I recently viewed a “Christian Neurodivergent * Women” Facebook page…
According to the site, I could be a so-called “neurotypical”** person who has lived for 35 years with a so-called “neurodivergent” (autistic) person, my friend, Pat; my husband and I invited her to live with us and our then 10 year old son back in 1989. At the time she joined us, she had several possible “diagnoses”, and back then autism was little known. It has only been recently, since autism has been addressed more openly, that we have come to recognize that this could possibly be part of her “diagnoses”.
After all these thirty five years living with Pat, I’ve become aware of how many of her struggles sound like the same sort of things that I personally deal with every day. I’ve thought about how rather “different/divergent” I may be, even though not in the way she might be.
In my forties I took a Myers-Briggs personality test, and tested as an INFP, which only 1% of the population has. I tested extremely high as an introvert, and they say that only 25% of the world are introverts. So, some of my struggle may have had to do with fitting into a world dominated by 75% extroverts.
I’ve recently found out about a term “personality divergent”****, which seems to fit for me. These traits have created many situations in my life where I’ve felt awkward, feeling like an “odd duck”, being misunderstood and perceived as “stuck-up” and, at times, accused of being too honest, pushy and insensitive, being rebellious against authority, resulting in feeling rejected, brokenhearted and depressed – the same sort of feelings my friend says she faces.
Pat and I often have difficulty communicating with one another, and we have what we kiddingly call “kerfuffles”. What’s really neat to me is that the answer, as Christians, is always the same for her as it is for me – turning to a Person, Jesus, who has come into our life and wants to be our very life, and through His grace He’s the One who is progressively growing in our revelation of Him in that regard. This realization shows us how united we are as one body in Him and that it is no mistake that He has made us the way we are and has put us together for His good purposes.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
It’s becoming such a liberating truth that Pat and I have been able to praise the Lord for! He’s showing us that any felt broken heartedness is what he looks for in order to reveal Himself as the Good Shepherd and Good News. We’re beginning to see this as a gift/an opportunity that can turn us to the True Gift, the gift-giver Himself, Jesus!
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; He has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted”. (Luke 4:18)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus is the Answer! Praise the Lord!
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* Neurodivergent is a term used to describe people whose brains process information differently than what is considered typical. It’s a social framework that aims to be inclusive of people with a variety of neurocognitive differences***, and to move away from the medical model of disability.
**“Neurotypical” is a term that’s used to describe individuals with typical neurological development or functioning.
***Neurocognitive refers to the ability to think and reason, which includes the following mental processes: concentrating, remembering things, processing information, learning, speaking and understanding. Neurocognitive functions are closely linked to specific areas, neural pathways, or cortical networks in the brain.
****Divergent personality is characterized by a tendency to think creatively and outside the box to solve problems. People with a divergent personality are often persevering (determined to find a solution), curious (have a desire to learn and explore), independent (often self-reliant), risk-takers (willing to take chances), and non-conformist (may not fit in with the status quo), persevering (determined to find a solution.)