Answers
By BGEA Admin • August 28, 2023 • Topics: Christian Living
Q:
Is it possible to have a personality change? I’m a negative person who always sees the dark side of things. I pride myself in saying it’s because I am a realist and choose not to live in a fantasy world, but this may be a cop-out. Am I like I am because God made me this way, or can I become a more likable person?
A:
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
God doesn’t want to erase our personalities—although He does want to take the sharp edges off them! We are all different. The Bible is full of various personality types. For instance, Saul of Tarsus (who became the Apostle Paul), would have been what we might call a “Type A” personality—hard-driving, determined, energetic, absolutely focused on his goal of destroying the Christian faith. But God intervened and replaced Saul’s hatred of Christ with love. His basic personality didn’t change, but God redirected his energies and used him, instead, to advance the very thing he tried to destroy—the Gospel. God softened his heart.
Paul’s young companion Timothy, on the other hand, had a different personality—shy, sensitive, perhaps even a bit introverted. But God helped Timothy overcome his shyness so he could reach out to others, and God also used his sensitive nature to make him an effective and caring pastor.
True Christianity in a person’s life is revealed when the fruit of the Spirit is evident (see Galatians 5). Christian virtues round out a Christ-like personality. Thank God for making each person unique. When we follow Him and receive His salvation, He will shape us and use us according to His will.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
