Sandra Bleser
Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Married 20 years – no children
“I’m not short, I’m fun-sized!”
“The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.” (Psalm 69:32)
Thank you so much for your dedication to this ministry. I can say that God spoke to me through a comment within a podcast where you were being interviewed about a year ago and it has transformed the hopelessness and despair. I was suffering to hope.
We were not meant to change or fix others, only what we can change, which is ourselves. God is the one who changes hearts and minds.”
I recently noticed that you were inquiring about thoughts on how to address personality traits on the SUMA site. May I share some revelations I’ve learned as I’ve been on my journey toward redemption, healing, and restoration:
I think it’s wise to learn about the different types of personalities as well as my own. They not only help us to understand but become aware and watchful of the areas we’re most likely to be prone to temptation … kind of like the 90/10 rule.
God has blessed each of us with a unique mix of traits that I believe are meant to be reflections of His character (so our traits were originally created as good!).
Satan was originally good but became corrupt. I think it’s the same for us (and he uses this to sidetrack and prevent us from experiencing and praising God’s goodness—hence the original sin).
Our unique mix of traits were from God to give Him glory (like the fruits of the spirit), but it’s the 10% part of us that is more prone to certain influences (temptations)—the imperfections caused by the original sin curse that trip us up from expressing the “fruits of the spirit” within our heart, mind, and soul.
The “brokenness” of our personalities is like everything else in creation since the fall…imperfect, and the curse is that our lives ARE a constant struggle until we are called home to Jesus.
But as with everything else, we CAN overcome in Jesus. Satan wants us keep thinking we’re bad, rotten to the core, unredeemable—and it’s a powerful trick. After all Adam and Eve’s first “corrupt feeling” was shame.
However, it’s a simple shift in perspective. If we see the “goodness” our unique mix of traits are, and a gift from God, we can begin to identify and approach the imperfections (traits where we’re most prone to temptation) as helpful “intelligence” as we fight the battle each day.
I now think of these as the “thorns in my flesh” that Paul was speaking in 2 Cor 12:6-10. We should not be upset or fearful, rather, rejoice! “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (vs. 9).
God has given to each what He thinks is necessary to keep us humble and reliant upon Him instead of ourselves.
To be able to identify the traits we have within us is a glorious and encouraging revelation! It provided me great hope, joy, strength, and healing because I knew what “goodness” within me to FOCUS upon, cultivate, and express for God’s glory, and to become more watchful, strong, and quick to surrender to God when I’m tempted:)
Hope this helps, and may God continue to guide, direct, and bless the ministry He’s appointed you to!
Friends, please share your thoughts on how you view God’s perspective on our mix of traits. See you in the comments.
REMINDER: The information shared in this series of posts, Healthy Relationships, is to add to our understanding of our relationships and with some specifics to marriage. The information I share has been vetted to the best of my ability. I may not have the full scope of practices or ministries of which I’ve obtained information or share.
Additionally, many post contain REAL LIFE experiences from our readers here at SUM. We will not judge or criticize anyone here for their experiences. We choose to love and we choose to learn. Because we will find ourselves and our friends within the process of these stories.
Please offer your thoughts and wisdom. We are all on a journey together. Blessings and hugs, Lynn Donovan
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