a main reason I find...thin skin/ overly sensitive people vs. undersenitive.
I fall into the 2nd group and usually sparks fly with the 1st group.
Words like 'too' and 'over/overly' ('under' too) are still not clearly defined and can never be, because what's 'too/overly' for one person isn't that for another: too much, too cold, over-confident, overly nice; the list is endless.
There are differing levels of sensitivity, not just two types. Besides pride, people fight because they are different. Rom. 12:6-8 tells us about
seven character sets (gifts) that make people see the world differently. This means there are seven main levels of sensitivity. Here are examples of each gift in everyday people and in the Bible:
Kevin has a car accident and ends up in the hospital. Seven of his close friends visit him (each one having one of the seven Rom. 12:6-8 character sets (Grace gifts)). Here are their different responses:
Ashley (
prophecy: strong sense of right and wrong and speaks out against compromise and evil). She asks Kevin if there might be anything that could have led up to the accident, trying to weed out potential problems in his life.
People with this gift can make good counselors.
Peter displays this gift, was first to speak out, and exhorted the people to repent (Acts 2).
Erica (
serving: driven to demonstrate love by meeting practical needs). She asks Kevin if he needs errands run for him while he's in the hospital or if he needs her to bring him anything.
Can make good manual labor workers.
Timothy displays this gift and was therefore able to work tirelessly, serving the needs of the churches under Paul.
Steve (
teaching: passionate about discovering and validating truth). He asks Kevin for details about what led up to the accident, how it happened, and what happened after.
Can make good detectives. Luke displays this gift. We have the Books of Luke and Acts because Luke set out detail precisely, for someone else (the "excellent Theophilus"), the life and ministry of Jesus and His apostles for the. (Lk. 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3.)
Rob (
exhorting: wants to see people grow to be their very best). He encourages Kevin over and over that he'll be alright and back to life in no time at all.
Can make good team cheerleaders. Paul displays this gift; he was always able to see good despite the worst, and he never got tired of exhorting multiple churches with multiple people and families in each.
Becca (
giving: wants to use financial resources wisely in order to give to meet the needs of others). She asks Kevin for his rent/utilities and monthly bill information and asks when each is due so she can pay them while he's in the hospital.
Can make good project supporters. Some of
the women and people who ministered to Jesus' needs on earth displayed this gift.
Jon (
leader/organizer: able to discern others' talents and seeks to delegate tasks accordingly to accomplish a goal). He asks Kevin what all he needs while in the hospital, then later talks to the others to coordinate their schedules, etc. and work out a plan to always have one of them beside Kevin for the next several days.
Can make good project coordinators and supervisors. Joseph displays this gift and was made a prince in Egypt because of his ability to organize and coordinate things perfectly.
Aaron (
mercy: is sensitive to the emotional and spiritual needs of others). He asks Kevin how he is feeling and is the most willing of the rest to stay with or go see Kevin regularly.
Can make good nurses. The apostle
John displays this gift; he knew that Jesus needed emotional support and was the only apostle at His crucifixion, and he stressed Love in his epistles.
