Uncategorized – The Will to Wake Up

Not Too Late to Be Redeemed

As we reflect on Jesus reinstating Peter, we celebrate the redemption He offers us today.

Though Jesus visited the disciples shortly after rising from the dead, He didn’t stay with them for long. The disciples went back to their lives as fishermen, but Jesus had a greater calling for them.

Today’s Scripture:

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Even before Jesus reinstated Peter, Peter knew he belonged to Jesus. The sheer joy he must’ve felt as he dove into the water to be as near to the Lord as possible is so beautiful.

But even more beautiful is the intentional way Jesus redeemed Peter. He asked Peter three times whether he loved Him, and even though Peter’s hurt–likely reminded of his earlier betrayal of Jesus–he’s restored through this experience. He made a firm, complete promise to love Jesus forever.

I once heard that the only real difference between Peter’s story and Judas’ story is that Peter accepted Jesus’ second chance to follow Him. I believe Jesus would’ve redeemed Judas had he lived long enough to see Jesus rise again and accepted His forgiveness. Both men denied Jesus by following their flesh rather than their faith, which we all struggle with at times. But Peter was used powerfully by God because he repented.

This doesn’t mean Peter had an easy life after Jesus’ return to Heaven. He was repeatedly punished for his faith, and even lived up to his earlier promise that he would die for his commitment to the Lord. But Peter lived fully into his God-given calling and now he is reunited with Jesus–the ultimate blessing of following Christ.

Consider Jesus’ example: God led Him into death in order to bring about eternal life. We may be lead on a similar journey that involves pain, challenges, and sacrifices. While we won’t save the world (Jesus took care of that!), God graciously allows us the opportunity to enact His will and bring healing to broken hearts that are longing for His love.

Jesus is asking you the same question He asked Peter: will you follow me?

Following Jesus means eternal relationship with Him. Not a life of comfort or ease or power, but rather peace, joy, and purpose. When we are one of His disciples, we will never have to face anything alone.

Even if you’ve been a Christian for a long time, every day we are given the choice whether or not to follow Jesus’ example.

Will we ask for His forgiveness today? Will we take the time to be with our loving Lord? Will we surrender our will to Him?

Even if you’ve said no before, it’s not too late. Today is a fresh start.

Jesus is waiting, so patiently, for us to knock on His door. He’s ready to invite us into deeper relationship with Him.

The question is, are you ready to accept His love?

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

-Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

We praise you for loving us so deeply that you desire everlasting relationship with us. Help us to never neglect our relationship with You. Strengthen us so that we may remain faithful even when storms come. You chose us, now help us choose you. We love you, Father.

Amen.

When the Rooster Crows

Peter denied Jesus 3 times, symbolizing a complete rejection of Him. Yet Jesus has the power to transform our hearts, allowing Peter–and us–the chance to repent.

In yesterday’s devotional, Peter boldly declared that he was willing to die for his faith in Jesus, yet he couldn’t stay awake to pray with Jesus in the garden and joined the others in fleeing when He was arrested.

While these actions reveal Peter’s goal of self-preservation, Jesus also prophesied that Peter would verbally disown Him three times.

Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back and spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

It was cold, and the servants and the officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

-John 18:15-18 (NIV)

Then [Peter] began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:74-75 (NIV)

Peter was so close. He went farther than most of the other disciples by trailing after Jesus to see where the guards were taking Him. But while John (“the other disciple”) used his connections to be as near to Jesus as possible, and offered a way for Peter to join too, Peter chose comfort and security over speaking in faith.

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

-John 18:25-27 (NIV)

The number 3 symbolized completeness in those times. By Peter denying Jesus three times, he wasn’t just repeating himself to get his point across. He was solidifying his rejection of Jesus.

However, it’s no coincidence that Jesus’ resurrection took place in 3 days, showing that true completeness comes from Jesus alone. While we are dead in our sin when we reject God, Jesus has the power to transform our hearts and grant us new life in Him.

Reflection Questions:

Think back to a time when you hid your faith in order to preserve your reputation, relationships, comfort, or even safety.
What is something God might be calling you to do that’s outside your comfort zone?
How might relying on courage from the Lord strengthen your faith or deepen your relationship with Him?
How do you hope to see your faith grow this year?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the gift of your forgiveness, even when we have rejected you in the past–and may again in the future. We believe in you, but there are times when we struggle with doubt. Help us in our unbelief so that we can fully trust in You. We love you.

