Is Your Eyesight Out of Focus?

If your vision is less than 20/20 you’ve experienced that “Eureka!” moment. As the optometrist places glasses on the bridge of your nose, you open your eyes and poof! You can see clearly – whereas before, images were fuzzy and indistinct.

When you can’t see well, life is unnecessarily stressful. Blurred objects, squinting, fatigue, headaches … it’s easy to make mistakes, misjudging what you see. Frustration builds.

The same can be true when you can’t clearly see the strengths in those around you.

Your team members, your spouse, your family – people are motivated when they feel understood and valued. But like you, when they are misunderstood or misjudged, they become discouraged, angry, and even apathetic. Conflict rises; division follows.

Most of the time, you do not purposely misunderstand those around you. Rather, you simply don’t see them – and their strengths – clearly.

Getting Your Vision Tested

During an eye exam, the optometrist conducts a series of tests to determine how your eyes are working. Resulting data shows whether you are nearsighted (close objects appear clear, but those far away are blurred) or farsighted (close objects are fuzzy but distant objects are clear.)

In both cases, your eyes do not focus images correctly. The focal point is on the incorrect location – whether in front of the retina (nearsightedness) or behind it (farsightedness).

When it comes to seeing those around you, where do you focus? It’s easy to let differences become your focal point. They present a sharp contrast to your own familiar way of doing things. In fact, you may not even notice others’ strengths because you’re fixated on differences.

Change Your Prescription

But what happens when another person’s strengths are pointed out to you? Your vision shifts, not unlike the transformation that happens when you slip on eyeglasses. As you train your attention on a person’s strengths, those strengths come into focus.

Blurred eyesight is stressful … even dangerous. But it can be corrected. A distorted view of others, fixated on differences, is risky too. But you can correct it. Understanding another person’s strengths is like putting on a different set of glasses – a set that allows you to see more clearly. You simply need to be willing to put them on.

Fuzzy or clear? How you view others is up to you.

Growth Point You can focus on another’s strengths, rather than his differences.

Scripture

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8, NIV)

Prayer Points

• Name a time when you have struggled to accept differences in another person.
• How can shifting your focal point from differences to strengths transform a relationship?
• Consider asking your spouse or your team members to complete a Leading From Your Strengths profile as a way for you to understand their God-given strengths.

More Devotionals from Ministry Insights

Devotional: Focus on the As, Not the Fs

Devotional: Pen in Hand: Embracing Your Strengths

Devotional: Individuality or Conformity – Must You Choose?

Devotional: Understanding Others’ Strengths – Do You Have a Good View?

Devotional: How to Avoid “The Unimportance Trap”