Type 4: The Need to be Authentic

We begin with Type 4. Why? Well, I (Pastor Jason) am Type 4, and for us 4’s its often easier to begin by sharing about ourselves!

Enneagram Type 4 is often called “The Individualist.” In many ways 4s are the most complex of the nine types. Type 4 can be described as…

Basic Fear

That they have no identity, that is, they are insignificant, inadequate, and flawed

Basic Desire

To create an authentic, significant identity, that is, to find themselves and be known for who they authentically are

A Few Key Motivations

• to express their authentic, unique individuality
• to find meaning in whatever they do
• to attend to emotional needs
• to surround themselves with beauty, authenticity, and originality

Virtue

Equanimity, that is, equal mindedness, emotional balance, mental calm. Healthy 4s are able to be present with themselves and others in the extremes of feelings without those feelings controlling or defining them. This can lead 4s to profound creativity, refreshing self-awareness and vulnerability, deep compassion, a loving sensitivity to others, and an ability to transform an experience into something valuable and meaningful.

Vice

Envy, that is, 4s see whatever it is they are looking for in everyone else, except themselves, and they want it all.

Defense Mechanism

4s often use art as a defense mechanism. Afraid that other will misunderstand and reject them, 4s will use a medium – such as art, music, dance, or theater – to express themselves in order to cope with their feelings and experiences. In this ways, 4s can distance themselves from the world becoming more at home in their art than with other people.

Pitfall

Melancholy. 4s almost have to be depressed in order to be happy. The greater the depression or pain, the more creative 4s can become and therefore the more they can find themselves. 4s are the tragic romantics who completely understand why the story of Romeo and Juliet had to end in two tragic deaths in order to be a beautiful, brilliant, meaningful message to the world.

4s can also get caught up in a push and pull dance. On their quests, as soon as they grasp whoever or whatever they are looking for, they will find a fault or defect in it and then push away from it. But as soon as the person or thing is our of reach again, 4s will step right back into the quest to pull the person or thing back to them. “If you step back, I step forward. If you step forward, I step back.”

Childhood

As children, 4s typically felt disconnect, isolated, different, unseen, or even abandoned. This led them to a profound sense of loss, that is, that something was missing in their life. So, 4s turned inward to their feelings and imagination to search for what they sense is lost – their self, their family, their place, their role, and/or the acceptance they long for.

Examples

Princess Elsa song “Show Yourself” from Disney’s Frozen 2 embodies a lot of 4 energy. In both Frozen movies, Elsa is on a journey of self-discovery. She feels like a flawed outsider and struggles to fit in. In the original, Elsa shuts herself away in her room and palace hiding for years. In the second movie, Elsa is out on a mission longing, searching to find herself, her significance, and understand her unique meaningful role in the world. Listen below…

Biblical Character

Joseph, Jacob’s youngest son

As a 4, Joseph dreams on two separate occasions that his brothers will bow down to him.  While Joseph’s dream may have been valid, it takes a special kind of self-image and ego to go off and explain such dreams to your older brothers. As you can imagine, this doesn’t go over well with his older brothers. In fact, they dislike his message so much that they devise a plan to get rid of him.

Honestly, most of us would probably have thrown Joseph in a pit, too!

Fast-forward a bunch of years. Joseph finds himself in Potiphar’s house. Well, Potiphar’s wife is pretty interested in Joseph (4s are just so darned artistically irresistible!). But like any 4, when she’s steps forward, Joseph steps back. So, Joseph avoids her advances, and this ironically lands him in prison. As 4s are prone to do, Joseph finds a unique artistic calling (even in prison)! He interprets dreams. And this special gift gives him a position where he climbs up the ranks in Egypt.

Now second in command and in charge of the food stores during a famine, Joseph’s brothers travel to Egypt hoping to find food. They do, but they also find Joseph, even though they don’t recognize him.

In classic 4 fashion, Joseph puts on a show. Rather than revealing his identity to his brothers, Joseph tests them. Have they changed? How do they feel now about Joseph and what they had done to him? After a lot of theater, Joseph reveals his identity. This may seem over-dramatic to you, but this what you get from Fours – sensitivity and drama!

While you see the emotional and dramatic side of Joseph, you also see the power of a Four. When healthy, they can change the world and bring people together through beauty and tears.

What 4s need

• To know they are enough
• To rest in solitude
• Creativity
• Balance
• Discipline

Summary

Enneagram Type 4 – The Creative from Crystal

Are you a 4?

If you think you may be a 4, check out the video below for some helpful connection points to God. Also, be sure to text, call or email Pastor Jason to sign up to take the 40 minute Enneagram Test online. (Paper test are available as well.) Use the contact form on our website or text/call the church office.

Stay tuned to our blog for tips on relationships with Type 4s!