Embracing Your Worthiness Through Your Spiritual Gifts
In our last session we talked about sadness and depression and looked through the lens of Hannah’s story. You can find that post here.
In that session we dove into Hannah’s story, and then looked at some helpful tools you can apply when you are feeling down. One of those tools is to come into alignment with your values- how you want to show up in the world and what kind of person you want to be and how you want others to feel when they spend time around you.
This week we are going to build upon that idea through the lens of 1 Corinthians chapter 12, where Paul teaches on spiritual gifts!
Since our goal is always to explore how scripture and Jesus’ teachings can lead us not only into a richer spiritual life, but also support our mental wellness, what we want to do this week is explore how your giftedness is a path to remembering your worthiness.
Comparison is so easy these days, especially with social media at our fingertips constantly. Even if you are smart or savvy enough to avoid social media, you’re still likely to at least watch some television or a movie now and then, right?
So whether you’re falling down the rabbit hole and comparing your life (skin, hair, clothes, car, career, faith practices, you name it) to those you see on Instagram, or simply watching your favorite show, it is always all too easy to compare…. And often find yourself lacking.
Even if you have confidence in some areas of your life, and we sure hope you do, those areas in which you are less secure are going to be what you likely notice- and right down that rabbit hole you go.
What is the solution?
Reconnect with what is truly valuable about you.
Today we want to look at 1 Corinthians chapter 12, where Paul teaches on spiritual gifts.
Take the time to read the chapter now. Read it over and see what God seems to be saying to you. What stands out for you? And then come back and check out the discussion below!
Alright, let’s dive in!
Before we look at how this chapter can support your mental wellness, let’s look at a couple important elements about spiritual gifts.
First: spiritual gifts are given by the Spirit, so they show up when you get the Spirit.
What this means: you may have natural gifts, and your natural gifts are wonderful. But your spiritual gifts come along when you commit your life to Jesus and ask his Spirit to live in your heart.
Second: spiritual gifts are about serving God’s kingdom.
Again- you may have lots of natural gifts and abilities that help you in your daily activities, your education, your professional life.. But your spiritual gifts are about growing the body of Christ.
Third: growing the church and serving the church does not always have to be done at the church or with the church!
Just had to be sure to say that. Your spiritual gifts go with you wherever you go, and so you can use them at work, at home, or even in the checkout line at Target.
Finally: your gifts are not based on status, background, or ability.
Every believer has value and a role, regardless of how “visible” their gift is. You don’t have to make a big splash, even small actions will cause a ripple effect!
How do you uncover your spiritual gifts?
To engage in a meaningful discussion, and to use your spiritual gifts to feel like you are doing meaningful work, of course you first must know which spiritual gifts you’ve been given.
There are many great free assessments online, and we encourage you to spend some time checking them out. But for our purposes we want to make it as simple as possible, and so we found this short assessment in PDF form that you can check out.
Now: let’s talk about your spiritual gifts and your mental wellness!
Your spiritual gifts are an important part of what makes you uniquely worthy of love
You already know that God made you in a very specific way, to grace the world in a way that only you can.
Verse four says “there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.”
You are uniquely gifted in a way that no one else is!
Often when we struggle with comparison, it can be easy to fall into a “less than” mentality, feeling like we don’t measure up.
Hopefully this verse can serve as a reminder that God has given you a unique set of gifts that makes you valuable to the world in a way that only you can be!
Your spiritual gifts are a reminder that we are all interconnected in a beautiful way
Verses five and six say: “There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”
Read that again and really breathe it in.
Mental wellness suffers when we compare, as we’ve already discussed. These verses can remind us that God is the source of it all.
You are different- and that’s a good thing. We all are unique. And that’s a good thing.
And even better? We are all serving and loving and being loved by the same God.
And similarly: we are all gifted by the same God. He is the source behind all our gifts and callings. So if God is the source, who are we to have anxiety about measuring up? Who are we to question his plans for us?
Rest in the peace that you’re made exactly the way you are supposed to be made, and the ways in which you can serve are wonderful!
Your spiritual gifts can give you hope and a purpose
As we talked about last week, when you are struggling emotionally, reconnecting with your values can help give you a sense of direction and help you take action.
Just as our values can remind us how we want to show up in the world, and give us an anchor when we struggle, our spiritual gifts can help us to choose a committed action.
If you recall, connecting with values and choosing committed action are essential parts of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a powerful tool we love to refer to for supporting our mental wellness.
What better way is there to choose a committed action than to use your spiritual gifts as a springboard?
Serving others, feeling like you are having an impact in the world and on the kingdom, can make you feel a sense of purpose- and a sense of purpose automatically will lift your spirits!
A sense of being a part of something bigger, moving forward a divine plan, can be an anchor in hard times!
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~author unknown
And finally: spiritual gifts encourage us toward community
In the second half of the chapter, verses 12 and beyond, Paul addresses the importance of the entire body of Christ.
He emphasizes that every part matters, using the example of a physical body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.
What does that mean for you and your mental wellness? We think it makes two important points.
First: you can take it as a reminder that you and your gifts are an essential part of the body.
The hand is as essential as the eye and the eye is just as important as the ear. They all matter, just as you matter.
Second: the body is a whole, with many parts, and the parts operate together.
This is a reminder that you are meant to be in community. We all know that feeling isolated and alone can harm our mental wellness, and this is a reminder that connection, belonging, and interdependence are how we are supposed to be approaching our lives- spiritual or otherwise!
It is a good thing to ask for help from your community, and equally wonderful when you offer it in your own unique way.
As we close out our discussion, we’d like to leave you with some reflection and journaling prompts, so that you can continue to grow on your own. But don’t forget to bring any of your questions or insights to the group, if you feel led to do so! We love growing with you and growing together!
Reflection and Journaling Prompts:
- What gifts do I have that might be different from others — but still important?
- How do I feel when I compare myself to others? What truth can I hold onto from this passage?
- Where might God be at work in me, even if I can’t see the full picture yet?
Prayer: