It’s natural for leaders to let their strengths shine. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting God-given gifts to flourish for the sake of the Lord and His kingdom. It’s also natural to want to hide weaknesses. But God urges us to embrace them so His power can be seen.
During a recent community-building time, our leadership team talked about our God-given strengths. We each shared a story that demonstrated how our gifting made a difference in someone else’s life. It was a warm, fuzzy time and we all felt good about ourselves. We almost broke out in “Kumbaya, My Lord.”
But then we began talking about the dark side of our strengths. I remembered a quote from a college professor: “Our greatest strength is also our greatest weakness.” I shared that as an exhorter I am very open and loving toward others. Whether it’s the woman in line behind me at Walmart or the man on the moon – I view almost everyone as a soon-to-be friend.
The downside to my porous heart toward others is that I’m also very open to others’ opinions of me – or at least my perception of their opinions. The danger of this, of course, is that I can allow man’s view to overshadow the truth of God’s view of me.
No one likes to feel weak, and God doesn’t leave us high and dry in our weaknesses, but He does allow them and for good reason.
1. They’re humbling. (A great thing for leaders!)
2. They’re God-ordained to keep us dependent on Him.
3. They’re a counterintuitive way for God’s strength to be revealed.
1. Jot down your top two or three strengths.
2. Prayerfully ask God to show you the corresponding weakness for each.
3. Accept your limitations as something God is sovereign over.
4. View weakness as an opportunity for God’s power to be perfected within you.
5. Move forward in your deficiency, instead of holding back – asking and trusting God to be your strength.
Think about it – your strengths and giftings come from God. They’re not innate within you – they’re God-ordained. He also permitted you to have weaknesses. I believe God gives us strengths with built-in limitations so we’re forced to depend on Him and others in the body of Christ.
My susceptibility to others’ perceptions forces me to remain grounded in my identity as God’s beloved daughter. I’m grateful for this propensity because it gives me a reason to really dig into God’s Word in this area and intentionally own and re-own its truths.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9b &10b, “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
So whether you’re operating in a God-given strength, or receiving God’s power to move forward in weakness – either way it comes from God. He gets the glory. And remember – when you embrace your weakness you showcase God’s strength.
“When you embrace your weakness you showcase God’s strength.”
- Lisa Hosler
What is one of your strengths and its corresponding weakness? Feel free to share in the Comment Section below.
