Alright, listen I know the Enneagram is all the rage right now but just maybe that is because it is honestly awesome! Hear me out. I have only known about the enneagram for the last year, and I wish I would have known about it years ago. Honestly, at first, I was a little skeptical. After studying and reading more about it and taking the test I realized just how valuable this resource is. Scroll down below to read the interview I had with Elisabeth Bennett at Enneagram Life! You can follow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/enneagram.life/
What is the Enneagram? “The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system that uses 9 types/or numbers to identify 9 ways of expressing personality. No-one really knows exactly where is came from. TheEnneagramInstitute.com has a pretty thorough history of what we do know, but it became what is most used today in the early 1960-70s and became popular in Christian/Catholic culture through Father Richard Rohrs books about 20 years ago. The Enneagram can feel really complicated at first, and the symbol is a little weird let's be honest, but once you dive in and see how accurate it is you’ll wonder what you ever did without it.”
Why should I take an Enneagram test? “We actually don’t think you should take a test. It can be a long process because Enneagram numbers are about your inner motivations not behaviors. I’d recommend getting a book like The Road Back To You and reading about all 9 types. We also have a typing guide on our website. https://elisabethdbennett.wixsite.com/enneagramlife/new-to-the-enneagram And of course I do coaching if you’d like a more interactive form of discovering your type.”
How can the Enneagram help me? “The Enneagram first and foremost helps us be aware of our own patterns, faults, and strengths. Self awareness is one of the powerful tools we can possess. Knowing what you do and why give you the opportunity to change, and enjoy your areas of strength.”
How does the enneagram apply to Christians? “The symbol itself turns many Christians off to the Enneagram, and I get that, however we have found we can use the Enneagram as a tool to expose blind spots in our lives, as well as help us to understand and have grace for those around us. Similar to how the 5 love languages helps us have words to love each other, the enneagram gives us the language to explain our inner world to others and empathize with the differences we have that we didn’t even know we needed to explain. As Christians we will not make excuses for our sin using the Enneagram, we do not worship the Enneagram's wisdom, because all wisdom comes from God alone, and we do not bararite or judge people based on what number they identify with.”
Wow, thank you so much Elisabeth!
I am personally a 2w3. I want to tell you a little bit about my type, you’ll get to know me a lot better too!
Growing up I realized I was a very passionate person, but especially when it came to people. There have been so many times in my life where I’ve loved or over-trusted people, and for the longest time I didn’t understand why personal relationships were so important to me, why I would forgive so so many times, and even apologize or feel less of a person if I didn’t love other people well. The type 2 is called “The Helper” and another word I would use to describe myself is the “The Feeler”. I feel a lot of different things all at the same time. While this can be hard for others to understand, with the enneagram I now understand that I’m a huge “feeler” because that’s how God has made me and I have learned how to use this in a healthy way, so it not only benefits those who I want to love but also so I don’t burn myself out, which can tend to happens a lot. I like taking care of everyone but myself. Something I’ve learned is: to take care of others well, I need to take care of myself and take inventory of what I need. Below I’m going to be getting vulnerable and sharing what it’s like to be a type 2.
Here’s a very brief summary of my type:
Twos are people who see the world through relationships and define themselves through their service to others. They may be selfless, loving, and giving; or dependent, prideful, and manipulative. What drives a Type Two to think, feel, and behave in particular ways? Core Fear: Being rejected and unwanted, being thought worthless, needy, inconsequential, dispensable, or unworthy of love. Core Desire: Being appreciated, loved, and wanted. Core Weakness: Pride —denying their own needs and emotions while using their amazing intuition to discover and focus on the emotions and needs of others, confidently inserting their helpful support in hopes that others will say how grateful they are for the Type 2s thoughtful care. Core Longing (message they long to hear): “You are wanted and loved.”
So what does one do with all this information?! This is only a small fraction of it! It has made me understand myself so much more and how I interact with people. The Enneagram is a great resource and I think we should take advantage of it’s helpfulness so that we can become more mindful of how God has uniquely designed each of us!
What’s your Enneagram type? Let me know in the comments?