INFP...Healer and Idealist

I am an INFP...at least according to a personality test I took. What does it mean? It means I'm an Introvert, iNtuitive, Feeler, and Perceiver. According to some sources, only 1% of the population is an INFP. That makes me unique compared to most people. Seeing that statistic helped me realize God made me so different from most people for a reason.

According to an app on facebook:

In general, INFPs focus deeply on their values, and they devote their lives to pursuing the ideal. They often draw people together around a common purpose and work to find a place for each person within the group. They are creative, and they seek new ideas and possibilities. They quietly push for what is important to them, and they rarely give up. While they have a gentleness about them, and a delightful sense of humor, they may be somewhat difficult to get to know and may be overlooked by others. They are at their best making their world more in line with their internal vision of perfection.

I don't know if that accurately describes me, but when it does into detail about each part, I think it's pretty accurate about myself. I'm 35% in the direction of introversion. "Introverts are more reserved, quiet, and contemplative than most. While they enjoy socializing, they also can become absorbed in private thought and enjoy time alone." I'm 74% in the direction of intuitiveness which focuses more on the big picture and overlook the details. People see me as absent-minded when I notice more than they think. Also, "They enjoy considering the ways people or ideas are connected." I'm 3% feeler, which means I'm caring, supportive, and appreciative. I also prefer to cooperate than argue. I can see why I'm only 3% when I tend to think a lot as well. Finally, I'm 75% in the direction of perceiving.

People who are clearly Perceivers lead a flexible, spontaneous lifestyle and avoid making definite plans whenever possible. They get excited by starting something new but find it difficult to finish. They see all sides of every situation, so much so that it is often unclear to them what's "right". When faced with a decision, they will put it off for as long as possible in order to consider all their options. Even once the decision is made, they often second guess themselves.

Personally, I find these descriptions pretty accurate.

As one group on a website says:

As INFP's we are idealists, dreamers, healers and romantics! Some might say we view life through 'rose colored glasses'. We have a rare capacity for deep caring and commitment, both to people and causes we believe in. Often others view us as reserved and cool when inwardly we experience life very intensely! We never seem to lose our sense of wonder and sometimes we may feel as if we have been imported from another galaxy!

Yeah...I feel that is accurate as well.

Reading through a discussion topic of people who are all INFP, I find myself very similar to them. We find that most people cannot understand us. We constantly seek self-improvement, are into self-exploration, are critical of ourselves, and we went to be organized in some ways. We can be seen as perfectionists, so we end up with high expectations. We can also be described by others as "chameleons", which means we can blend in with any group. I guess that's why I never really got into a clique. It's hard for us to get into small talk because we feel like it's not worth our time. I have an easier time getting started on things than ending things, but I still tend to save it for later in case I decide to change my mind.

When it comes to seeing the big picture over the minute detail...I definitely see that when I organized a hangout for my birthday but didn't actually decide what we would do until the last minute. I guess the fact that I feel so different from most people is also why I try to participate in everything and hang out with people, which sort of makes me extroverted at times. However, it still makes me use energy to do that instead of getting energy sometimes. As one Canadian says, "INFP is a tremendous mixture of melancholy, beauty and boundless innocence and wonder..." I find that to be quite accurate. The thing about falling in love easily also happens, but that's where my thinking process comes in and says no...either that or the perfectionist side. But then, someone describes INFP as loving "EVERYONE WITH SUCH FERVENT PASSION". I find that hilarious, but true about myself.

INFP people also tend to find people's conversations shallow...which perfectly explains why I have trouble getting into conversations. We usually find them meaningless. It could also be because we find it easier to communicate our emotions and thoughts through writing than actually speaking. I definitely go through that with my blog. It's easier for me to describe what I'm going through with this than actually talking.

Not only is it hard for people to completely understand me, I also have trouble understanding myself. I found it interesting when another INFP said he experienced that. I'm a daydreamer, always thinking, always analyzing, and I am organized in some areas but not in others. I love art and creativity, which can be seen in my love of animation and the fact that I see video games as a form of art. We see potential in humanity, but also recognize the reality and value of suffering.

There's more to it than what I have, but I feel like it's sufficient for now. I also must let you know that a lot of the descriptions are taking from other people's posts in a discussion topic. One guy criticized us for being narcissists. Writing all this about myself makes me feel like one, and you should know I hate feeling like I'm a narcissist. However, I do feel like I can relate to a lot of what other INFPs say.

This is not to say the description of an INFP completely describes me. There's probably more to myself that these results cannot say. It does give a basic idea of who I am though. It makes me wonder how this all fits into whatever plan God has for me. It's awesome to know we have a Dad who loves us for who we are.

In the past I would put a lot of emphasis on what other people thought of me. I would think people hated me when in reality they probably didn't. There are plenty of INFP people who think that. In fact, we are the people who everyone seems to like but don't care about hanging out with. I still think a lot of people don't care about me even though I KNOW that is not the case. Even knowing that I have a lot of amazing friends who care about me, I know that my God is an all powerful God who loves me even when I do not deserve it. With all the pessimism I have of myself as an INFP, it's great to know my Daddy loves me just the way I am.

Dear reader, I hope this post enlightens you more about who I am, and I hope it encourages you in knowing that your heavenly daddy loves you the way you are and made you perfectly as you are. I also hope that you don't think I'm trying to hide my identity from anyone. I am the way I am because I was made that way.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

As a final note, I think it would be an interesting topic to know what type of person you are.

Until next time,
Kenneth