There is no doubt that we are each born with unique personalities. My firstborn was easy and compliant from birth. Being young, naive and in need of some humility, I thought that I was simply a great mama! When others had fussy babies, I judged that they were just lacking in their parenting skills. Pride goes before a fall, and my fall came with baby number two, who was a strong-willed, fussy, non-sleeper. I prayed, I cried, I wondered how my baby got demon possessed. (Just kidding! Well, sort of.) My epiphany came when I read The Strong Willed Child and discovered that some babies are just born that way. It's part of their unique personality, which God wants to use for His purposes and plans.
The other day I heard Ravi Zacharias say, "There's nothing more beautiful than a Spirit filled personality." Immediately I thought of Ephesians 3:16 in the Amplified Bible. I think sometimes we can use our unique personality traits as an excuse. "I'm just too timid to ever talk to someone about Jesus, that's just not my personality." "I'm just quick tempered, I've always been that way, it's just my personality." I don't think when we come to Christ that God wants or expects us to become someone other than the unique, one of a kind that He created. But, when we allow His Holy Spirit to indwell our innermost being and personality then we become the best us we can be. The strong willed person who is submitted to His Spirit is used to do great things for His kingdom. The more tender or compliant nature submitted to Him, becomes a safe harbor for people to come to when they need a listening ear. When the Holy Spirit fills our innermost being and personality, we yield to Him, allowing God to see through our eyes, listen through our ears, speak through our mouth, love through our heart, touch through our hands, yet we are still uniquely and fully ourselves. Our beautiful, Spirit filled, one of a kind self.
still following,
Awesome post, Elizabeth! Very encouraging! Thanks so much for sharing! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! :-)
ReplyDeleteI can so identify with you, dear friend. My firstborn was a 'model' child from day one. Well, almost. My second, like yours, was a strong-willed baby from the get-go! Both are grown and dear people whose personalities are special. Thank you for this great post.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
Beautiful words!
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