As a young teenager, I often
wondered why I felt and thought and acted in certain ways. Then, in a
Psychology course in college, I learned about the four personality types:
Choleric, Melancholy, Phlegmatic and Sanguine.
Each one has certain
characteristics inherent to that type of personality, and we are all one of
these or a combination of two or more of them. This diversity makes the world
go around in interesting patterns and interactions.
As one with a melancholy
personality, I find myself quietly considering what goes on around me with
reflection and prayer. I have no interest in participating in superficial
conversations or activities.
Therefore, I listen more than I
talk, and I do not join in conversations very often, unless the Holy Spirit
reminds me of something that might benefit the hearers.
However, I am very interested in
the people in my life. I deeply care about them and am always wanting to know
what issues they have that I can lift up for them in prayer. I look deeply into
a person's eyes - the windows of their soul, so that I can effectively express
Agape love and concern for each individual.
I usually view decisions as black
and white, but I have to remind myself that my view is not always the right
way. Life's choices are full of the various hues of color, and this really
appeals to the artistic side of my nature.
Sometimes I appear hard-hearted, because of my prophetic nature. People who label me as such do not really know the true me very well; because my heart is always like melted butter, and I actually feel another's pain in both my body and my soul.
People look to me as a Pastor's wife to lead them and to take charge in ministries that are lacking leadership. However, my passive personality does not make for a good leader, and I am much more comfortable as a helper to those visionaries who need followers.
I used to worry about the future,
and about negative possibilities that I might reap due to my husband's actions
and reactions. God healed me from this stressful characteristic, however, by
teaching me to live in the moment and to let tomorrow worry about itself
(Matthew 6:34).
I am always curious to discover
the reason behind what it going on in the world abroad and in my own life. I
turn these concerns into prayer, because I learned that I cannot control life
and that God has everything under His divine care.
Prayer:
Father God, remind me to
curb my natural inclination to speak into a person's life. Instead I need to
offer advice only when someone asks me for it. Then, when I do speak, help me
to convey the love and concern that I actually feel, instead of coming across
as critical and distant.
Help me
to overcome my natural inclination not to feel at home in a crowd and to prefer
silence and solitude. Please use my penchant to be introspective, and to hang
around on the outskirts of a gathering, in ways that will glorify You.
Thought for the Day:
Several years ago, I learned that
every moment of our life is in God's capable hands, so we have nothing to worry
about; instead, we can focus on loving others as Christ loved His church.
