Her Story: Ify Ikekhua
her |həː, hə| pronoun 1 used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a female person : Her spirit was powerful and strong.
Wow. What an inspiring and powerful evening at Equipped by Faith! Last night, my new friend Ify Ikekhua brought such a presence of power as she shared her stories of living in domestic abuse and reminded us that we alone have the responsibility to take dominion over the issues we face in our lives. Ify reminded us that we have the choice to be bitter or better. We can choose poison or purpose. Light or darkness. We left Equipped by Faith last night ready to dominate in all areas of our lives!
Ify is not only a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and speaker—but she is the soon to be author of the inspirational book, “TAKE DOMINION” releasing next month, November 22, 2018. The book was inspired by Ify's move from Nigeria, Africa to the United States in 2009 when she found herself in an abusive marriage. She had to make the choice—to live or to die, and decided that her life was worth so much more than she was living for. She and her children left the abuse and walked into a life filled with purpose and destiny. Now, Ify encourages women to follow after their hopes and dreams in order to take dominion over every aspect of life.
I am so inspired by Ify’s story and that she has taken the darkest season of her life and turned it into the brightest. What should have destroyed her is now becoming the launching pad that is igniting her passion, destiny, and purpose. I can’t wait to read her book when it releases next month!
To hear more, read through our Q&A with Ify below!
Q&A with Ify Ikekhua
1. What do you think you were put on this earth for? What is your biggest dream?
I believe God has called and equipped me to minister the good news to those who are hurting from the loss of a loved one, domestic abuse, divorce, or separation so they can become all that God has created them to be. My purpose is to help people birth their dreams, despite what they have been through. I want to see people set free from the hurt of past relationships. I want to see the wounded healed. I want to see the broken put back together again. I want to see the hopeless restored. God has given me a unique path, so I can help others experience freedom from the shackles that have held them bound.
2. What are some of the obstacles you have had to go through to get to this point?
I had a wonderful childhood experience and I never experienced any real obstacles until I became an adult. It started in 2005 when my sister was involved in a horrible accident that almost claimed her life, shortly followed by the death of my father in 2007. For the first time in my life, I felt robbed. My father and I were great friends. He had a special kind of love for me. My father gave me the audacity to be myself. Because of the way he raised me, I’ve never felt intimidated by greatness. He made me believe that greatness is attainable. In 2008, I got married and relocated to the United States the following year. Shortly after, in 2013, I was divorced and became a single parent. A year after that, I lost one of my brothers. All these traumatic events left me broken, hurt, and angry.
3. What motivates or inspires you?
I am inspired when I hear stories of people who have been through something traumatic that should have kept them down but they chose to get back up. Those who refused to let their past become their reality. Those who survived what should have taken them out. I am motivated by people who are living on purpose.
4. What do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for my service to others. A quote by Dr. Martin Luther King that inspires me in this area is, “Everyone can’t be famous but everyone can be great because greatness is determined by service.” I have been blessed by the service of others to me and I desire to pay it forward. I have had people in my life that were a bridge, helping me cross over to the other side. I desire to be a bridge for others so they too can overcome whatever may be confronting them.
5. What advice would you give other women searching for their purpose, passion, & faith?
I will say to them seek the Kingdom of God, trust the Lord, believe in yourself, and seek godly counsel.
Seek the Lord: Matthew 6:33, NKJV says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Your passion, purpose, and faith is found in Christ. God is the only One who can reveal your purpose to you. Everything you will ever need is found in Him.
Trust in the Lord: Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV says, “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” You cannot fulfill your purpose without God. God is the author and finisher of your faith. You need Him and He is waiting on you to call on Him. When you draw near to God, He will draw near to you.
Believe in yourself: You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). You were made in the image and the likeness of God. When God calls you, He equips you. You already have all it takes to fulfill the purpose of God for your life.
Seek godly counsel: Proverbs 9:9, NKJV says, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” The path you are on have been traveled by many however it is your responsibility to seek out those who have gone ahead of you. Seek counsel from those whose foundation is rooted in Christ.
6. What has been your greatest achievement in life?
My greatest achievements are knowing Christ (salvation) for myself and the discovery of my purpose on earth. I have realized that there is no profit in gaining the whole world and losing my soul (Mark 8:36). Knowing that God lives in my heart and that I am doing exactly what he created me for is the greatest feeling I have ever experienced.
7. How does what you do reflect what God placed on your heart to share with the world?
I share my story to minister healing to the broken hearted. Sometimes all we need to get back up after a fall is to hear someone else tell us their story. I love to share my story because it gives others hope and it liberates me at the same time. After my divorce, I didn’t want to share my story because I was so embarrassed by it. The feeling of embarrassment stemmed from the negative interpretation I had given my experience. I felt like a failure, so my interpretation made me feel ashamed of my experience. I battled with this feeling of failure until I realized I had the power to change the narrative I was telling myself. I began to learn how to share my story in a positive way. If your story does not empower you, it can’t empower anyone.
8. What books are you reading?
Influence by Mike Hayes and Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell.
9. How do you stay encouraged & faith filled?
The Bible says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). I stay encouraged by studying the Word of God. I am a firm believer of what of the Bible says. I realize that my success in life is tied to God’s Word and so I spend time studying it. An instruction in the Word of God that I am constantly reminded of is found in Joshua 1:8, NKJV, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” I realize that everything I need is found in Jesus. No wonder the Bible says to seek Him first and everything else shall be added unto us (Matthew 6:33)!
10. Favorite scripture of the moment (or ever)?
Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV) “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
I hope you enjoyed these inspiring and powerful words from Ify. I can’t wait to see you next month at Equipped by Faith with Suzy Lamb!
XO-
Sabrina
PS: We also have several women’s conferences coming up in the Dallas area—check them out on our calendar page to get involved or registered!