Discovering Your Gifts

Have you ever had one of those DISC profiles done where you answer dozens of questions in an attempt to discover your personality strengths?

I did for the first time last year. The one I did was a free version online and I understand that the paid one is more in depth. It was really eye opening. You’d think by the time you’re in your 50s, you wouldn’t be too surprised by these findings but I sure was. It seems that I’m a lot more assertive than I ever thought I was. The funny thing is, when I mentioned it to my son and his wife, they were both smiling and shaking their heads in agreement with the results. Hmmm. Of course, they quickly added that this was a good thing. Yeah, I’m not convinced that’s what they were trying to tell me!

It turns out that I’m good in a crisis (that one didn’t surprise me) and that I love to take charge. Bossy, any?? Must be that dislike of slow talkers. (Come on, spit it out already!) I like to assess the situation and discover ways to find a solution, quickly. No surprise there but it was the pull towards being a leader that did surprise me.

If you know me well, I’m uncomfortable in a crowd of people. I tend to hang back and well, assess things. Maybe I should’ve been a spy. Anyway, it’s worse if I don’t know anyone in said crowd or dinner party or social event. One close friend said I became the Batmobile. One by one, my shields would go up until I have completely closed myself off. Honestly I blame that on one of my fears that has plagued me all my life. I didn’t go to college, at first because I couldn’t afford it since I got married right out of high school and then later, by choice. So I always fear I’ll get into a conversation with someone new that I either can’t follow or understand or that will make me feel less than once the discover that I don’t have a college education. I don’t feel that way much anymore but it still lingers. I tend to watch and listen first before engaging. Test the waters, you know.

But if you ever find me talking to someone at a party, it’s because I found that one-on-one opportunity that brings me into my comfort zone. In that situation, I will open up and tell you my whole life story, mostly because the other person has just done the same thing. It’s uncanny, really. I’ve had people tell me the most intimate details of their lives standing in line in Wal-Mart. All. The. Time. It never fails. Once I hone in on what they’re struggling with, I’m all about the fix, getting them help or answers or just a hug.

Leader? Eh, I’m not sure about that but I sure love to help people. That wasn’t one of the result categories but it is one of the spiritual gifts. If you’re wanting to take another level of personality tests, look up one that will reveal your spiritual gifts. I happen to believe that God is the author of all of our gifts and once you find yours, you can find your purpose. I am passionate about helping those who are in need so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the areas of ministry I enjoy have an element of this. I love to meet needs. Nothing brings me joy like seeing a need and meeting it.

I remember when I was newly married, I saved up to buy a beautiful silk dress. I watched it until it went on sale to a price I could finally afford and I bought it. I couldn’t wait to wear it to church the next week and I got so many compliments on that pretty dress. A friend of mine fell in love with the dress and wished that she could have one just like it. I was in the car that afternoon to see if there was another but there wasn’t. So I got my dress cleaned and put it in a gift box and brought it to her the next week. She was in tears and wore that dress for years. I don’t tell you that story for my glory, I promise. But it’s an example of how my brain works. I loved seeing her face when she opened that box a hundred times more than I loved the time I spent waiting for it for me. It brought me so much joy. And without the results of those tests, I wouldn’t completely understand the strong pull I have towards helping people. So when I got the results of these tests, the question was: what do I do with that passion in terms of my ministry?

When Dream Big, Girl was born, it was out of a deep desire to bring joy, confidence and awaken the dreams locked inside my friends, family members and women I may never meet. That same joy I saw on my friend’s face so many years ago, was the goal. When we can identify those giftings, we can see where God can place us and how we can find fulfillment in our lives.

What is that you’re passionate about? What brings you joy? What moves you to tears or to action?

I believe that you have gifts and talents that are both obvious as well as hidden, just waiting to be recognized. Once discovered, you can then develop them and just watch what God can do with and in you! When you’re ready, look up information on the DISC personality test, as well as spiritual gift tests that you can take online.

I’d love to hear from you about what you discovered about yourself as you go through them! I can’t wait to hear about them all!