Visionaries

[Inkachu]

I think I understand what you're saying about our longing for God (and how our feeling "misunderstood" can lead us to Him).....but I don't really see this as displacing all that. It's not a substitute for God's love and comfort (it may even allow a person to come to a place of peace and acceptance about how God created them uniquely---and see the value in that).

I think it was actually Inka that mentioned a while back about how so many churches have this set mold for how women in the church are supposed to be and what they like. The activities are then based all around that set pattern ("come join us for scrap booking night" or whatever). That's exclusionary. I'm not naturally organized---and often because of that---people (especially women that have the organization gene) can't understand why I don't see organizing my cupboards as "fun" and "fulfilling". It's not that I'm lazy.....undisciplined.....or even need to work on changing that. I just value other things more (it's part of my personality). Having this to explain that is reassuring. It's not that I feel superior in my ways....because (like you mentioned) all of these personalities cause each person to feel "special" (isn't that a good thing? Not "superior"....but valuable....just the way they are). I think it also allows for us to see the value in the other personalities. None of the 16 types are even written as if one is more superior than the other (I think that's what's great about it---the *lack* of exclusion or superiority/competition). There's value in all unique categories.

We *should* strive to bond with people of all types....and I really think this helps to understand how others may think/prioritize/react differently than we do.

YES. THIS. I bolded the stuff that really stood out to me. It's not about feeling special or better or superior, it's about being reassured that I'm not "weird" or "crazy" or something's wrong with me. It's shown me that I make sense to someone besides me! It's shown me that God didn't screw up when He made me, or that life hasn't taken what God intended me to be and screwed it up... it's a wonderful revelation.

 

[mkgal1]

YES. THIS. I bolded the stuff that really stood out to me. It's not about feeling special or better or superior, it's about being reassured that I'm not "weird" or "crazy" or something's wrong with me. It's shown me that I make sense to someone besides me! It's shown me that God didn't screw up when He made me, or that life hasn't taken what God intended me to be and screwed it up... it's a wonderful revelation.

Well said

I think it can cause some resentment (even towards God) when a person is trying hard to fit into a box another person has created for them (especially when there's this implication that "this is what a 'woman of God' looks like"....."this is the *right* way to do it") and it's just not in our nature to squeeze into that.

 

[Annessa3]

"I think it can cause some resentment (even towards God) when a person is trying hard to fit into a box another person has created for them (especially when there's this implication that "this is what a 'woman of God' looks like"....."this is the *right* way to do it") and it's just not in our nature to squeeze into that."

and that's exactly why I veer away from categorizations.

 

[mkgal1]

"I think it can cause some resentment (even towards God) when a person is trying hard to fit into a box another person has created for them (especially when there's this implication that "this is what a 'woman of God' looks like"....."this is the *right* way to do it") and it's just not in our nature to squeeze into that."

and that's exactly why I veer away from categorizations.

But do you see how this makes allowance for everyone? It's not the same thing as a specific mold (and there're degrees of each characteristic, too). It's really just a way to get to know yourself (and acknowledge that not everyone is the same--we are more complex).

For instance.....one of the sections is about how a person makes their decisions and deals with emotions....whether they are more on the "thinking" side or the "feeling" side. One person may be all the way to the "thinking" side---and another can be right in the middle. Everyone has *some* place there, though.

 

[Inkachu]

Well said

I think it can cause some resentment (even towards God) when a person is trying hard to fit into a box another person has created for them (especially when there's this implication that "this is what a 'woman of God' looks like"....."this is the *right* way to do it") and it's just not in our nature to squeeze into that.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees... you SO get it... I love you!

 

[Inkachu]

"I think it can cause some resentment (even towards God) when a person is trying hard to fit into a box another person has created for them (especially when there's this implication that "this is what a 'woman of God' looks like"....."this is the *right* way to do it") and it's just not in our nature to squeeze into that."

and that's exactly why I veer away from categorizations.

I don't think of Meyers Briggs as "categorizing". I think of it as "describing". It isn't saying people should be this or that, it's allowing a huuuuge variety of personalities and explaining each one. There is no "should be" involved. It's describing what is.

 

[mkgal1]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees... you SO get it... I love you!

Love you, too

 

[Inkachu]

Think of it like you're sitting in a corner feeling very left out, odd, freakish, and misunderstood. Two people come up to you. The first says "If you would just try to be different, you'd fit in". The second one says "You're feeling very left out, odd, freakish, and misunderstood, and this is why. And guess what? You aren't the only one who's like this. You aren't alone, and I do understand you!"

See the difference?