When strengths turn into weaknesses

Knowing your song contributes to the harmony of the matrix of the world around you. You sing your song within everything you do.  Your approach to life, love, parenting, friendships, adventure, alone-time and working, so the more fine-tuned your song, the more simple life will get.

Most people have never pinpointed or finely tuned their song. There is satisfaction and fulfillment when you sing your song with clarity and of course "on key" or "in tune".  That's when music definitely sounds the best.  

Unfortunately, none of us are immune from the challenges and Insecurities that weaken and distort our song, and that's when our personalities no longer feel like a gift to those around us.  

However, it is wise to know our tendencies when we are tired, fearful and even selfish.  That way we can confess our limitations and depend on God to lead us into taking personal responsibility for when we hurt others. 

When you overuse your strengths they turn into a weakness

When we are low-functioning and under stress or duress, we automatically tap into our strong suits and push down the gas pedal and go into overdrive. We do it without conscious thought, and the results have the potential to sabotage your relationships. What makes it worse, is it's so hard to detect or understand because deep in our hearts, "we're just trying to make things better!" We can be experienced as being forceful or resistant. So, it really is true:  Your strengths overused turn into weaknesses.

Ones:

At their best, they are dependable, responsible reformers.
Strength overused, they may be inflexible and judgmental.  

Twos:

At their best, they are caring lovers. 
Strength overused, they can be manipulative and "give to get."

Threes:

At their best, they are charismatic achievers. 
Strength overused, they are self-promoting and workaholics.

Fours:

At their best, they are sensitive and authentic. 
Strength overused, they may be dramatic and moody.

Fives:

At their best, they are highly developed analyzers.
Strength overused,  they may withhold time, energy, even themselves.

Sixes:

At their best,  they are skillful troubleshooters. 
Strength overused, they can be doubtful and think “worse case scenario”.  

Sevens:

At their best, they are fun-loving visionaries. 
Strength overused, they get unfocused and prioritize pleasure.  

Eights:

At their best, they are decisive protectors.
Strength overused, they are control and bully.  

Nines:

At their best, they are accepting peacemakers. 
Strength overused, they procrastinate and waver. 

We have personally taken this message to heart and applied it to our own relationship.  And it has helped us understand each other and give each other increasing mercy! Instead of feeling offended by our differences, we are able to navigate our contrasts.  Our simplest example, in a practical way, would be:

Bob (number one) and the potential to clash with Audrey (number seven)

By nature, Bob is more behaved, serious and does things right.  
By nature, Audrey is more fun-loving and the opposite of a perfectionist.
How does that play out in marriage and parenting?

We hope you enjoy the podcasts and keep learning more about your personal song, and how your differences can truly be a gift. We love doing life with you!

Hear more about this topic on Episode 37 of All About Relationships Podcast with Bob and Audrey.