I’m An Extrovert.

If I’m thinking it, I’m likely telling someone about it. This can be quite annoying sometimes (for me and the people I’m speaking with). I often speak before my mind has a chance to keep up, and in hindsight I should have kept that thought to myself.

Furthermore, when someone else is speaking, my mind brings forward 5 additional questions and comments, before they’re even finished their statement.

On the other hand, my wife is an introvert and has no trouble keeping her thoughts to herself. Nicole is an amazing listener, catching a lot more of what’s really going on. When she shares, its valuable insight!

That being said, during difficult conversations, Nicole is often so agitated by the situation, that her mind can’t work fast enough. After the fact, she often comes up with all the things she wished she had of said in the moment.

Interesting isn’t it?

I, as an extrovert wish I hadn’t of spoken. Yet she, as an introvert wish she had of spoken. So many of us want the personality traits that we don’t naturally possess.

Then we meet Jesus!

The spiritual component enters into the picture and in my opinion, its at this point that it all starts to make sense. Once we accept Jesus, we are blessed with spiritual gifts, which adds the final component to our individual makeup as a person.

In Romans 12, Paul writes,

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (12:6-8)

My next statement will be no surprise to my friends and family.

I struggle showing mercy.

It’s not that I don’t want to or that I don’t think I should. I just don’t think of it. This is the same with the gifts of serving and hospitality. My mind generally works in the process, “if someone needs something, they’ll figure it out.“

Nicole on the other hand, seems to be acutely aware of people’s needs and even, their wants. Our student ministry loves this area of gifting! It usually means a plate of baked goods is always waiting for them, when they walk in our home.

Yesterday, she sent our boys out to the bus-stop in front of our house, to give someone a cookie!

I’m passionate about leadership.

Like Nicole’s desire to serve, it’s not something I have to convince myself to enjoy. I feel at peace when I am writing and teaching Biblical content, leading discussions and coordinating events or projects.

I believe that our personality make-up directly and specifically assists our individual gifts. After we receive the Holy Spirit, our spiritual gifts connect perfectly with our personality traits. All of sudden, it just feels right!

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

What do you like and/or dislike about your personality? How has your spiritual gifting accented your personality traits?