Video Transcript: Getting Beyond Your Struggles (Edited)

In developing the skills necessary for effective ministry, mastering the art of social intelligence is challenging. You might excel in one area but falter in another. You might talk too much in some situations and listen too much in others. Balancing traits like boldness, charisma, and likability feels like a daunting task. How do you make a good first impression and maintain it? At times, it can seem overwhelming.

I recently read Malcolm Gladwell's book "David and Goliath," which explores how disadvantages can sometimes turn into advantages. The book resonated with me, offering insights into how we can grow and find what God has in store for us. Like David defeating Goliath with a sling and five stones, we can identify our weaknesses and turn them into strengths.

I want to share a personal story about a challenge I've faced that has become a source of growth and even empowerment. I grew up with dyslexia, a condition that impeded my ability to read. I didn't complete my first book until high school and struggled academically. But this challenge forced me to find alternative ways to communicate and understand the world around me.

I felt a calling to ministry at a young age. Despite my difficulties with reading and a speech impediment, I knew I had a role to play in spiritual leadership. "David and Goliath" illuminated how even something like dyslexia could be a powerful advantage, not just a hindrance.

According to Gladwell's research, dyslexia is linked to neural development. Dyslexics have fewer neurons in the brain regions associated with reading, and these neurons often don't end up in their intended locations. This phenomenon can make reading a challenge, as areas of the brain that should activate during reading may remain dormant.

The very nature of dyslexia makes it difficult to distinguish between similar sounds, like "baa" and "daa," in the first 40 milliseconds of a syllable. This obstacle can lead to academic struggles, low self-esteem, and even depression. Some people with dyslexia even end up in the juvenile system out of frustration.

Yet, intriguingly, many successful entrepreneurs are dyslexic. A study by Julie Logan at City University London suggests that about a third of highly successful people are dyslexic, including notable individuals like Richard Branson. This suggests that dyslexia, despite its challenges, may offer some form of "desirable difficulty" that can be harnessed for success.

So, when I make presentations or deliver sermons, I've come to accept that I'll make occasional mistakes. But these are not merely errors; they are part of who I am, part of my journey in turning what many would see as a disadvantage into something God can use for good.

In short, whether you're trying to be more socially intelligent in ministry or overcoming personal challenges like dyslexia, the journey is about turning our disadvantages into advantages. It's about finding our own sling and five stones to conquer the giants in our lives.

Charles Schwab, Craig McCaw, David Nealon, John Chamberland, and Paul Orfalea: these are just a few successful entrepreneurs who have one thing in common—they're dyslexic. Neuroscientist Sharon Thompson-Schill once spoke at a university meeting filled with successful business donors. When she asked how many had been diagnosed with dyslexia, half the hands went up. There are two possible interpretations for this: either these people succeeded despite their dyslexia, or perhaps, in part, because of it.

Now, consider my own journey. To get through high school, I had to rely on the insights of those who had the answers I struggled to find. As a student with learning disabilities, it wasn't easy, but it gave me a sense of calling and drive that has proven invaluable. When I went to Dordt College, I chose philosophy as my major, knowing full well my reading limitations. My early papers were subpar, but I persisted. I listened attentively in class, consulted frequently with my professors, and reviewed texts multiple times. By graduation, my GPA was in the high B range—not perfect but hard-won.

To hone my communication skills, essential for a future in ministry, I volunteered at a local radio station. Despite initial reluctance, they took me in, allowing me to improve my reading through on-air script practice. It was a summer filled with amusing errors, but it was a learning experience.

Author Malcolm Gladwell discusses the concept of "capitalization learning," where people excel by building on their strengths. However, many successful individuals, particularly those with disabilities, employ "compensation learning." This involves overcoming one's limitations, an often painstaking process that results in hard-won but invaluable skills.

When I founded Christian Leaders Institute, I faced skepticism. Yet my past experiences taught me resilience and the ability to confront obstacles head-on. We all have our disadvantages, be it introversion, extroversion, anger, or ignorance. What's crucial is identifying your disadvantages and leveraging them as learning opportunities.

Your relationship with Christ is a cornerstone in overcoming these hurdles. Regardless of your situation, remember: God is on your side, ready to help you rise to the challenge. In my own journey, I've bought books, worked diligently, and continued to practice to improve myself. My dyslexia will always be part of me, but it doesn't define me.

So whatever challenges or disadvantages you face, do not be defeated. Embrace them as a part of your unique path to becoming "people-smart" in ministry. After all, it's often through our weaknesses that God's strength is most clearly seen.