As I have been reading through Now Discover Your Strengths the authors pointed out that we usually define our weaknesses an area where we lack proficiency. This is not the best way to see our weaknesses, they redefine weakness as ‘anything that gets in the way of excellent performance.’ (P148)

 

Why do we think things are weaknesses? This quickly turns into negative thinking.

There is the example of what happens when a child comes home with a report card. Say they received it an ‘A’ in Math and Science but a ‘D’ in History and English. This shows us that they have a gift in math and science and a weakness in history and English. The tendency in this situation is to focus on helping them improve in the subjects they did poorly in rather than on helping them find their passion in what they are gifted at. If we focus on this child’s weakness in history and English they may begin to think negatively about their level of intelligence.

 

As a society we all want to be well-rounded people. In the workplace and in our education system we strive to make everyone achieve all areas.

This type of thinking can make us feel like we aren’t valuable if we are good in everything. Rather than focusing on strength we consider ourselves a failure when not living up to our standard.

 

I find myself insecure about my own strengths asking questions like am I too analytical, too visionary, too driven?

 

Instead of respecting my strengths and thanking God for them I wonder if they are too overwhelming for other people.

Can we respect the personality and strengths  God has given us?

 

Accept who God made you to be. Don’t label a character trait as a weakness, but use a weakness to direct yourself away from that path.

 

I used to try to make homemade cakes for birthdays. Prep time ranged from an hour to 4 depending on whether I was trying a new recipe or special frosting. I was never quite satisfied with the result of my work. Thinking that I needed more skill I signed up to take a cake decorating class. Yet I still wasn’t able to perfect the result. It was frustrating!

Then a light bulb went on. I don’t have to make a cake. Imagine that! I could just buy one. It saves me the time, frustration and feeling of failure. And I could tell myself, “I don’t have to be the best in everything. It’s ok to not make a homemade cake.”

 

God designed us each differently. Look at 1 Corinthians 12:14-19

So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts. 15 Suppose the foot says, “I am not a hand. So I don’t belong to the body.” By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body. 16 And suppose the ear says, “I am not an eye. So I don’t belong to the body.” By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell? 18 God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be. 19 If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body?

 

Remember no man is an island – we are all created for a purpose. Can we find who God made us to be?

 

Reflect on the things that make you feel good about yourself.

What things make you feel accomplished and alive.

Is there anything that you do which makes you frustrated over and over again?

What is it?

Think about what makes you frustrated. Is there a way you can stop doing that task or do it differently or could you ask someone who is good at that to help you?

 

Find what it is that you are good at and do it. God will use your gift /strength to bless other people. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in the areas you aren’t strong in. Don’t lament over your weakness. Rejoice in your strength. Click To Tweet

 

CS Lewis wrote, “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become-because He made us. He invented us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be. It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.

 

Focus on Him and He will show you who He created you to be Click To Tweet.

 

Lord, I thank You for who you have created me to be. Reveal to me the areas that you have gifted me so that I can better be used to serve You and will discover the purpose that you have for my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Naomi
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Thinking of Yourself in Terms of Strengths and Weaknesses
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