Focus on What’s Strong, Not Wrong - The Crosswalk Devotional - July 13
Focus on What’s Strong, Not Wrong
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:6-8, NIV
The well-being center where I work at George Mason University manages a popular program where students and employees take free assessments to learn what their personal strengths are and how to use those strengths well. We’re currently training students to be “strengths counselors”, as well, so their fellow students can get help from their peers to use their strengths to the fullest, both personally and professionally. Often, we hear from the people we serve that they had focused mostly on their personal weaknesses before they learned to focus on their strengths instead. They had worried about their weaknesses and limited their plans because they lacked confidence. But the more they paid attention to their strengths, the less their weaknesses limited them, and the more they were able to accomplish in every part of their lives.
Many people are taught from a young age to identify their weaknesses and to work on them, to fix what’s supposedly wrong with them. Maybe that happened to you. While it’s true that you can always grow and improve, focusing on your flaws can prevent you from seeing and using the unique strengths God has given you.
But what if you changed your focus? What if, instead of dwelling on what you perceive as “wrong” with you, you started celebrating and developing what’s strong with you? God has given you a unique mix of strengths for a purpose, and he wants you to use them!
Romans 12:6-8 urges you to identify your God-given personal strengths and put them into action. It doesn’t advise you to work on your weaknesses. Instead, it says to figure out what you’re naturally good at doing, and then do it!
God, your Heavenly Father, has designed you uniquely. When you spend too much time and energy trying to fix something that isn’t your natural strength, you might miss out on the incredible impact you could be making by using your God-given talents. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t pursue lifelong learning or overcome challenges. Of course, you should! But it’s important to have the confidence, and positive impact, that God wants you to have.
You can start to put your strengths into action by identifying them first – either through a formal assessment like people at my university do, or just by reflecting on what comes naturally to you, what you enjoy, and what others often say you’re good at doing. Then, you can embrace your uniqueness by letting go of comparisons and celebrating the distinctively wonderful way God has designed you. Finally, ask God to help you live into your purpose by giving you opportunities to use your strengths in every part of your life – your relationships, your work, and more.
As you use the strengths God gave you, he will help you overcome your weaknesses, so you won’t have to worry about them. When you focus on what’s strong, not wrong, you line yourself up with God’s design for your life. You can enjoy the freedom of being who you’re meant to be, and you can make wise decisions with confidence.
So, stop worrying about what you think is wrong with you, and start celebrating what’s strong with you!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how it’s important to focus on your God-given strengths, reflect on these questions:
- What are some of your natural strengths that you often overlook or take for granted?
- How has focusing on your weaknesses held you back in the past?
- When was the last time that you put one of your strengths into action? What happened as a result?
- What can you do this week to use one of your God-given strengths?
- How can embracing your strengths more fully help you to serve God and others in new ways?
Further Reading:
1 Peter 4:10
Ephesians 2:10
Philippians 4:13
2 Corinthians 12:9
Proverbs 18:16
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