually released her grasp on shame by embracing her past and seeing it through a lens of compassion. She realized that her teenage pregnancy was a result of feeling abandoned and rejected, and she started to forgive herself for her past choices. She emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and self-compassion in moving towards empowerment.

Making Power Moves

Roberts introduces the concept of "power moves," which she defines as actions that ignite confidence and become a force in one's life. She emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself, understanding one's strengths and weaknesses, and being accountable for one's actions. She encourages individuals to make intentional decisions that align with their values and goals, even if it means turning down opportunities that do not resonate with their beliefs.

Defining Success and Power

Roberts highlights the importance of defining success and power for oneself, rather than conforming to external standards or expectations. She shares her own experience of writing a book not with the goal of hitting a bestseller list, but with a focus on exploring the concept of power and empowerment. She encourages individuals to define what success means to them and to protect their own definition of success, rather than seeking validation or approval from others.

Relationships and Emotional Safety

The conversation shifts towards relationships, with Roberts discussing the importance of emotional safety and communication in intimate relationships. She emphasizes the need for individuals to feel safe within themselves before they can feel safe in a relationship. She suggests asking partners about their shared expression of faith, their past traumas, and what brings them joy as important questions to ensure alignment and understanding in a relationship.

The World and Prayer

Roberts reflects on the current state of the world and the role of prayer in addressing global challenges. She emphasizes the importance of individuals taking ownership of their corner of the world and being willing to engage in what they can control. She encourages individuals to ask themselves what they need to see and who they need to be in order to address the issues they observe, highlighting the power of individual action and responsibility.

Advice from Future Self

Roberts imagines receiving advice from her future self, ten years down the line. She envisions her future self advising her to be present in every moment, plan as if each moment will last forever, and prioritize meaningful relationships. She also warns her present self to be wary of other people's agendas and to ensure that any partnerships or collaborations align with her values and goals.

Defining Greatness

Roberts defines greatness as trusting one's authenticity and constantly questioning if one's actions and decisions align with their true self. She emphasizes the importance of being authentic in relationships, creations, and introductions to others.

Videos

Full episode

Episode summary