Week 8 · Strengths as Entrusted Gifts
Discover the 24 VIA strengths that reveal how you flourish
Your character strengths are not just personality traits—they're gifts entrusted to you by God for your own flourishing and the good of others.
The Framework
The VIA Classification of Character Strengths is the result of a 3-year project by 55 scientists who studied virtues across cultures, religions, and philosophies to identify the core strengths that make humans flourish.
They discovered 24 character strengths organized under 6 universal virtues. Everyone possesses all 24 strengths to varying degrees, but your "signature strengths" are the ones that feel most essential to who you are.
Research shows that using your signature strengths leads to greater well-being, engagement, meaning, and accomplishment. When you operate from your strengths, you're living as you were designed to live.
Take the free VIA Character Strengths Survey to discover your unique profile of all 24 strengths, ranked from strongest to least strong.
Take the Free Survey →Free assessment from VIA Institute on Character. Takes about 15 minutes. You'll receive your full ranking of all 24 strengths.
The 24 Strengths
Cognitive strengths that involve acquiring and using knowledge
Thinking of novel and productive ways to do things. You see unique solutions and express ideas in original ways.
Taking an interest in experience for its own sake. You find subjects and topics fascinating and love to explore and discover.
Thinking things through and examining them from all sides. You weigh evidence fairly and can change your mind when warranted.
Mastering new skills and topics. You love the process of learning, whether in a class or on your own.
Being able to provide wise counsel to others. You see the big picture and help others make sense of the world.
Emotional strengths that involve exercising will to accomplish goals despite opposition
Not shrinking from threat, challenge, or pain. You act on convictions even when unpopular and speak up for what's right.
Finishing what you start. You persist despite obstacles and take pleasure in completing tasks.
Speaking the truth and presenting yourself genuinely. You are authentic and take responsibility for your actions.
Approaching life with excitement and energy. You feel alive and activated, and you bring enthusiasm to what you do.
Interpersonal strengths that involve caring for and befriending others
Valuing close relationships with others. You have deep, genuine connections where sharing and caring go both ways.
Doing favors and good deeds for others. You enjoy helping people, even those you don't know well.
Being aware of the motives and feelings of others. You know what makes people tick and how to fit into different situations.
Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life
Working well as a member of a group. You're loyal to the team, do your share, and work for the group's success.
Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice. You don't let personal feelings bias your decisions.
Organizing group activities and seeing that they happen. You maintain good relations while encouraging the group to get things done.
Strengths that protect against excess
Forgiving those who have done wrong. You give people second chances and let go of resentment.
Letting your accomplishments speak for themselves. You don't seek the spotlight and see yourself accurately.
Being careful about your choices. You don't say or do things you might regret and think through consequences.
Regulating what you feel and do. You're disciplined and in control of your appetites and emotions.
Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning
Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and skill in all domains. You experience awe and wonder at the world.
Being aware of and thankful for good things. You take time to express thanks and don't take blessings for granted.
Expecting the best and working to achieve it. You believe the future can be good and that you can influence it.
Liking to laugh and bring smiles to others. You see the light side of situations and use humor to connect.
Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of life. Your beliefs shape your actions and provide comfort.
Putting It to Work
Your signature strengths (typically your top 5-7) are the ones that feel most authentically you. Using them energizes rather than drains you. They're often so natural you might not even recognize them as strengths.
Research shows that finding new ways to use your signature strengths leads to increased happiness and decreased depression—effects that last for months. This isn't self-help fluff; it's rigorous positive psychology.
In A Symphony of Grace, we explore your strengths as entrusted gifts— given by God for your flourishing and to bless others. When you live from your strengths, you're living as you were designed.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
— Ephesians 2:10
More Resources
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