Amen.

Life Doesn’t Have to Make Sense

Do you struggle to trust God when life doesn’t go as planned?

There have been many moments in my life where I’ve watched a situation unfold, a relationship end, or my path take an unexpected turn that’s caused me to wonder, “Where is God in all this?”

The thing that’s been difficult for me to accept is that God is right there in the middle of all that doesn’t make sense. God desires to be known, but we will never fully be able to comprehend Him with the limited capacity we have as humans. And maybe that can bring us hope instead of fear.

Accepting that life is confusing and chaotic and even incredibly painful at times doesn’t mean we have to hide our emotions or deny the way these difficulties affect us. But it does mean we won’t lose our faith and trust in God even when the journey holds things we don’t understand or desire.

Today, I encourage you to be reminded that God is the God of the impossible. That means you won’t have everything figured out and that’s perfectly fine. Good, even.

God has extraordinary plans for you that may be hard to see right now, but it doesn’t make them any less possible. So whether you are holding up a troubling situation or an unknown future, hand your burdens to God because He cares for you.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:7-10

Single All the Way

Encouragement for those feeling lonely this holiday season.

Single at Christmas? Fear not, with a little mistletoe and a cup of cheer, you will soon find yourself swept into the arms of a charming stranger, ready to never spend another Christmas alone.

That’s what all the holiday movies assure us, anyway. But life tends to prove otherwise.

While it may seem silly or even humiliating, it’s completely natural to feel particularly lonely at Christmas, even if you are normally secure in your singleness. The media screams at us that the holidays are meant for togetherness, so where’s your partner already?

Perhaps the problem is that this message isn’t completely false. The birth of Jesus brought people together from around the world, each experiencing and celebrating His arrival in their own way.

But when we really think about that faithful night, the glitter and glitz falls away. The story begins with a man and his wife who were “behind” those in their generation by not being parents. Then we find a young couple who were faced with sudden difficulties, yet persevered through their trust in God. We meet stinky shepherds, outcasts in society, elevated to the first proclaimers of the good news. Later on, we are inspired by the wise men, who were likely thought of as eccentric rather than brilliant.

Maybe our cast would’ve been the ones without dates to gatherings, the uninvited guests, the ones “still” without kids to celebrate Christmas with, or the socially awkward relatives. Maybe they would’ve grown up as the wallflowers, the last picked on the team, or the nerds. Maybe they didn’t feel like their belonged either.

Despite how you might feel, whether there’s an empty place beside you at the table or in your heart, you are not a failure for not being in a romantic relationship, no matter your age or position or faith.

Most of all, being single doesn’t mean you are alone this holiday season.

God knows exactly who you need and He will guarantee that you connect with those people. Perhaps you are meant to be married someday, and if so, God has that person picked out for you and wants you to use this time to prepare your heart for the next stage of your life. Or maybe you will be content with independent living and God will surround you with friends and family who will love you.

Either way is okay. You are not worth any less no matter how your life plays out.

This Christmas, instead of feeling sorry for yourself over your relationship status, consider it one of those “blessings amidst pain” moments. We may be able to experience the Christmas story in a whole new light when we realize what we have in common with God’s unlikely chosen. ❤

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.
1 Corinthians 7:17

Fully Known, Fully Loved

Hope for when faith feels overwhelming.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
John 21:25

This verse used to frustrate me. Just when I thought the Bible included everything we needed to know about Jesus, it turns out so much happened that not even the whole world has room for it all!

As followers of Jesus, we long to know Him. That’s the true stem of all the debates, divisions, and doubts in the church. Ultimately, we want to be the one who knows Jesus the most and who understands His teaching the best, so that we’re sure of His love.

But clearly, that’s not how Jesus works.

And in that case, it can feel overwhelming trying to understand Jesus when we know we only have a portion of knowledge about Him.

Have you ever read a book with such deep characters, compelling plotlines, and intertwined with an overwhelming passion that you suddenly wanted to know the author? Or maybe you felt like you knew the author simply through reading their book.

The Bible is designed to teach us how to live and understand our history, for sure. But the most important purpose of the Bible is to draw us closer to God. Through reading it, we can better understand our Creator and desire an intimate relationship with Him.

