Character traits and Godly training.

I think I'm a fairly observant person...... No, I'm an extremely observant person. I seem to notice things some times that I think others don't see. I seem to have perspectives that are unique and enable me to have an innate sense of perceptiveness. 

I am also a deeply emotion person. I'm very sensitive to my own feelings as well as others. This fragile state is part of who I am. 

Sensitivity toward others is a good thing. God tells us we should be sensitive. 

Romans 12:16

Be sensitive to each other's needs - don't think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don't be conceited.

God also tells us we should be perceptive, but from an eternal view point. 

Colossians  3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

If you pair sensitivity with perspective, you can have a very powerful effect on other people and the influences you have on their lives.

However, as with any trait or characteristic, they can go very wrong when not trained to be handled properly. 

Being super sensitive also means that I tend to overthink EVERYTHING. Pain is felt just as deeply as joy. Other people's responses to me can have profoundly devastating effects when I'm not keeping a leash on my emotions. I feel vulnerable almost all of the time. This has caused me to become, or attempt to, numb myself. The problem with numbing yourself is that you never actually become less sensitive. In fact, your heart will ache and break more often when you ignore or stuff the feelings. You just end up corrupting your perspective and everyone seems to be an enemy. Suddenly, the people you thought cared about you appear to have abandoned you. Listen to me, if you feel like no one is interested in you, or they just don't care about you in the same way you care for them, you are more than likely dead wrong. What you have to realize is that every person has different traits and characteristics that God strategically gives them to live out their callings and ultimately to glorify Him. If we were all overly sensitive and widely perceptive, there would be a whole lot more misconception, hasty reactions, and corrupt relationships. We need different traits to balance our relationships and bring uniqueness to the table. 

My husband is my polar opposite. He's often unaware of my feelings. I, however, can sense when he's upset within seconds of him entering a room. I've learned that if I'm feeling lonely or sad I have to verbally explain the depth of my feelings when I want comfort from him. And that's OKAY. It doesn't mean he's being apathetic, or indifferent, he just possesses different traits than I do. 

Now, here's what you need to watch out for; Satan is a liar and you better believe he's going to do everything he can to defile your sensitivity and perspective. He will use these traits as fierce weapons that will leave you aching breathlessly on the sidelines. I know, I've been there. It almost feels euphoric, like walking through a crowded room sobbing but no one sees or hears you. It's a dark dejected place to be.

Now I'm not suggesting you start battening the hatches and push everyone out of your life. For years I have put up walls and barriers in attempt to protect my feelings. This is true for anyone who has been deeply hurt. This response, though, many times unintentional, sets us up for greater hurt and disappointment. We assume that in keeping ourselves closed up, the pain will be less. What happens is when we do end up in a painful situation, we become vastly more devastated because we've already created stipulations on how much pain we should feel. When the pain exceeds those boundaries, we are absolutely crushed. 

So, here's what you can do to keep those traits working for you, not against you. 

1. Don't make assumptions. Don't assume that everyone should just know how you are feeling. Only you and God truly know the depth of what you are feeling. 

2. Be realistic. Don't let your mind run rampant. Always bring everything back to God's word. Check for accuracy. Abandon anything that doesn't line up and move forward with the truths. 

3. Kill the expectations. Putting expectations on people or situations will only leave you frustrated and hurt. Never expect situations to have a certain outcome. Just act in whatever way you feel lead and trust God to do the work. 

4. Check your emotions. Always ask yourself if what you are feeling correlates with God's truths. Ask God to reveal any deception in your emotions. 

5. Use your gift! You have a beautiful gift. You have the ability to sense when someone needs an encouraging word. You are able to perceive problems before they arise. God gave you sensitivity and perceptiveness to be used for Him. So Glorify Him and use what He's given you.  

6.Train yourself. 1 Timothy talks about training yourself to be Godly. How do we learn a new job or strengthen muscles? From training. So keep yourself close to God in prayer and fellowship. Read the word every day. Ask God to give you more opportunities to use your gifts, and trust that He will help you to become stronger and more efficient. 

7. Give yourself permission to fail. No one has ever became good at something without failing. Failing is a beautiful thing! It's the birth place of tireless endurance. Our failures soften the hardest parts of our heart. Failure takes us to a place of humility and allows room for the spirit to work within us. 

Weather you're sensitive, perceptive, or you possess different traits, these steps are pretty universal. I think you will find them usefully regardless of what your strengths and weaknesses are. And I'm sure that I will need to come back to this and reread it for myself. 

I want the end with these thoughts:

1 Timothy 4 states that physical training has some value but godliness has value for ALL things holding promise for both the present life and life to come. 

So much depth in that one statement. 

He goes on to say USE YOUR GIFT! Watch your character, teach others by your life, and be immersed in the word. 

Live by these and those around you will be brought to freedom!! That's great news, friends! That's what we're here for. Love God and love His people. Glory and honor to Him forever!