Patience in Discovering Your Gifts

When some Christians reach the point in their Christian life where they are seeking the spiritual gifts, it can be hard for some to not be impatient about what the Holy Spirit may bestow upon them as their gift. We must remember that the Holy Spirit reveals the spiritual gifts on God’s schedule and not our own. No matter what readings, sermons or questionnaires we engage in we can still feel as if we have not received any direction. This can quickly lead to frustration and possible feelings of abandonment by the Holy Spirit and a sense of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out!). In addition, some Christians may try aggressively seek their gifts in their own way by assumption or choosing gifts they want versus what they have been actually given by the Spirit. This lack of patience waiting for the Holy Spirit to act can adversely effect not only the person but also the body of Christ where they serve.

Consider Paul’s writings in the Letter to the Romans, Chapter 5:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:1-5 KJV

In seeking the spiritual gifts our own impatience can cause self-inflicted tribulation. We must be at peace where God has led us in our walk with Him, and have patience that when it is time for us to know and use our spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit will reveal them to us. Use prayer, meditation, and Bible study to gain peace and patience for the Holy Spirit to act.

Prayer: Ask God for clarity and discernment on what your spiritual gift may be. Include in your prayers a request for patience in all that you do.

Meditation: Meditation is not just some out of body relaxation or Zen experience. Meditation is to think deeply and carefully about a subject. Keep the spiritual gifts top of mind in your day to day.

Bible study: Read and reflect on parts of the Bible that address the spiritual gifts. There are a number of resources on this site, including a list of Bible verses relevant to each spiritual gift included with their descriptions. This site also maintains a list of writings outside of the Bible that can provide insight in the References section.

Patience in the Use and Fruit of Your Gifts

Impatience can also arise with those who have found their spiritual gifts and are seeking how to use them. The range of emotions felt at this stage can lead some to become aggressive with the use of their spiritual gifts. This manifests itself by people getting involved in anything and everything they feel is related to their gift instead of asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. The result can be people imposing their will on others, becoming boisterous or overconfident in their decisions and actions because of their gift, and creating frustrations when the fruit of their labors is not immediately felt, seen, or appreciated.

In Wilhem Pauck’s book Luther: Lectures on Romans, he notes in the commentary what Martin Luther writes in relation to Romans 2:7 linked to the passage that reads “By patience in well-doing”.

Those who are impatient, and complain of the suffering they have to bear while doing the good, thereby show that their doing the good is not from God but that it is, rather, an assumption of human righteousness by which man does the good for his own sake, because he seeks to be honored and respected thereby, and because of it he resents it to be slandered, defamed, and hated on account of it.

This is why it is said in James 1:4: “Let patience have its perfect work,” i.e. though any virtue may produce a good work, only patience will bring forth the perfect good, namely, something that is not beset by any vice nor begun in the love of praise of self nor left undone for fear of blame, but completed and brought to and end in the love of God.

Pauck, 45

Our adversary, the devil, tries to insert himself in everything that we do. Using your spiritual gifts is something that he does not like and he will do anything he can to stop it. His influence can bring about those feelings of frustration when the fruits are not what you would like them to be. We have to keep pride out of the work we do and keep the focus on God. Remember what Paul writes in Romans 12:3 right before he talks about the spiritual gifts.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Romans 12:3 NIV

Through patience, prayer and faith it will be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit on what use our gifts are to the body of Christ.

Patience: Seek to understand your spiritual gift. Talk to your Pastor or community leaders to see where you might be needed. Resist the urge to rush things.

Prayer: Add understanding of your gift to your regular prayers. Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance on where you are needed.

Faith: Know that you have a gift and you are to use it. The Apostle Paul is very clear that everyone in the body of Christ is given at least one spiritual gift (Romans 12:6).

Patience is so important in our spiritual journey and it often is overlooked as a virtue. I hope this article has provided you some things to consider related to patience and the spiritual gifts. Feel free to comment below or contact me with any questions or observations you may have. God Bless!

Copyright 2024 by The Spiritual Gifts Project. All rights reserved.

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God + Others

When the spiritual gifts truly begin to manifest in a person, your faith is at a point where you are moving from a “God + Me” state of faith to more of a “God + Others”. Your faith is much more than just rational thought or awareness of God. You have a keen awareness of Christ being at the center of your faith and the consequences not knowing Him. The death of Christ is the only means of redeeming humanity from eternal death. You understand that your past sins have been pardoned not by the good works you do but because of Jesus Christ.

When you heart changes so does your perspective. Good deeds and works are done because of your faith, not in order to gain favor with God. You understand that no amount of good deeds that you do will provide any sort of salvation. The salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. With this knowledge you have compassion for others and are moved to do good works in His name. That is the difference.

James 2:14-16 illustrates this point.

