My wonderful life coach, Darlene, suggested I take the Gallup’s Strength Finder assessment. I enjoy taking these kind of quizzes. Have you taken it?

Here are my Top 5 Strengths:

1. Input
2. Significance
3. Empathy
4. Activator
5. Ideation

Some of these weren’t a big surprise. No wonder I have trouble shutting my brain off with #1, #4 and #5 all being so active. No wonder I have a strong drive to succeed and accomplish things with #2 near the top.

With every strength comes weaknesses. For example, when I was at a conference this summer, my “ideation” was on such high alert, brainstorming with a new friend, that I stayed up way too late—and suffered for it the next day.

As I alluded to the other day, I often, “try to gain ground by doing and doing and march past His glory on my quest for significance.”

So, while I am thankful for these strengths, they can sometimes work against me.

Maybe you can imagine how #3, empathy, gets me into trouble.

I try and take on other people’s problems as my own. I get weighed down easily by feeling what others might be feeling. I try and shoulder their pain, poor choices or heartache by carrying them too.

Recently, God showed me the difference between trying to carry someone on my own strength and lifting them up to Him, the One and Only Savior, Healer and Restorer.

Head on over to Kelly Balarie’s Purposeful Faith for the rest of the post as we talk about The Peace Found in Release.

P.S. Tomorrow morning I will be sending my blog subscribers an email with the “Pray Bold & Unedited” printable (for download). If you haven’t already subscribed you can do so at the top of this page.