“These are just the cards I was dealt.” Last fall I heard a pastor tell us this is a lie from the enemy when we say or believe this about ourselves.

ESFP. Enneagram Type 7. SI. These may look like random letters and numbers to you, but in the world of personality tests, they mean something. Each personality – each person – has the potential for inspiringly beautiful strengths and devastating weaknesses. But in a world that values self-actualization and embracing the true you, we must be sure not to grow apathetic or defensive towards our sin, justifying it because “that’s just the way I am.” Though God made us uniquely each with our own personalities, we must realize that our sin is not our identity and our power to overcome it is not our own.

What do you think of when you picture an angel? Do you think of Raphael’s paintings of winged baby cherubs or a woman with wings dressed in white atop your Christmas tree? While scripture does describe creatures around His throne having wings (cherubim (Greek: Χερούβ) and seraphim (Greek: Σεραφείμ)), our cultural depictions of angels may be skewed.  

If you have ever been through a season of suffering or struggles, then I’m sure you have encountered a well-meaning person who has said, “Don’t worry.  God won’t give you more than you can handle.”

Turn on the television, and you see it.  Dichotomy. The good versus evil, hero versus villain, yin and yang.  The perfect foil. Balance. How can there be an up if there is no down?  How can there be a left if there is no right to give it definition? If God is the definition of all that is perfect and good and holy, then Satan must be the opposite of this, right?

I’ve heard this prayer maybe more than any: “Jesus, we just pray you’d be with us right now…”

Can I confess something to you?  The following phrases drive me absolutely bonkers: Follow your heart.  You do you. What does your heart say? To thine own self be true.