Are you maximizing your potential?
Would you believe me if I were to tell you that your weaknesses could be the very thing God uses to impact the world and bring glory to Jesus?
Growing up, I was always entrepreneurial and good at teaching.
But writing was a different story.
I hated writing throughout middle school and high school and performed poorly in any classes related to English and writing.
So when God asked me to blog about my revelations and experience with God after giving my life to Jesus, I was terrified—but obedient.
Fast forward to today: My blogs have reached over 150,000 people in more than 100 countries, drawing over 500 women to our online Bible studies. What started as a blog is now a global ministry helping thousands of women find God real in their everyday lives.
I wrote a book called Single but in a Relationship with God based on my testimony of staying in the wrong relationships due to fear of being alone. That book has impacted thousands of singles worldwide and opened the door for us to be content partners with the YouVersion Bible app.
Just as God will use your gifts and strengths, He will also use your weaknesses to shame the wise and point people to His glory.
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;” – 1 Corinthians 1:27.
Did I face roadblocks? Many. If I had not done the four things that I am about to share with you, I would not be where I am today.
Here are four key principles to maximize your potential:
- Obey God, even if it requires you to do what you’re afraid to do
- Don’t let failure stop you
- Stay consistent
- Learn to improve
Obey God
Obey God, even if it requires you to do what you’re afraid to do. This is called faith. Faith is believing without seeing (Hebrews 11:1). In the midst of the unknown, we have the option either to fear or to have faith. Fear disables you from obeying God, but faith empowers you to obey God.
The Israelites missed out on their Promised Land because of fear. Are there fears you are battling with that you need to lay aside?
Don’t let failure stop you
If I had allowed failure to stop me from writing, I would never have been able to see the success I see now. God will allow trials, testings, and failures to test you and create perseverance in you (James 1:2-4).
To be faithful will require you to keep going even when you fail. What if failure is required for you to succeed?
Stay consistent
Stop comparing yourself with others and keep going. There will always be someone worse than you and better than you. The enemy will use comparison to stop you from maximizing your potential.
If God has asked you to do something, do it with all your heart, as working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). Consistency also helps you to improve your skillset and gifting. Don’t stay stagnant; be consistent.
Learn to improve
Take time to learn from others. There is always room for improvement in the things God calls us to do. To be a good steward is to be effective and efficient in what we are doing. A great way to learn is by serving others with your gifts.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10.
Are you applying these four principles to what you believe God is calling you to do in this season? You are created with purpose. Apply these four principles to your life and maximize your potential.