Part of this craving comes from not ever being able to fully understand all that God is. Perhaps if we had all the stories and all the answers, we wouldn’t long for this relationship so deeply.

As I consider this verse once more, I have a new appreciation for its meaning. Jesus gave us just what we needed in order to understand enough of Him to aim to be like Him and to rest assured that we will always be loved by Him.

This Christmas, no matter the questions and confusions you may have about your future, your faith, or anything in your life, I hope you are filled with peace knowing that no matter what, Jesus loves you.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

You Are Worth The Cost

You matter to God ❤

It’s just a paper plate.

I kept trying to convince myself of that as I walked in the door last night after a long evening of leading children’s programming at church. Still recovering from jet lag and a full day of classes, I funneled the remnants of my energy into spending time with the kids. Yet, of course, it was completely worth it after reflecting on their thoughtful answers, seeing their smiling faces, and most all, hearing their laughter!

Though the highlight of the night came at the end, when a sweet little girl came up and handed me a plate. It wasn’t just an old plate–it was adorned with multicolored paint splatters surrounding the words: “I ❤ you”.

A smile immediately illuminated my face as I gave her a quick squeeze and a “thank you” that couldn’t have possibly conveyed how much it meant to me.

And then in the hubbub of parents picking up their children and cleaning the giant mess of paint, the plate was somehow lost in the mix. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized my special gift was missing.

I tore apart my bags, just to make sure, though I knew deep down that it was somewhere in the locked up building.

It’s not worth driving all the way back and setting off the alarms, I reminded myself. But somehow, it almost felt worth it.

How funny it is that something as simple as a paper plate can have so much value once personalized. You might have something similar at home: what was once a piece of scratch paper is now a treasured love note; an old receipt is the reminder of easier days; a dusty photo is the last memory of a beloved person.

And to God, we were once just dust particles, and now we are worth the ultimate sacrifice. God would give up everything–in fact, He did!–just to be with us. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus would go searching high and low to make sure each of us are still with Him. He would go back for that one paper plate, no matter the cost or humiliation or time. We are worth it to Him.

Today, I hope you can allow yourself to believe that you are a valuable, beloved creation that has an extraordinary purpose. When God made you, He knew exactly what He was doing. You can’t mess up God’s plan for you. And even when things feel all out of alignment, God’s love for you will never fail. ❤

“I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:10-11

How Nines Relate to Other Types

“It is quite clear that between love and understanding there is a very close link…He who loves understands, and he who understands loves. One who feels understood feels loved, and one who feels loved feels sure of being understood.”
― Paul Tournier

Since this is an Enneagram blog, among other things, I thought it would be helpful to post about how I feel Nines relate to other types. By no means is this supposed to make one type seem more compatible to Nines or make one type sound better than another. It’s just my personal reflection on how different people’s types has affected my relationships with them. I hope you can enjoy/relate!

Ones- The Clean to Our Cluttered

I don’t have very many Ones (to my knowledge) in my life, but those that I do know are very admirable to a Nine. I don’t know about you, but I am very disorganized and I often have a hard time bringing myself to get rid of belongings etc. But Ones are good at getting Nines into action and cleaning. In addition, I’m a jist person, but Ones are more detail oriented. Nines can help Ones relax while Ones can help Nines notice details when it comes to projects etc. One thing that Ones and Nines have in common is that they can be pretty sensitive when it comes to criticism. In a way, that should actually help Ones and Nines relate because they will be more sensitive to each other.

Twos- Each Other’s Helping Hand

I have a lot of Twos in my life, and I really appreciate them. For one, they are usually that person that Nines want to have that actually asks how they are doing and if they need anything. Nines, in turn, will generally notice when a Two needs something but isn’t addressing it and that can be helpful for Twos to know that someone cares about their needs. Last year, I had a Two in my life that consistently asked me to do join her when she noticed that I was alone, and I really appreciated that it was in her nature to not give up after being nice once, but continuing to help me. My mom has scored as a Two (although I still think she might be a Six) and I do appreciate how she will often ask me about how things are going and if she can help me with anything. However, I (like maybe some other Nines) want to do things/handle things my own way and it can be frustrating for Nines to have a Two always wanting to know their business. But overall, I’d say that Nines and Twos get along very well. (But then again, both of these types get along well with most everybody):)

