Most people consider personality & all it’s aspects pretty much a static thing once you’re an adult...
“I’m just shy”, “Oh, I’ve always been like this since a kid”, “I’m pretty similar to my mum - prone to depression”, “I’m an extrovert”, “You are clearly an optimist, I’m not”.
I continue to learn that this is pretty much a fallacy. I wouldn’t say that generally overnight “a pessimist” will turn into “an optimist” but I’m learning that these words are just labels that we attach to people who have (learnt) certain skills - whether it be to operate with confidence or optimism or to be talented at finding the negatives in life and magnifying & ruminating on them.
A ton of scriptures look at this subject - from being a “new creation” to “taking thoughts captive” to the concept of being discipled by Jesus & those like him to “renewing your mind” to name a handful.
It’s a concept I continue to apply to myself as I let Jesus disciple me, often through His representatives & scripture. It’s a road all followers (note - not going the way we used to?!) are called to follow.
I suppose it’s a bit like the now not so trendy mantra: “What would Jesus do?”
Not only in actions but how would He be, react,live & love? Sometimes this can be too abstract to be of real assistance to us but, I believe, in the discipleship business we’re called to model those who exhibit to us some aspect of Jesus (we all have strengths & weaknesses). I have a number of people who I seek to model in particular ways according to their current “personality”. Whether it be their confidence & opportunism, there sunny disposition, humility or dedication or generosity etc. These traites may not “come naturally” to me but that doesn’t mean repentance of ungodly ways or thoughts isn’t necessary. The question is not “what is ‘me’?” but “what am I called to be?”. A little repetition creates habit and before you know it the new skill is assimilated and bingo - it’s now “me”. This is actually what we do all the time. It’s called maturing, growing up, putting off old ways and puttiing on Christ.
I caught myself yesterday mid thought & decided to challenge myself to operate “out of character”, only in a minor way but still...
I looked at a task that needed doing that was kinda overdue & thought “Ughhhh! No, I can’t be bothered...it’s evening & I’m tired & and I’m not going to do it”. Normally that would have been the end of it.
Then I recalled how a friend on a previous night just got up & got on with a similar task & it was done in no time. I recalled their immediate step to action - their unfettered drive and the net result (my chair was fixed) and before I knew it I was on task and actually quite motivated and happy about this (I was genuinely surprised at the mental turn around!) And then of course I was glad to see the office now decluttered & items put in the loft. :-)
Does this mean I’m now highly motivated at all times? Not yet!
...it’s a work in progress....one thought at a time sweet Jesus!
[I guess we all know that exteme life events can change perspectives & outlooks overnight. What has happened then? Put simply perspective has been challenged to the point of changing. This can drive a person to value every day or indeed the inverse - lead a person to conclude life is no longer worth living. Which way they go depends of course on what the event is and more importantly how it is handled by the “experiencer”.
May I not wait for death itself to creep up before I choose to make the most of the life I have on this earth.]
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