Now discover your strengths
Many people think that the best way to improve themselves and achieve excellence is to work on their weaknesses. And, yes, there is an aspect of completing God’s workmanship in us which involves that, but I think too many people look at the weaknesses, rather than their strength.
In our section on “Heart,” one of the areas that we focus on is, in fact, discovering and than building upon your strengths.
There are a couple of things that are important to understand in this area, so let’s take a look at the verse in Romans 12:4-8:
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
The two key ideas which I try to elaborate on in our complete 40-day program are:
1) God has given you the ability to do certain things well
You may not be aware of it. Or you are aware of them, but aren’t really using them. Which brings us to the second point.
2) He wants us to focus and use them in the service of others
Look at the verse actions for each gift. “If it is giving, give generously.” “If you are a teacher, teach well.” In other words, fully into your strengths, rather than expending energy on your weaknesses.
So how practically does that work?
I think one way is to take tests, such as they Myers Briggs personality test. That can start to give you a sense of who you are. The Strength Finders tests is also one specifically designed to identify what your strengths are.
The other is to be aware of areas that you experience joy. “If you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” I don’t think it just applies to those who are kind — is there something you find yourself totally lost in? Then it’s a sign that it’s a strength.
Really, even though we cover it only in one day, Day 15 of the 40 Day Program, you could probably spend a lifetime honing your strengths.
But I think beginning now and making it a priority is key. Because every minute and hour spent in your strengths builds you up.
Remember: “each member belongs to all the others” — your strengths belongs to you, and vice-versa. That creates a powerful dynamic in God’s abundant economy.
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Why renewing your mind can save your life
As an expansion of Day 3 from our “40 Days” program, I’ve been reading a book which has some good things, albeit at times a little cheesy. “The Magic of Thinking Big” caught my attention because I believe the biggest thought we can contain comes right out of our Day 3 Lesson, and that is God and what God thinks is our best.
In this book, he quotes from a meeting he had with the head of a psychological consulting firm. He said that many people could be lifted from pain and malady if they did this:
“Simply this: destroy their negative thoughts before those thoughts become mental monsters.”
Mental monsters are as much as conforming to the world as anything else.
The example of someone using a secular exercise was to take a woman who was depressed and borderline mentally disturbed was lifted up by listing three things to be happy about.
No medication. Just pulling pleasant thoughts and focusing on those for three months changed her around.
If such proof of the power of the mind works in the secular world, why can’t we just take those steps and understand what God has in mind for us?
Where does it say we should be creating our own mental monsters of unhappiness and suffering when they are creations of our own thoughts?
I look back and think the lesson and exercises in Day 3 are a powerful foundation in what God really wants us to think.
There are other ways in which the “renewal of your mind” can impact your life, longevity, and even your impact in the world.
