Exploring the Enneagram: A Tool to Better Understand Yourself and Others

Have you ever felt like you just can't seem to shake certain patterns of behavior or thought processes? Or maybe you've noticed that you tend to react to certain situations or people in a particular way, but you're not sure why? As Christian women, we are called to seek self-awareness, grow in our faith, and love others as Christ loves us. The Enneagram, a model of personality that describes nine distinct patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, can be a helpful tool in this journey. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the Enneagram, including its history, how it works, and how we can use it to deepen our relationship with God, ourselves, and others.

The Enneagram can help us gain insight into our motivations, fears, and desires, and how they shape our behavior and relationships. By identifying our Enneagram type, we can better understand our strengths and weaknesses, our sin patterns, and our unique gifts and callings. As Christian women, this understanding can help us grow in humility, self-awareness, and compassion, and deepen our relationship with God as we learn to trust in His grace and love for us.

Here are brief descriptions of the nine Enneagram types:

1. The Perfectionist: Strives to do things right, follow rules, and improve themselves and the world. Can be critical and judgmental of themselves and others.
2. The Helper: Cares for others and seeks to be helpful, often putting the needs of others before their own. Can be overly dependent on others' approval and have difficulty setting boundaries.
3. The Achiever: Driven to succeed, achieve goals, and be recognized for their accomplishments. Can struggle with feeling like they are only as valuable as their achievements.
4. The Individualist: Values individuality, creativity, and self-expression. Can be emotionally intense and feel misunderstood or disconnected from others.
5. The Investigator: Analytical and curious, seeks to understand the world and acquire knowledge. Can be private and withdrawn, and struggle with social interactions.
6. The Loyalist: Values safety, security, and loyalty to others. Can be anxious and indecisive, and may struggle with trusting themselves and others.
7. The Enthusiast: Optimistic and spontaneous, seeks new experiences and avoids boredom. Can struggle with focusing on long-term goals and be easily distracted.
8. The Challenger: Assertive and confident, seeks to control their environment and protect themselves and others. Can be confrontational and struggle with vulnerability and asking for help.
9. The Peacemaker: Values harmony, peace, and avoiding conflict. Can be easygoing and accommodating, but may struggle with assertiveness and speaking up for themselves.

It's important to note that these are brief descriptions and that each Enneagram type is complex and multifaceted. Additionally, people often have a dominant type, but may also exhibit traits of other types to varying degrees.

It's important to note that while the Enneagram is a valuable tool for self-discovery and personal growth, it should be approached with discernment and a biblical worldview. The Enneagram is not a substitute for scripture, prayer, or the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but it can complement and enhance our spiritual journey as we seek to grow in Christlikeness.

Whether you're new to the Enneagram or have been exploring it for a while, remember that the Enneagram is a dynamic and multifaceted system that requires ongoing discernment, prayer, and self-reflection. As we seek to know ourselves better, let us also seek to know God better, and to love others as Christ loves us. May the Enneagram be a helpful tool in our journey of faith and personal growth, as we seek to live out our unique calling as Christian women.