How to Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses and Bless Your Life

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When is the last time you took an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses?

Do you feel like you’re swimming in jello? Maybe it’s because you are overwhelmed by a routine that is forcing you to get through the day using your weaknesses rather than your strengths.

I find that it’s easy for me to fall into practices where I feel like I’m barely in survival mode when I realize I’m trying to be like someone else . . . and that God didn’t make me to be them, He created me to be me.

And He created you to be you!

Paul wrote to the people in Corinth:

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

1 Corinthians 12:4–6

What are your strengths?

Are you reliable? Honest? Punctual? Are you a good listener? Kind? Cooperative? Are you hard-working? Energetic? Creative? Are you dependable? Discreet? Loyal? Are you sympathetic? Generous?

Are you gifted to lead? To teach? To comfort?

Maybe you’re not sure . . . you know how you would like to answer, but not sure if it’s true.

I believe knowing our strengths and weaknesses can help us in many areas of our lives so, let’s take a look at some questions that can help us learn our strengths and weaknesses. Seriously, wouldn’t you like to be able to use your strengths and maybe even improve some of the areas that aren’t?

Questions to help you determine your strengths:

On a scale of 1 to 10 if 1 = I strongly disagree and 10 = strongly agree, rate yourself on the following statements:

• I love to be in charge and make decisions.
• It’s important for me to stand up for what I believe.
• I love to solve problems.
• I’m good at coming up with new ideas.
• I love making new friends.
• I’m really neat and organized.
• I love working on group projects.
• I feel other people’s emotions.
• I love helping other people.
• I have a lot of energy.
• I love to encourage people.
• I look for the good in people.

Now list Your Top 3-5 Strengths – Based on your answers from the list above. Spend some time looking for areas in your life where you are using those strengths.

Then list Your Greatest Weakness – identify the problem areas you want to improve.

Remember, you were not created to do everything . . . God created you to be you! You may not be able to turn your weaknesses into strengths but each of us can make efforts to improve our areas of weakness that keep us from reaching our goals.

One more way I did a deep dive into learning my strengths and weaknesses was to learn my personality type by taking the Personality Plus Test and reading Personality Plus by Florence Littauer.

A Prayer to Live My Strengths
and Improve My Weaknesses

Father, Your Word tells me that You made me unique . . . wonderfully complex (Psalm 139:14) It says that You watched over me as I grew within my mother (Psalm 139:15), that You know the number of my days before they begin (Psalm 139:16), and that You created me for the plans and purposes You have for me (Romans 8:28).

Thank you for the blessing of knowing and loving You. Your Word says that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, I have been purchased “with a high price,” that Your Spirit lives within me, and that I have been created to honor You. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) You have given me specific strengths that I might honor You in this time and place.

Please help me use my strengths to lift You up and glorify Your name. May the people in my life see Your love in me. And when I fall short and allow my weaknesses to get in the way of all You want for me, please forgive me and help me so that I might improve those shortcomings and serve You as You desire.

I love You, Lord, and I want to live every day You give me with gratitude, faith, hope, and love that I might give You glory with all I do and say. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Paul wrote:

In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. 

Romans 12:6

And the Life Application Bible Notes add:

To use [our gifts] effectively, we must…

1. realize that all gifts and abilities come from God.
2. understand that not everyone has the same gifts.
3. know who we are and what we do best.
4. dedicate our gifts to God’s service and not to our personal success.
5. be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from God’s service.

Rick Warren began The Purpose Driven Life with the following words:

“It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.

If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose.”

So, let’s thank God for the gift of life, and let’s pause to know our strengths and weaknesses so that we glorify Him by accomplishing well the unique plans and purposes He has for each of us.

Because even if you’re having trouble identifying your strengths right now . . . you have them. God chose them specifically for you.

You were uniquely made by Him that You might live for His glory.

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