Threes- A Life that Would Exhaust a Nine

A friend that I grew up with is without a shadow of a doubt a Three. I think that some types are more easy to mistype (I actually thought I was a six for several months before realizing I was a Nine) but Threes are one of those that don’t, in my experience. Threes are what Nines might dream of becoming but do not often become. This is not necessarily a good or bad thing. It’s just that Threes work so hard to get their goals and must always be the best at what they do, while Nines…well…we are more like “Sure, that sounds good” but then again, so does curling up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket with the dog. Threes give Nines structure and help Nines get that motivation to go out and get what they want from life. However, Nines balance a Three by giving them a bit more perspective on life. Nines have a way of saying “there’s more to life than this game” that a Three might be able to accept.

Fours- The One Nines Turn to When Life Gets Hard

I’ve often been told that Fours are the rarest Enneagram type to be. However, I have had the pleasure of having two amazing friends that are Fours. I usually talk to them when I want to be reminded of fond memories or when I just want to reminisce. They are so sympathetic and when I just want someone to listen to me and not say “just cheer up already”, Fours are the ones to turn to. In turn, Nines are usually more optimistic, and can help Fours see the bright side of things, while still taking into consideration that Fours might not be ready to move on yet. On the downside, Fours and Nines often have trouble letting go of things, and they might just sit around being upset about that bully from fifth grade instead of doing something more useful. However, I think that Nines and Fours have a lot of common interests and personality traits, and therefore make good companions for each other.

Fives- Another Observer

Fives and Nines often have things in common, especially less social Nines. I personally do not follow the trend of preferring to take a nap over going out with friends, but I can understand a Five’s resistance towards large crowds. One thing that I in particular (and I know other Nines that have this trait) is the ability to notice things quickly about other people. I am 99% sure that my dad is a Five, and whenever we do talk with each other, we are usually discussing random traits that we have noticed in other people that they often don’t even realize about themselves. Fives retain more facts than I do, but Fives and Nines are often quick to figure out things that many may otherwise miss. Fives sometimes do not understand how Nines gravitate towards other people, when Fives generally preferred to be alone, which sometimes bothers Nines. However, by both being quiet, deeper thinkers, they can relate pretty well to each other.

Sixes- The Loyal One That Nines Love

So, I might have a slight bias here since I know SO MANY sixes (it’s the most common type actually) and most of the sixes I know are close friends of mine. And, as I mentioned earlier, I did mistype as Six for a while. Sixes and Nines have quite a bit in common, especially more social Nines. They share anxiety and a deep sense of concern for others. They are friends whose loyalty can be taken for granted. But Sixes are more expressive about their feelings, while Nines hide it behind a calm exterior. However, through these shared traits and similarity when it comes to friendship, they get along pretty well. Nines give Sixes a place to relax and see a positive light while Sixes can be there for Nines when they really need someone and make sure that they are thinking practically. Nines are usually more fearful of conflict, which causes them to merge with others, while Sixes stick firmer to their loyalty for their opinions. But I personally think that Nines and Sixes can balance each other out pretty well.

Sevens- The Energized Version of a Nine

Okay, here me out on this one. It didn’t hit me until recently, but I realized that Sevens are almost a “fast” version of a Nine. Sevens have a lot of energy, while Nines typically do not. Sevens are joyful and excited, while Nines are optimistic as well, but calm. Sevens have to go out and do everything while Nines want to be included, but enjoy staying in. These might seem more like opposites, but Sevens and Nines have a lot of the same desires. They both tend to avoid pain, but generally for different reasons. They both are the “encouraging friend”. Sevens indulge on experiences and things while Nines indulge on rest. I personally think that Sevens and Nines have a wonderful time together. The Seven friends that I have are so much fun, and they make me more energized and excited about things. They help me take risks and encourage me to be myself. Nines often help Sevens feel more content, and are there for them when they need to process things. Fours are good for Sevens because they help them explore the less “friendly” emotions, but I think Nines are good for Sevens too because they can give the type of encouraging responses Sevens want to hear and they don’t dwell on those negative things for longer than necessary.

