Understand What Your Gifts Are

It's common to confuse spiritual gifts with special talents or skills you develop over time. While many skills you have can be used to serve others, your spiritual gifts are capacities you have naturally. You don't need to perfect them or work to learn them. These spiritual gifts help accomplish God's purposes. Examples of spiritual gifts include:

• Leadership
• Teaching
• Service
• Wisdom
• Prophecy
• Discernment
• Encouragement
• Faith
• Evangelism
• Hospitality

If it's unclear what your spiritual gifts are, consider asking those closest to you. They might notice strengths you don't notice yourself. Reflecting on what comes naturally to you and where you've excelled in the past could also reveal your spiritual gifts.

Identify What Holds You Back From Sharing Your Spiritual Gifts

Your spiritual gifts are meant to be shared, but you may find it challenging to do so. Understanding why you're holding back could help you overcome those barriers. Some potential issues are:

• Comparison. It's easy to compare your gifts to others and wonder if yours are adequate. Everyone serves and uses their gifts in different ways. You don't need to be perfect in how you use your gifts or measure up to someone else with the same spiritual gifts.
• Fear. It can be intimidating to put yourself out there and share the word of God through your spiritual gifts. Focus on your reason for sharing rather than worrying so much about the outcome. Remember that you're fulfilling God's purpose and sharing his love. Some resistance is bound to happen, but that shouldn't stop you from sharing to reach the people who are open to his love.
• Overwhelm or lack of time. You may be facing a challenging time in your life that makes sharing your spiritual gifts feel difficult. Spiritual gifts often aren't grand gestures or involved projects. You can share your gifts in simple moments that arise.

Use Prayer and Bible Study

Prayer can be a powerful approach to determining how to use your spiritual gifts. Pray for guidance on what your gifts are and how you can use them to fulfill God's purpose. You can also pray for clarity on specific aspects of your spiritual gifts. Continue praying as you start to share your spiritual gifts to receive continued guidance and learn how to make your gifts even more powerful. Showing gratitude for your gift through prayer can also strengthen your commitment and help you embrace it.

For some people, studying Bible passages related to specific spiritual gifts provides guidance and inspiration. For example, Romans 12:6-8 mentions the different gifts people receive and touches specifically on prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading and showing mercy. Other relevant passages include 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 and 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.

Start Small With People Who Are Close to You

If you're not sure how to start sharing your gift, open up to your friends and family first. This provides you with a safe, accepting space to share what's on your heart. You can also ask for feedback from your loved ones, which can give you encouragement for expanding how you use your gifts.

Volunteer Within Your Community

Many volunteer opportunities enable you to share your spiritual gifts with others. In some cases, you might find a volunteer opportunity that aligns with the gifts you already have. For example, if teaching is one of your spiritual gifts, you might volunteer to teach classes at a women's shelter or handle training for a religious nonprofit organization.

If you're not clear on your gifts or how you might use them, simply choose a volunteer opportunity in Sun City, Arizona, or surrounding areas that speaks to you. Serving others may reveal your gifts or show you how you can best utilize them. You might discover a leadership opportunity within your volunteer work, for example. As you volunteer regularly, the staff members of the organizations you volunteer with might comment on the gifts they notice, or they might offer you new opportunities that align with your purpose.

Look for Opportunities to Share Your Gift

Your spiritual gifts are meant for you and are within you already, but there's still room for you to practice and improve those skills. For instance, you might naturally be a good teacher, but you can also learn from your experiences to improve your teaching skills even more.

Be open to any opportunities to use your spiritual gifts. God often leads you to the situations and opportunities you need to put your gifts to use. The opportunity might not seem obvious or traditional. For example, leadership doesn't have to mean accepting a formal role as a leader in an organization. It could be organizing a one-time event, taking charge in an emergency or leading others on their walk with God. Finding opportunities to share your gifts with your neighbors at Lifestream at Sun City might include sharing God's word through musical skills or visiting with neighbors who feel lonely.