Notice that none of these are skill-based deficits. They are all inner issues at a soul level. We can learn skills, we can improve skills, but it’s what inside behind the skills that matters.
2. Diagnose What Is Deeper by Starting on the Surface With Practical Realities.
For example, I can still struggle with saying no to good opportunities to be helpful and that results in crowding out the few essentials that I am called and created to do.
Four Steps:
- Say it plain. Like this, “I have difficulty saying no.”
- What’s underneath that? There are several possibilities. Seeking approval. An insecure moment. Performance orientation.
- Understand deeper. These weaknesses often come from a good place, like the desire to develop people to their best potential, but can take over and crowd out the good.
- Consequence. Doing too much, results in doing far less.
Now I’m ready to re-embrace the remedy. When I return to the core of my calling- my purpose, passion, gifting and the lanes within my gifting, I’m crowding out weakness and embracing strength. That doesn’t always make my decisions easier, but it always makes them clearer.
3. Allow Your Strengths to Instruct Your Weaknesses.
Build on your strengths rather than getting stuck in your weakness.
We can’t ignore our weaknesses because we never completely overcome them. That requires perfection, which is not human. But we can learn to live above our weaknesses and begin to crowd them out.
Living above your weakness and crowding them out requires a certain amount of consistency in focusing on your strengths.
Be just as honest about your strengths as you are courageous about identifying your weaknesses.
- Own your strengths with confidence, not apology. What are you good at?
- What inner strengths or character traits support what you are good at? Discipline? Passion? Conviction? Hard work? Compassion? Faith? Confidence? Kindness? Others?
- Does your primary work leverage your strengths? It takes time in your career work to focus exclusively on your strengths, that’s part your growth journey. But you can start to head in the right direction now.
- What triggers your weaknesses that can derail your focus on strengths and your best contribution? This is where your strengths “instruct” or reprogram weaknesses so they can no longer contaminate or crowd out your best leadership. Know the triggers and stay out in front of them.
4. Receive the Kindness of God in Accepting His Power so Your Weakness Becomes Strength.
Receiving the kindness of God and His power often begins by accepting what He has already provided. We usually don’t need to look for more to get started, just lean in to what has already been placed before us.
There is so much of God’s depth, richness and blessing within the body of Christ. The body works together in unity for the good of God. We were never designed to lead alone. Don’t resist help sent by God, look for it and receive it.
None of us can lead on our own, we need a group of insiders that we deeply trust, will accept their counsel, receive their support, and submit to their accountability. This is one of the ways we receive God’s blessing and power.
God also gives power through the Holy Spirit directly from Him to you. This does not depend on performance but only relationship. It’s personal. The closer the intimacy and obedience, the greater your inner strength.
I pray for God’s strength within you!
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
