Lent is just 9 days away (eeep!), and while you may not have discerned what to add and/or delete from your life for those 40-ish days, it’s most certainly on your mind. And if it wasn’t on your mind, it is now after reading that sentence!
You’re welcome.
As a just-for-fun, not-to-be-taken-too-seriously way to prepare for Lent, I have done the work for you and chosen what you should give up or add for Lent based on your Myers-Briggs personality type! Yippee!
If you don’t know your personality type as described by the MBTI, you can get it for free here. That link will also describe and give credit to the founders of this typology – Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Myers. Again, these types are not my own, but my goofy interpretations of how they can impact your Lenten decisions. Also, I am not a spiritual director, so AGAIN, this is mostly just for funsies.
Is that enough disclaimer-talk? Yes? Then away we go…
ESTJ: Your organization and leadership skills, along with your low tolerance for anyone acting out-of-place, make you a perfect fit from organizing a food drive this Lenten season. As a challenge, try not to interfere when your volunteers knock over that perfectly organized stack of canned goods. Also, refrain from calling anyone a “blockhead”.
ESTP: Repeat after me: Lent is not a competition. You don’t “win” at Lent, so simmer down, my friend. Perhaps you should give up competition and/or take up a meditation exercise like lectio divina.
ESFJ: You loveable, caring, overachiever, you. With your strong emotions, passion for others and hyper vigilance, you’d do well to cook at a fish fry and/or help your ESTJ friend with that food drive. You might want to add on some adoration time to take a break from helping others, and get some much-needed quiet time.
ESFP: Calm yourself. I know you live in constant #FOMO land, but this year, let’s take it down a notch. While you bring your warmth and humor to the fish fries you M.C., balance that out by giving up one or two social events a week so you can spend some time praying or going to daily mass (without checking in).
ISTJ: Quiet, responsible and a stickler for rules and tradition, you’re probably already planning on going to Stations of the Cross or mass in Latin. Maybe reading about a someone like St. Augustine, who liked to party hard in his early years, will help you broaden your scope this Lenten season.
ISTP: You’re super inquisitive and love solving things (be it games or work) while zoning out. And you know a lot of things… but for Lent, try not correcting someone if they say something inaccurate (unless of course they say “I bet drinking anti-freeze is really good for you”, then please, be your precise self). Then donate some time every week helping out in the church garden, or helping your parish priest, deacon or religious figure out how to use their new tablets.
ISFJ: Dude, Bl. Mother Teresa was most likely an ISFJ, so you’re in good company. You’re probably already helping out your neighbor on a regular basis without attention. If not, try volunteering for an organization like Drive a Senior or Meals on Wheels. Then spend some time reading up on future-saint Bl. Teresa.
ISFP: Seeing God in art and nature probably comes easily to you. If you’re into arts, food, or music, there is a church ministry for you! Behind the scenes of the church decorating committee, or near the altar singing hymns, try to find a ministry that fits you this season. Or join the ESTJ in organizing a food drive and let your irritation be an opportunity to grow in grace (ESTJ’s and ISFP’s tend to clash).
ENTJ: You are a force to be reckoned with, a real leader with a zeal for getting things done well. Please, lend your talents to the ushers on Easter Saturday and Sunday, when the church is full to bursting. Get in there and help the Mass go smoothly! Then, during Lent, take some time at home to just be with your family, doing nothing but playing games or something else chill. Give up busy-ness.
ENTP: You like to think outside the box. Innovation, big-picture, being original – you’re into all of that and more. Try your hand helping with RCIA or a parish council of some kind. Then ditto ENTJ and give up some busy-ness.
ENFJ: You lucky duck. Saint John Paul II was most likely an ENFJ. With great empathy and a humanitarian heart, you’re probably already in a profession that helps the greater good. Add to this a study of Saint John Paul II to see how he balanced a life of service with healthy self-care.
ENFP: With a love and talent for the creative, perhaps you should try your hand at helping with any Easter plays or Stations of the Cross. If your social calendar is too full, try these awesome adult coloring books that have scripture in each page. Tune out the world, and tune in with God (and your fancy colored pencils).
INTJ: Are you a quiet mastermind? Do you already spend loads of time thinking, reading or researching? Add to that some readings by the Doctors of the Church. And maybe attend a fish fry or two – it’s good to be around people every now and then.
INTP: You’re intense. Well, internally anyway. You analyze. You study. You figure things out. Try giving up some video game time and spending it with a friend who doesn’t get out much. Maybe attend a fish fry with your INTJ friends, while you’re at it.
INFJ: Do people often tell you that you’re a great listener? Because you totally are. You care a lot about other people, and probably spend a good deal of time thinking about how to help others, too. Are you too hard on yourself when you can’t help everyone? If so, try giving up negative, self-critical thinking this Lent, replacing those thoughts with the reminder that who you are is a child of God, who loves you more in a second than anyone could in a lifetime.
INFP: Personal growth is muy important to you, and I’d bet you’re a positive thinker. It is believed that Mary was most likely an INFP, as well as Sts. Luke and John. Perhaps you can read about them to get some insight this season.
That’s all folks! I hope you enjoyed my shenanigans. Let me know if this was accurate for you, or if I was way off. I love the feedback.
Happy Lenten Season!
Resources:
http://www.truity.com/view/types
This is amazing. My type’s INFJ and I’ve got OCD, so negative, self-critical thoughts pop into my head unasked for and scare the willies out of me all the time. (Fun, right?) Focusing on the fact that who I am is God’s beloved will help immensely this Lent. Thank you!
Hey Michelle! Thanks for the comment. I have OCD, as well, so I get those intrusive thoughts, too. Super annoying! Apparently some of the saints had similar struggles, especially in prayer. Glad I’m not the only one! Thanks again for sharing. 🙂
You’re welcome! Thanks for sharing, too. You’re far from the only one since OCD is fairly common, but also commonly misunderstood. When I first heard and read about scrupulosity and how through the years people thought it was rooted in pride, it freaked me out. But really, it’s the body’s natural fear system getting tripped up by accident, like how the body rejects safe substances in allergies. It takes lots of good guidance and hard work to stop doing the compulsions that come naturally but make no sense in reality. Our good Lord knows this even better than we do and leads us gently, even through the dark valley.
Wonderfully said. 🙂
Ha! I tried to help with RCIA and they didn’t want me. Boo!
Sad day 🙁 I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I like the name of your blog, btw. Super cute.
Sad day 🙁 I’m sure you’ll find your calling somewhere else soon!
Welllll you caught on to my problems without even knowing me. Thanks for the reminder! Great idea for a post!!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading! Sometimes these personality tests get it right. Every time I take it, I’m amazed at the accuracy.
I am an ENTJ and have to resist the temptation to wonder how large a sanctuary we could build if the folks who come for Christmas, Ash Wednesday and Easter would join us each week and tithe.
Wouldn’t that be amazing? I’m still praying and hoping that comes true.
I really liked this one a lot, Britt. Obviously very timely as well!
Thanks!
INFPs don’t have to give up anything!
I noticed that… What would be good for an INFP to give up?
PERFECTIONISM.
Bingo. Thanks!
As an INTP, I have to say I love my Lenten sacrifice 🙂