Do you ever feel you are lacking, that others possess qualities that you don’t? If so, you have failed to recognize your strengths.
It’s common for us to compare ourselves to others and focus on what we view are our personal weaknesses. However, we all have strengths.
Following are ways to recognize your strengths and talents, and then utilize them:
Inventory What You Do Well and Enjoy
It may seem simple, but taking stock of what you do well and enjoy is a good starting point for discovering your strengths. I know, there are some of you reading this who are thinking I don’t do anything well. Yes, you do. But perhaps what you enjoy and do well doesn’t seem to you that it rates as a talent or strength. Blast that mindset!
Take time to inventory. Nothing is too small or simple to add to the list. Eventually, you will see a pattern and begin to understand your talents and strengths.
Ask Trusted Friends What They View in You
Often, we are blind to our strengths and talents. Trusted friends, or mentors, see in you what you can’t see in yourself. Perhaps you view your strength as a certain thing, but several friends point out the same different thing in which they see you excel. Pay attention. Ask them why they see that as a strength. Then, consider growing in that area.
Increase Your Knowledge
Maybe you think you don’t have what is necessary to use your strengths and talents. There is a remedy for that. First, recognize you need God to increase your knowledge and develop your strengths. Second, study what is necessary to do so. Then, ask God to show you how you can best utilize your gifts and talents.
Be willing to do the hard work of study and put that knowledge into action.
Admit Weaknesses and Enhance Strengths
Often, what seems like a glaring weakness to us goes unobserved by others. Have you been around those who constantly mention their physical flaws? Most of the time, we wouldn’t notice if they hadn’t pointed them out.
Admitting weaknesses to yourself doesn’t mean you have to ruminate on them or broadcast them to others. See weaknesses, accept them, but spend more time on recognizing talents and strengths and how and where you can best use them.
While it may seem counterintuitive, knowing your weaknesses helps you enhance your strengths.
Trust God to Help You
Often, insecurity and fear keep us from using our gifts and talents. Once again, comparison rears its ugly head and fear of criticism negates forward motion. When you recognize your strengths and talents, but don’t use them, you are turning your back on God-given gifts.
God is the giver of good gifts. Also, He is our strength. Recognize the power of your strengths in tandem with God’s strength, a formidable duo. Then, trust God to show you how, when, and where to put your strengths and gifts to work. You will be amazed what happens.
“Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]” (1 Peter 4:10 AMP).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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