<h3 id="d66da7bc-8e32-47a3-8c42-5f71245cc36c" data-toc-id="d66da7bc-8e32-47a3-8c42-5f71245cc36c">Is It Easy to Use Your Charisms? Exploring the Challenges and Rewards</h3>Welcome to the Charisms for Catholics blog, where we explore the fascinating world of spiritual gifts and their discernment. In today’s post, we reflect on a thought-provoking discussion from <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.fo/e/25e576">Episode 86 of the Charisms for Catholics podcast</a>, hosted by Jill Simons, executive director of Many Parts Ministries. In this episode, Jill asks, "Is it easy to use your charisms?"While the short answer is that using your charisms can feel natural and fruitful, Jill dives deeper into the challenges that can arise and how to navigate them.<img src="https://f.ezycourse.net/3610/cm4hx4qcs0c2xhv8zf1hg34y8.jpg" data-href="https://pod.fo/e/25e576" onclick="window.open('https://pod.fo/e/25e576', '_blank')" style="cursor: pointer; width: 100%; height: auto" alt="image" draggable="true"><hr><h4 id="ffd24a87-d858-4c3f-a5fe-cfb962d5eaee" data-toc-id="ffd24a87-d858-4c3f-a5fe-cfb962d5eaee">The Illusion of Ease: Is It Always Easy to Use Your Charisms?</h4>Many people believe using their charisms will always feel easy and joyful once they identify them. While Jill acknowledges that exercising one's charisms often feels life-giving and aligned with God’s purpose, she also points out that the journey isn’t always smooth. Through her insights, Jill identifies three key obstacles that can make using one's charisms more difficult: wounds (both personal and others’), resistance, and burnout.<hr><h4 id="05236e6e-f1b3-421c-9296-2a4029653044" data-toc-id="05236e6e-f1b3-421c-9296-2a4029653044">Wounds: Personal and External Challenges</h4><h5 id="df5ec265-a60a-4235-8021-669819d583e5" data-toc-id="df5ec265-a60a-4235-8021-669819d583e5">Personal Wounds</h5>Jill explains that everyone carries personal wounds that can sometimes hinder the full expression of their charisms. While these wounds don’t typically prevent us from using our charisms altogether, they may limit our freedom to take risks or fully embrace the opportunities God presents. However, these challenges can also be invitations to embark on a journey of healing and personal growth, which can ultimately deepen and enhance the use of your charisms.<h5 id="bdc82b5f-a6d1-4006-bfa0-99ad178ae21d" data-toc-id="bdc82b5f-a6d1-4006-bfa0-99ad178ae21d">Other People’s Wounds</h5>Sometimes, the more significant obstacles come from others. Jill highlights how other people’s wounds can block the reception of your charisms. For example, in roles like teaching or encouraging, a recipient’s pain or resistance may prevent them from truly benefiting from your gift. Jill emphasizes the importance of detaching yourself from immediate results and trusting Jesus to nurture the seeds you plant through your charisms, even if you don’t immediately see the fruit.<hr><h4 id="6914cafe-324c-47ec-9098-83f81a8cd4a9" data-toc-id="6914cafe-324c-47ec-9098-83f81a8cd4a9">Resistance: Spiritual and Practical Obstacles</h4>Resistance is another challenge that makes using one's charisms more complex. Jill identifies two forms of resistance: spiritual and practical.<ul><li>Spiritual Resistance: This can come from evil forces that seek to deter us from fulfilling God’s will. Using your charisms for the glory of God often invites spiritual opposition, requiring vigilance and prayer to persevere.</li><li>Practical Resistance: Everyday challenges, such as logistical difficulties, lack of resources, or misunderstandings, can create obstacles.</li></ul>To overcome resistance, Jill advises cultivating the virtue of faithfulness. Faithfulness means staying committed to what you discern, even when uncertain. By remaining steadfast, you can minimize the impact of resistance and realign with God’s will, making using your charisms easier over time.<hr><h4 id="897236f4-1101-4eac-bf10-f3c2882b6807" data-toc-id="897236f4-1101-4eac-bf10-f3c2882b6807">Burnout: The Burden of Doing Too Much</h4>One of the most significant challenges Jill discusses is burnout, which often occurs when we take on responsibilities that aren’t ours to bear. When we try to do too much or carry burdens that God hasn’t asked us to carry, we risk exhausting ourselves and losing the joy that comes from using our charisms. To combat burnout, Jill recommends cultivating humility. Humility reminds us that we aren’t responsible for everything—that God is the ultimate force behind our actions. By surrendering control and trusting in God’s providence, we can reduce unnecessary stress and focus on the areas where our charisms are most impactful.<hr><h4 id="5a02ca09-3452-4f7c-90e0-dfb4106bf4d6" data-toc-id="5a02ca09-3452-4f7c-90e0-dfb4106bf4d6">The Path Forward: Building Virtues to Support Your Charisms</h4>While challenges like wounds, resistance, and burnout may arise, Jill offers hope and practical advice for navigating these struggles. By cultivating attachment, faithfulness, and humility, we can overcome obstacles and use our charisms as God intended. Significantly, pursuing your charisms benefits others and fosters profound personal spiritual growth. Jill beautifully explains, “We are benefiting just as much, if not more, as everybody else because of all the amazing space it creates for our spiritual growth.”<hr><h4 id="bc68749d-3a73-46ab-a077-d2c49ffc4efb" data-toc-id="bc68749d-3a73-46ab-a077-d2c49ffc4efb">Conclusion: Is It Easy to Use Your Charisms?</h4>So, is it easy to use your charisms? While exercising your charisms often feels natural and fulfilling, it’s not always easy. Challenges like wounds, resistance, and burnout can sometimes make the journey difficult. However, with perseverance and trust in God’s grace, these obstacles can lead to more spiritual and personal growth. If you’re ready to discern and begin using your charisms, Many Parts Ministries offers free resources, including a guide to all 24 charisms and a charism assessment to help you get started. Visit their website today to explore these tools and take the next step on your spiritual journey. Remember, the journey of using your charisms is worth it—even when it’s tough. God has uniquely equipped you to serve His Church and glorify Him through your gifts.<img src="https://f.ezycourse.net/3610/cm4hy4cij0g7mg38z5hhk9azf.jpg" data-href="https://www.manypartsministries.com/checkout?product_id=3161&amp;product_type=digital_product" onclick="window.open('https://www.manypartsministries.com/checkout?product_id=3161&amp;product_type=digital_product', '_blank')" style="cursor: pointer; width: 100%; height: auto" alt="image" draggable="true">

Charisms for Catholic - will using my charisms always be easy?

Will Using My Charisms Always Be Easy?

Is It Easy to Use Your Charisms? Exploring the Challenges and Rewards

The Illusion of Ease: Is It Always Easy to Use Your Charisms?

Resistance: Spiritual and Practical Obstacles

The Path Forward: Building Virtues to Support Your Charisms

Conclusion: Is It Easy to Use Your Charisms?

Explore Catholic teaching on charisms and spiritual gifts. Articles on discernment, identity, the Holy Spirit, and living your gifts in everyday life.

Part & Parcel Blog — Catholic Teaching on Charisms

Articles on Catholic charism discernment — what charisms are, how to discover yours, and how to live them out in the Church and everyday life.



Will Using My Charisms Always Be Easy?

Will Using My Charisms Always Be Easy?

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