If there is fear in your life, you have to deal with it, Prophet Janet L. Newell said last Saturday during a spiritual seminar for women.

Mrs. Newell, Farrell, was one of several presenters to speak at a summit, "You Are a Woman of Excellence," sponsored by Women Walking in Deliverance in the Word Ministry of Sharon.

"You Are a Woman of Excellence" was aimed at discussing issues like low self-esteem, self-worth, fear, intimidation, rejection and other problems facing women. Mrs. Newell said these issues are "taboo topics" that sometimes aren't covered in the church.

Mrs. Newell said when she was younger she faced many issues dealing with fear and self-worth. She said while growing up, she was afraid of cats, dogs, trees and people, and this fear festered and came to affect her later in adult life -- until God delivered her.

"We have to hold seminars about this to teach people," she said.

Mrs. Newell, along with Minister Carol Yablonosky of Youngstown and Prophet Angela Austin, Farrell, each discussed ways to overcome life's hindrances by using teachings from the Bible and their own experiences.

Mrs. Newell said it was God's word that eventually helped her to overcome her fears.

"God gave me strength to stand up to my fear. I had low self-esteem, low self-worth, but God destroyed that yoke of bondage and set me free. God created us in his image and God isn't fearful. He isn't afraid of anything. We have to know that God didn't make any junk," Mrs. Newell said.

Mrs. Newell said feelings of "I'm not good enough" and "I'm not good at anything" are hindrances. She said people tend to learn how to operate around these feelings without ever standing "toe to toe" and dealing with them.

"You can't go to the next level with these issues. You have to face them, stand face to face with them. There is hope," she said.

"The price I paid will hopefully bring someone out so that they don't have to go through what I went through. I got desperate. I didn't know my name, but I know my name now."

The seminar was held at Sharon's Premier Hotel in Hermitage.

The speakers referred attendees to a variety of Biblical scriptures to help in dealing with the issues being discussed.

Miss Yablonosky, who ministers to people in jails, said she used to be shy, but received confidence after she was "saved by God."

"God will work with us where we are. He won't leave us where we are. People will hurt people, but you must know who you are in Christ and stand strong in the word. We're supposed to follow God's example," she said.

She said it helps to "speak to your shortcomings" in order to deal with them and never "doubt in your heart."

Mrs. Newell, who founded WIND in the Word, said the outreach ministry initially started out small and was called Rivers of Living Water. She said the ministry has grown and God continues to use her to help others.

"We are women of excellence. It doesn't matter what we have gone through or what we've done to other people. I want to let people know that Jesus still saves, delivers and sets people free," she said.

Gerrie Smith of Cleveland said she was happy she decided to attend the seminar after being invited by her sister.

"It was awesome," she said. "I'm involved in an outreach ministry in Cleveland and I know that God uses us. There are so many men and women out there who don't know about the love of God."

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharon-herald.com