“Well, it takes all kinds.”
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,…”
Some contemporary scholars find the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator passe, but I believe it remains a helpful tool for learning to relate with others and understand ourselves better. The personality indicator is a tool to help us with the complex challenge of empathy. The more we can empathize and understand, the more patience we have with others who respond differently than we would in similar circumstances.
God saw the need to create an ability to empathize. Becoming human in Jesus the Christ was an act of empathy. Each interaction Jesus has in the gospels was a “Well, it takes all kinds” moment. Not only did Jesus have to articulate the difference between good and evil to a bunch of ignorant humans, but he also had to do so from a perspective each human could relate to and understand.
To be Christ-like means to find a way to relate to others in a way that brings mutual respect and support. Relating to those different from ourselves is not an easy task. It is challenging to learn how to connect to those different from ourselves unless we intentionally understand their worldview. Extroverts think Introverts withhold themselves from others, while extroverts often appear shallow to the introvert. Those who are planners think those who fly by the seats of their pants are disorganized. Those who fly by the seat of their pants believe the organized cannot respond well to inevitable change. These are two simple examples, and there are several more complex ways of trying to understand emotional and intellectual differences.
Today, when your patience with someone starts to ebb, think about how the person is different from you. Rather than react with frustration, try considering what in their personality causes them to respond the way they do a particular situation. Learning to empathize requires patience and wisdom. Prayerfully seek God’s guidance as you attempt to relate instead of cast aside. When you do, you will experience the opportunity for reconciliation and greater interpersonal connection. It may seem frustrating and draining to make the extra effort, but it can make a world of difference.
