Today we’d like to introduce you to Jewel Mills.
Hi Jewel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Grew up in a single parent home with 8 other siblings where our mother tried her best to raise us without my father being in my life until my adult years. We had our basic necessities met but it was very still hard to survive. For a long time, I struggled with rejection mainly from the wound of my father not being present, that led to people-pleasing and constantly trying so hard to meet others’ expectations. On the outside I looked to be “Okay” but internally I felt lost, unseen, insecure, and truly disconnected from who I really was.
That led me into some really dark places, emotionally- I battled with suicidal thoughts, wrestled with my identity and turned to things like pornography and sex as a way to cope and escape from reality. I did not know how to deal with what I was feeling, and I did not feel safe enough to express myself for help.
There came a point where I couldn’t keep pretending anymore. I was exhausted carrying every weight- mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
And that is where everything started to shift, Jesus found me!
My healing did not happen all at once or perfectly, but I began to encounter God in a real way that I never had experienced before. Not even from what I heard growing up, but through actually experiencing His presence, His truth and His grace. God showed me that my identity was in Him all along and I did not need to measure myself to anyone or anything.
Overtime He helped me overcome real freedom- from shame, from confusion, and constant pressure to be someone else. And that is why I created Rooted And Rising Mentoring for young adult women ages 18-25 who wants to be unstuck, women who feel lost, unsure of who they are, they simply want true freedom, healing and identity in Jesus!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road was not smooth, simply because I was afraid to let God in. I was afraid to fully trust in God for healing and was still holding onto negative patterns, the people pleasing and placing my identity in others like family members and friends. But overtime God kept showing his love and grace towards me and I began to fully surrender every weight I was carrying.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work for healthcare company in revenue cycle.
But my heart is to mentor the next generation of youth/young adult women.
I am currently volunteering with Big Brothers Big sisters’ program, and most proud of starting the online mentoring ministry for young adult women seeking- Healing, Identity in Jesus, and purpose.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Well, I am just starting out myself haha, but I would say just take each day as a new beginning, overcoming the fear and doubt was the biggest shift for me. Also to expressing your new endeavors to people who will support you as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.RootedAndRisingMentoring.com
- Instagram: rootedandrisingmentoring and precioussjewel_
- Facebook: Rooted and Rising Mentoring
- Youtube: @RootedAndRisingMentoring
- Other: tiktok @rootedandrising__