Eights- A Little Scary, But Good for Nines

We used to have an amazing youth pastor at my church, and she was an Eight. I will admit that when I was younger, I used to be intimidated by her directness and strong presence. But as I got to know her, I started realizing why everyone loved her so much. She was determined to be there for each of the youth and she was fun to be around. She was one of the most devoted people I have ever met. Eights fight for justice, and I think that Nines have an admiration for how Eights are so willing to go after the causes they are passionate about. Eights and Nines are pretty much opposites, but opposites are good for each other because it forces the other to grow. And Nines help Eights realize that they can trust others and be vulnerable, while Eights allow Nines to realize that honesty and confidence are necessary for daily life.

Nines- Instant Connection

Even though I’m a Nine, and I’ve been writing general things about Nines based on those I know, the general things most Nines have in common, and my personal experience, I thought it would be good to write about how this Nine relates to other Nines. First of all, I think it’s an instant connection when one type meets another that’s the same. I have one particularly close Nine friend and we could talk for hours about all the Nine traits we share and how they play out in our daily life. (In fact, we probably have since we are bot so Enneagram obsessed ha-ha) Nines are good for each other because we know what means a lot to us and what we want to have in other people, so we can be that for each other. We also provide a place of comfort and encouragement for each other. However, we also can encourage each other to procrastinate or to blend if it avoids conflict, which can be problems. But I think that Nines in relationships with other Nines definitely have an understanding of each other that other types may not get so quickly.

In Conclusion…

I think that there are definitely certain types that Nines “click with” faster, but that certainly does not mean that Nines should avoid certain types. I believe that any type can get along with each other if we appreciate our differences and understand each other. I hope this article was interesting, and let me know your thoughts on how your type affects how you relate to others!

A Word of Appreciation

“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Carl W. Buechner

I was going to do a post on regret, but I changed my mind, at least temporarily. The reason is because I finally stepped back from my present situations for a moment and took a look at what I did have. And while I was feeling lonely, I realized how many truly amazing friends I do have. Sure, I can count the number of them with my fingers, but the impact they have had on my life is unmeasurable. Treasure the friends that will listen to you even when you don’t have the words to express how you feel. Those people that will make even the littlest thing that’s upsetting you matter are the ones that can never be replaced. I think that I have not put some things into perspective, which happens to me a lot (you might be able to relate). But after talking to my friends, even about stuff that was vague, I felt like I could see what was happening more clearly. I am eternally grateful for my friends that are there for me and whenever I am worried that I don’t have what I need, I have to remember that God has given me some incredible people and I would not be willing to do anything in the world in exchange for them. So, to those of you in my life that this applies to (if you’re reading this and know me then it’s probably you) I’m sorry if I’ve taken you for granted in any way. If there’s one thing in life that I know I can’t live without (besides God obviously) it would be my amazing few friends ❤ Take some time today to express your love for your friends, you won’t regret it!

“There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.”
– Diana Cortes

“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.”
– Donna Roberts

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24

The Painful Thing About Pain…and How We Avoid It

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
-Corrie Boom

Common Misconceptions

As a Nine, I have often been told that we procrastinate, over sleep, and become overly obsessed with our couch and Netflix. However…that’s not really the case for me. I get up at a early/reasonable time pretty easily (except on a few rare occasions), I used to despise sleeping as a child because I thought it wasted away the day, and I am usually too stressed about deadlines to procrastinate. (Can’t say too much about the TV problem when it comes to the Flash though…) That made me question my Nine-ness when I was first learning about the Enneagram. However, I learned to realize that sleeping meant more than just laying down. It meant all the times I daydreamed about false realities to comfort myself, all the times I actually made myself more busy in order to avoid other tasks, and all the times that I mentally blocked myself from accepting the truth. I have heard experts talking about this as the not physical “sleep” Nines often take part in. This might be a coping mechanism for you too, and I want to help us both figure out another way to deal with pain.