Faith and Deeds

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. ²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. ²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:14-26 NIV

The manifestation of the spiritual gifts within you are a clear sign of this change in your faith journey. God provides you with a means to follow the longing in your heart to help your fellow man. It’s an activation of your faith on a higher level. Your spiritual senses are activated and directed to their proper purpose through faith. The application of the spiritual gifts in your daily life is the next step.

Still not sure what your gifts might be? Take our free online assessment now and start your journey.

Love is the Fuel

Love is the fuel of this newfound spiritual awareness and use of the spiritual gifts. Paul writes of love’s connection with the gifts in 1 Corinthians 13:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NIV

Consider these 3 guideposts in the application of the spiritual gifts:

Pray for Guidance

God has provided you with a spiritual gift for a specific purpose. The only way you are going to know how to use that gift is if he provides you with that answer. Earnest prayer asking God to reveal his purpose is the first and most important step.

Look for Opportunities

Keep your spiritual gift(s) forefront in your mind in your daily lives. Look for ways that you can apply your gift to assist others. Remember that the body of Christ is four walls of a church building. The body of Christ is a living, breathing organism representing all that follow Him. Do not limit your use of the gifts to only your local congregation.

Opportunities will Present Themselves

I have found in my own experience and in the experience of others that opportunities to use your gifts will manifest regularly in your lives. There are probably opportunities right in front of your eyes that you did not see before the gifts manifested in your faith journey. Keep an open mind and expect opportunities to arise.

Share Your Experiences

Please share your thoughts in the comments below on how the gifts are manifesting in your life and faith journey. Help others learn from your experiences.

Thank you!

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Discovering spiritual gifts is a personal journey, one that is unique to each individual. For some, identifying these gifts is a quick process, while for others, it may take more time. Alongside our Spiritual Gifts Assessment Tool, the following steps will help guide you in seeking the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and discovering the gifts that are uniquely yours.

1. Have Faith

Simply visiting this website is a powerful first step. Your curiosity about spiritual gifts shows that you are open to exploring what God has for you. Whether you already suspect what your gift(s) might be or are still uncertain, trust that the Holy Spirit has brought you here for a reason. Remember, everyone’s journey is different.

The Bible is clear that every believer, baptized into the Body of Christ, is given at least one spiritual gift. In 1 Corinthians 12:11, the Apostle Paul writes:

“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:11, NIV)

Have faith in this truth, even if you don’t yet know what your specific gift is. As James N. Watkins writes, spiritual progress requires commitment and trust in God’s grace, not just our own wisdom. Rely on Him for guidance.

2. Pray Earnestly

In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus promises:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV)

Prayer is essential in discovering your spiritual gifts. Regularly bring your heart before God, earnestly seeking your place within the Body of Christ. While it may take time, God will reveal your gifts as you persist in prayer. If you already sense what your gift(s) may be, continue praying for clarity and guidance on how to use them in His service.

3. Study the Scriptures

Paul’s letters, particularly in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-13, and Ephesians 4, offer invaluable insights on spiritual gifts. Meditate on these passages, for they explain the different kinds of gifts and their purpose within the church. No list or tool, including this one, can replace the understanding that comes from studying the Word of God. The gifts come from the Holy Spirit, and personal reflection on scripture will deepen your understanding.

You can explore more about Paul’s teachings on spiritual gifts by reading my detailed blog posts in the “Unpacking Paul” series, where we dive into these biblical passages.

4. Explore Your Talents and Passions

Your natural talents and passions can be clues to your spiritual gifts. What activities or tasks do you feel naturally drawn to? These interests could be pointing to a deeper calling within the Body of Christ. Through prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into how your talents and passions align with your spiritual gifts.

5. Don’t Confuse Your Vocation with Your Gift

It’s important to distinguish between your career or vocation and your spiritual gifts. Just because you work in a field like medicine, for example, doesn’t necessarily mean you have the gift of healing. Your vocation is part of God’s plan for your life, but it may not directly relate to your spiritual gifts. Reflect on how your spiritual gifts might complement your vocation, and ask God to show you how they can be used to serve others.

6. Seek Opportunities to Serve

Once you recognize your spiritual gift(s), seek ways to use them within the Body of Christ. The purpose of these gifts is to build up others and to serve the church, which is more than just your local congregation. Christ’s Body includes all believers across the world.

As Romans 12:4-5 states:

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5, NIV)

Look for opportunities within your church and beyond to use your gifts to serve others. Keep your eyes open for opportunities that may not have been obvious before.

7. Don’t Try to Choose Your Gift

Finally, don’t try to force a specific gift upon yourself. The Holy Spirit is the one who determines which gifts are given to each believer. While you may pray for certain gifts, trust that the Holy Spirit knows what is best for you and for the Body of Christ. Be open to receiving the gifts that He has for you, knowing that they are intended for His glory and for the good of others.

Discovering your spiritual gifts is a journey that requires patience, prayer, and faith. Trust in God’s guidance as you explore the gifts He has given you, and be ready to use them to serve His Kingdom and to bless others.

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