Kim Eddy - The Enneagram for Beginners: A Christian Guide to Understanding Your Type for a God-Centered Life

Photo Credit: Lorissa Marslender

KIM EDDY is a Certified Enneagram Coach living in Arizona with her two children. She specializes in helping her clients uncover the hidden parts of their heart and their unique personalities and purposes from a Christ-centered perspective. Her passion is to help others grow in empathy and understanding, and apply Gods truth to their lives in tangible ways. For more information on Enneagram workshops for your ministry, additional training and materials, or help in identifying your type and applying the Enneagram to your life, please visit christianenneagram.coach.

CONCLUSION

Youve made it to the end of the book, and I am so grateful that youve embarked on this journey of self-discovery and growth.

By now, you know more about the motivations behind your actions. Youve learned the struggles and desires that have shaped how you show up each day. You have a deeper understanding of the ways youve tried to cope in this world and make it on your own. You know where you tend to struggle the most and the unique gifts you bring to this world.

Throughout my coaching experience using the Enneagram, Im constantly asked one question, and Im almost certain youre asking it tooOkay, so I understand myself better. But what now?

I wanted to leave you with a caution, a hope, and a prayer.

My caution is for you to not simply read this book, put it down, and not implement the self-reflection prompts and practical ideas. This book isnt meant to be read once and put on a shelf. A little bit of knowledge can make us think that weve taken action. Please do the self-discovery work to really uncover those hidden places of your heart.

My hope is that youll continue to learn and grow using the Enneagram. Put the ideas in this book into practice, talk about your personality with your loved ones, share whats going on inside your heart, and tell others how God is changing you to be more like him. I hope this book has challenged you and encouraged you in new ways. Look for opportunities to understand others better, empathize with their unique struggles, and point them to Jesus.

My prayer for you is that youll trust in the finished work of Jesus, and that your belief will impact this world in real, tangible ways. You were made on purpose for a purpose. Your personality is a large part of how you were made, but it doesnt stop there. Seek Gods face, trust in his plan, and live a life that loves God and people.

Blessings to you,

Kim Eddy

RESOURCES

Books:

Chestnut, Beatrice. The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge.

Cron, Ian Morgan and Suzanne Stabile. The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery.

McCord, Beth. Becoming Us: Using the Enneagram to Create a Thriving Gospel-Centered Marriage.

Vancil, Marylin. Self to LoseSelf to Find: A Biblical Approach to the 9 Enneagram Types.

Whitmoyer-Ober, Ashton. The Enneagram for Relationships.

Websites:

There are many resources on the Enneagram from a biblical perspective at www.yourenneagramcoach.com.

For up-to-date recommendations for online tests, typing resources, podcasts, and links on the Enneagram, please visit www.christianenneagram.coach.

If youd like a detailed look at the Enneagram without a specific religious affiliation, visit www.enneagraminstitute.com.

REFERENCES

Cron, Ian Morgan and Suzanne Stabile. The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery . Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books, an imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2016.

Riso, Don Richard, and Russ Hudson. Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1996.

Vancil, Marylin. Self to LoseSelf to Find: A Biblical Approach to the 9 Enneagram Types. Enumclaw, Washington: Redemption Press, 2016.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV Text Edition: 2016. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

Summary & Exploration

Type 1s tend to focus on what is right, acceptable, and appropriate. They see how life could ideally be, and can clearly see the gap between the ideal and their current reality.

If you are a Type 1, you hold high standards for yourself, others, and the world, seeking to constantly improve them and yourself. You may feel assaulted by mistakes and flaws around you, though you may sometimes come across as critical or harsh to others. Negative emotions may feel wrong or inappropriate, so you may try to suppress and control them. But underneath your self-control, you might struggle with resentment because you cant control life and make everything just right. You may believe deep down that you are only worthy of love and approval when you are above reproach and do what is right. You may experience a type of inner critican inner voice or feeling that reprimands, berates, and points out your flaws, leading you to feel like youre never good enough.

DIG DEEPER

• Are you sometimes seen as too critical of others?

• When you spiral emotionally, can you usually trace it back to something or someone (maybe even yourself) that made you angry?

• Do you often feel like you bear the burden of responsibility and wish others took things as seriously as you do?

• Is finding the fair and right outcome important to you (even if it is hard to implement)?

• Do people come to you for advice, knowing you will try to be impartial?

• Do you tend to see the idealistic way things could be, but struggle with frustration when reality isnt matching up to your vision?

• Is it hard for you to let go of resentment, even after forgiving someone?