I’m a Phlegmatic — Can’t Everyone be Calm like Me?
- Avoid conflict, wanting life to be calm and pleasant.
- Are competent, quiet, and often witty.
- Don’t seek the limelight, preferring to do their job well and let others strive for success.
- Are good listeners and easy going.
- Are well-liked and appreciated for their patient and caring nature.
Joni, a classic Phlegmatic.
Sitting around chatting after our weekly home Bible study, I asked Joni what she hoped would happen in her life over the next five to ten years. She burst out laughing!
“I don’t think that far ahead,” she said, smiling in amusement. “I just go through each day doing my job. I’m not the go-get-um type with lots of goals. That’s not me.
“Fortunately, I’m married to a dynamo who makes plans for both of us. John keeps the calendar and is always inviting friends over or committing us to go places with other people. By myself, I’d just stay at home and relax.”
Listening to our conversation, soft-spoken Amy chimed in, “I’m the same way. Being ambitious and planning out my future career doesn’t cross my mind. I don’t want to stress myself trying to “be the best” or “maximize my potential.”
As Phlegmatics, both Joni and Amy are comfortable with who they are, but they also acknowledge that their laid-back personalities can affect their experience of God.
“Even though Jesus said, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, it takes a determined effort to spend time with God,” said Joni, “and I must confess, I don’t make the effort very often.
“I know that my lack of motivation and follow through keeps me from having a more vibrant relationship with Him.”
Amy commented, “Well, I do read the Bible and pray every day. In fact, I follow a set routine that takes me through the Word in a year.
“But to be honest, sometimes I don’t even think about asking the Holy Spirit to speak to me through it.
”Too often I just read because it’s a habit I developed years ago.”
- Deciding they want to hear God speak into their lives is essential for Phlegmatics. BUT…
- Without intentional commitment and action, Phlegmatics tend to let life unfold with minimal effort.
- When this happens, it can lead to a dry heart, spiritual boredom, and apathy.
- (For helps with listening to God, check out this blog: https://www.poppysmith.com/blog/how-do-you-hear-god-speak )
Every personality type needs the inner work of the Holy Spirit.
The Spiritual Disciplines, or Practices that produce P.O.W.E.R in our lives come through: Prayer, Obedience, Word, Examination, and Relinquishment of what God reveals is holding us back.
Without these, we remain spiritually dry, missing out on the amazing awareness that God is with us in all of life’s ups and downs. What a loss!
Next week I’ll share more ways we can intentionally develop a passion for God and grow spiritually. If you have found ways that work for you, be sure and email me.
Warmly,
Poppy