The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system that has resurfaced recently in many Christian circles. The Enneagram is a set of nine distinct personality types, with each number on the Enneagram denoting one type. Many Enneagram teachers agree that we all have aspects of each type within us, but we are dominant in one type which determines our "number." Each type has a specific need or desire, directly correlating to how they see the world and how they feel they have to "earn" love.

I first learned about the Enneagram about a year ago on Annie F. Downs' podcast called "That Sounds Fun," and continued to hear about it as I listened to more podcasts. I am fascinated by personality and personality typing so I began to research more about it through The Enneagram Institute. As I learned more about the 9 types, wings of the types, and how the types are interconnected I quickly began to see how beneficial it was to have basic knowledge about the Enneagram, so naturally I began begging my friends to determine their types (you aren't supposed to type other people so I refrained from doing it for them). The more people whose types I know the better I am able to interact with them and the less likely I am to jump to conclusions.

I am a type 2, which is known as the Helper. The Helper feels that they only receive love when they are doing things for others. The other types are type 1, the Reformer, type 3, the Achiever, type 4, the Individualist, type 5, the Investigator, type 6, the Loyalist, type 7, the Enthusiast, type 8, the Challenger, and type 9, the Peacemaker. Once you know about the types when someone tells you what his or her type is you start to see their strengths and weaknesses. Some people find personality typing to be narrowing, but I find it to be freeing. When my friend who is a 3 (the Achiever) doesn't seem to have time for me and instead seems consumed by schoolwork, I remember she is a 3, it is the end of the semester, and there are many assignments and tests. Knowing that she feels she must be successful in order to be worthy of love I can extend grace to her in this assignment heavy time.

Do you know your Enneagram number? If you do, that is great and you should share it with me! If you don't you should take the test on the Enneagram Institute website. It costs $12 but is the most accurate one. If you don't want to pay for it you can read about the types and see which one you think describes you best! Or you can read "The Sacred Enneagram" or "The Road Back to You" which are great books about the Enneagram. There are also plenty of podcasts to tell you all about your type and your wings as well as all the information you didn't know you needed.