Who Am I, Really?

“You created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Ps. 139:13-14
 

In her helpful book, Your Spiritual Personality, author Marita Littauer says, “Each personality approaches spiritual life in its own way. The key principle is that understanding my spiritual personality helps me realize why certain spiritual exercises always come easier and make more sense to me; understanding my spiritual personality should not be used as an excuse to ignore my spiritual life. It is important for all of us to develop our spiritual life and grow closer to God.”  
                                                                  
Discovering what makes you tick as a unique individual is fun and enlightening—it will also allow you to breathe a huge sigh of relief when you realize you are who you are, and apologies aren’t necessary! 

Am I Sanguine, Choleric, or What?

Over twenty-five hundred years ago the Greek philosopher, Hippocrates, divided people into four groups: Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic, and Melancholy. Today there are many personality tests available that provide detailed analysis of how you relate to people, gain energy, gather information, and make decisions.

Whichever test you consult, you’ll discover that all of us are a mix of dominant, and less dominant, traits. Perhaps this explains my “Energizer Bunny” get-things-done days, and my “slug-like” leave-me-alone-days. 

To help you begin to identify yourself and discover how you best relate to God, check out the following general traits of the Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, and Phlegmatic. 

• Please do not take this as a serious psychological diagnosis! It’s meant to give you some aha moments about yourself and others around you.

• Have fun and check off, on a scale of l—5, which most describes you.

• At the end of each set of questions, write your score. Do each one and then compare all four.

• Which personality type gives you the highest numbers? Remember this because it will help you figure out whether you grow best by being part of a group, sitting alone on a mountain top contemplating creation, or something in between. Enjoy--and watch for the next article in this series!

Identify what’s most true of you using the following key—and keep a tally of your score.

1. Never
2. Once in a while
3. Some of the time. 
4. Most of the time.
5. All of the time

Are You Sanguine?
You love to have fun, be around people, talk and laugh.    1—2—3—4---5
You’re enthusiastic, genuine, and share feelings easily.     1—2—3—4—5
You enjoy attention, you’re cheerful and caring.                  1—2—3—4—5
You have high energy, volunteer, and encourage others.    1—2—3—4---5
You are creative, colorful, spontaneous                               1—2—3—4—5
You prefer inspiring, how-to sermons.                                  1—2—3—4---5
You like to express yourself freely.                                       1—2—3—4—5
You don’t enjoy spending time alone.                                   1—2—3—4---5
                                                                          Total:   _________________

Are You Choleric?
You love new challenges.                                                     1—2—3—4—5
You’re a visionary and make things happen.                        1—2---3—4--5
You’re active and decisive.                                                   1—2—3—4—5
You’re independent, self-sufficient, and confident.               1—2—3—4—5
You’re a natural leader, motivator, and goal oriented.          1—2—3—4—5
You like structure and organization.                                     1—2—3—4—5
You relate to sermons that inspire you to move forward.     1—2—3—4—5
You get frustrated with the status quo.                                 1—2—3—4—5
                                                                           Total:  __________________

Are You Melancholy?
You love quiet—too much noise and activity wear you out. 1—2—3—4—5
You like to sit and talk to God, content in His presence.      1—2—3—4—5
You’re a learner—studying Scripture is deeply satisfying.   1—2—3—4—5
You live in the moment, aware of God throughout the day. 1—2—3—4—5 
Your goals reflect eternal values.                                         1—2—3—4—5
You love theological sermons explaining key doctrines.      1—2—3—4—5
 You try to avoid group activities that seem superficial.       1—2—3—4—5
You’re a detail person, wanting things done properly.         1—2—3—4—5
                                                                            Total:   _________________

Are You Phlegmatic?
You prefer to take life easy and not plan too far ahead.       1—2—3—4—5
You avoid conflict and don’t get upset quickly.                     1—2—3—4—5
You prefer to wait until asked to get involved.                      1—2—3—4—5
You’re competent, reliable, and objective.                            1—2—3—4—5
You’re easy to get along with, patient and pleasant.            1—2—3—4—5
You don’t easily identify and express your feelings.             1—2—3—4—5
You prefer to see how things work out rather than make
 unnecessary decisions.                                                       1—2—3—4—5
                                                                               Total:  ________________

TOTALS:
        Sanguine_____Choleric_____Melancholy_____Phlegmatic_____

Scoring key:             
                                    Not me:   0-10
                                    Occasionally like me: 11-20
                                    Definitely like me: 21-30
                                    This is ME:  31-40

Now you have a fairly accurate idea about how you tick, watch for more information to come about your main personality type.

Qu. I’d love to know what you’ve discovered about yourself so far.  Send me a comment via FB or my email.

Blessings,
Poppy