Our Reasons Why

People without this habit might often wonder why we feel like this does anything to help the situation. Some might guess that it’s so we can feel instant happiness instead of dealing with the long awaited troubles. Honestly, I feel like it’s beyond the instant gratification. If you’re anything like me, the last thing you want to do is be a burden to other people. I may not be a Two in the sense that I try to go out of my way to do things for other people (even though I do try to sometimes), but if I can keep my feelings and problems to myself, then I feel like I won’t worry someone. Or better yet, that I never have to find out that my problems DIDN’T concern anyone else. Slightly off topic but I feel like a huge Nine fear is that we don’t matter to anyone else. (I’ll touch on this subject in a future post). But feeling the pain of that or other things ranging from loneliness to confrontation are the things that make us inwardly shut down even if we are outwardly getting everything done. Another thing that may be a factor in how we handle difficult things is the fact that although we may appear calm on the outside, we are having a constant panic cycle going on inside. It’s not always there, but when a stress arises, we still want to hold control and our way of getting “control” is by turning off the things that are in our way.

The Hard Truth

I’m sure that everyone already knows this, but it’s an important reminder: eventually, the thing that we’re avoiding is going to happen, whether we like it to or not. We might be able to stall something, but that could make it escalate into an even greater problem or at the very least, it will still occur.

However…

We do not have to let these problems become what we have made them to be in our heads. At least for me, the more I think about things, the harder it is for me to take action. I analyze what could go wrong, how people will react, and how hard it could be to do. But if we just go out and face our problems, then we can finally move on. Moving on is so hard for me, whether it be in relationships or from certain feelings. I tend to cling onto what I know. However, the best way to move on is to address the issue right away and then be able to have peace about the situation. And we Nines love peace, don’t we? 🙂 And the important thing to remember is that we don’t have to go through hard things alone. When I see my friends going through things, all I want them to know is that I’m there for them. The important thing for us is to have those people in our lives, who are willing to actually listen and pray for us.

A Few Tips

First of all, remember that no matter what, it’s okay to be upset. It’s okay to take some time for yourself to reflect on the situation, to pray, and to find comfort. It’s even okay to take a while to process what happened. But then there has to be a time of taking action and letting go.

As for some tips for processing things, here are some that have helped me:

Taking a long, quiet walk
Journaling (Either prayer journaling or just journaling your thoughts and feelings)
Talking things out with a close friend or family member (sometimes it’s better to do it with someone who is unrelated to the situation so that they do not have a bias or can give new insight)
Making a playlist that helps you (I have a few songs that give me comfort, and when I’m going through a rough time, they have really helped me get perspective)
Making a list of what hurt you specifically so that you can address those things and not make the situation bigger than it really is
Making a list of positive people or events in your life that you are thankful for

In Conclusion…

I one hundred percent understand how hard it is to deal with things that feel out of control and it’s easy to slip into that “sleepwalking through life” mentality. But if you do that, then you will miss the good as well as the difficult. Just know that the pain isn’t going to last forever, and if you have made it this far, you have the strength to get through it. Thanks for reading this, and let me know if this was any help. I hope you all have a blessed day!

A Little About Me

An Introduction

“Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.”
– H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Welcome! First of all, I’m really grateful to whoever decided to read my blog, and I hope it’s as encouraging to you as writing is for me. I’m a little obsessed with the Enneagram, if you can’t already tell, but this blog will go beyond the things about Enneagram Nines. It is welcome to anyone who wants encouragement, can relate, or just feels like thinking about things for a while. I am not sure how often I will update, but I will hopefully figure that out soon so stay tuned! Below are a few things about what this blog will contain:

Encouragement
Personal insight into things related to being a Nine
Reflection
Possibly some fiction writing in the future, since that’s also my passion
Probably some random stuff, since that’s what often happens on blogs 🙂

A few facts about me are:

I’m a Christian, so you will see some verses on here!
I LOVE motivational quotes so you will also see a lot of those!
I absolutely love animals, especially horses and dogs
I like photography, and I might eventually start using that for my pictures on here
I would love feedback and your opinions on the subjects I write about!

A Little Edit Since I Began This Blog!

Hello! I just wanted to say that to whoever has been reading my blog, I didn’t end up sticking to everything I had promised. I started out focused on how it is being an Enneagram Nine, and ended up shifting to more things about faith, joy, and other traits that are important to me. If you are expecting to find things about the Enneagram from my blog, then there will not be as much, although I’m still a crazy fan, haha. But instead, I hope you find comfort, healing, and the possibility to explore more to your life and have some self-realization. After all, the Enneagram is designed to help you go on the path you were meant to take based on who you are, and I’m here to affirm that message and give some insight about what I believe God is trying to share to you today. Thank you again for reading! Love you all!

❤ Hannah