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Roger Pryor—April 29, 2007

We look at the DISC chart, C’s tend to emphasize tasks and results over ideas and people. They like to work alone and maintain the status quo. C’s tend to do the right thing. They’re competent, calculating, and cautious. They’ve been known to proof-read their Xerox copies. Their target practice slogan is: ready, aim, aim, aim… Let’s do a quick review by looking at the 4 quadrant grid and see how C’s fit with the other types.

D’s prefer tasks to people and tend to be more active than passive in relating to their circumstances. If they don’t like their circumstances, they’ll change them. The opposite of a "D" is the "S". They usually prefer people to tasks, and they tend to be more passive than active in relating to the world around them. If they don’t like their circumstances, they won’t necessarily change them, they’ll just adapt to them.

C personalities share some characteristics of both the D’s and S’s types. Like D’s, they naturally gravitate towards tasks instead of relationships. Like S’s, they are passive in their approach to the world around them, but when it comes to change they don’t adapt well.

C’s prefer status quo. "Variety" is a dangerous word for them. And yet, C’s can affect change by appealing to logic and correctness. They will tell others, "Do it the right way and, by the way, I’ve already done the research as to what is the right way…here it is."

This is probably the greatest strength of a C. #1. C’s are conscientious about doing the right thing. They have a high sense of justice. Their battle cry is "if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right." They demand to know where the lines are and then work hard to stay between them. Their high standards of doing things right, produce many other admirable qualities.

For instance, #2. C personalities tend to be great at researching and discovering answers. They love to solve problems by doing their homework, researching the facts, developing an action plan, and making it happen. They drool and slobber over instruction manuals. Their heart skips a beat when the Consumer Report magazine arrives. They are great troubleshooters.

Maybe you’ve heard the story of Aunt Dovie—as she was nicknamed. She was a supervisor at the GM Allison Division in Indianapolis where the engine for the P-51 fighter plane was manufactured during WW2. Somehow, though, when the new pistons arrived overseas they were defective, riddled with tiny holes. Immediately, everyone suspected a Nazi saboteur had infiltrated the Allison Division. While undercover agents looked for the spy, Aunt Dovie—a C personality began to troubleshoot the problem. And she uncovered the spy. It was a vending machine. Workers were buying and eating handfuls of peanuts and going back to work without washing their hands. It was the salt from their fingers that was eating away the silver platting.

So if you need research and answers…ask a "C". #3. Next, C personalities typically have a knack for organization and efficiency. They can look at almost any process and know how it could be better organized and done more efficiently. If something isn’t running smoothly, a C will most likely be able to tell you why because they see important details that others overlook.

#4. The life and work of a C is often marked by excellence and even brilliance. Did you know that most of the great artists in the world are C’s? Most of the geniuses down through the years have been C’s. For instance the great inventor Thomas Edison (a C) tried over 2,000 times to invent the incandescent light bulb. When asked if he ever got discouraged, he said, "Not at all, for I know for sure 2,000 ways it would not work." Later, he invented the light bulb.

These unique strengths, though, become a handicap when they are taken to an extreme. The greatest crisis a C personality confronts is (and I quote) "their inner world is often filled with emotional turmoil because they cannot help but notice the shortcomings in their circumstances, in the people around them, and in themselves."

They struggle with those who play outside the lines. When others are not conscientious, they knit pick and criticize. Because C’s must ask the "why" question over and over, they come across as judgmental. Their ability to research can turn themselves into intellectual snobs. Their drive for efficiency and excellence can create unreasonable expectations that no one can live up to. Eventually, they become whiners with critical spirits and bad attitudes.

The good news is that C’s don’t have to be slaves to these negative characteristics. God can work within the framework of their inborn personalities to shape them into the character of Jesus. That’s God’s goal for every Christ follower—to produce character fruit that’s not natural to our personality. This character fruit is described for us in Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

All of us need to grow in every one of these nine character qualities. But for those of you who are C’s, there are two that jump out as being desperately needed if you want to maximize your personality: they are joy and peace. If you’re a follower of Christ with C tendencies, these two are probably where God will do the most work in your character.

Why do C’s need joy and peace? C personalities are often overwhelmed by the shortcomings of others, leading to a life of misery and negative thinking. Too often they see things from a negative, critical, and condemning perspective. C’s tend to see the wrong, rather than the right in situations and people. The great theologian Steve Martin said, "Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do criticize him, you'll be a mile away and have his shoes."

So what a C needs is a big dose of: #1. Joy. Joy is defined as the "cheerfulness of heart that comes from experiencing God’s presence." Now joy is different from happiness. Happiness is based on the situations we find ourselves in at any given moment. Joy isn’t dependent on circumstances. It wells up within us when we see our lives from God’s perspective and sense His presence. Psalm 16:11 (NASB) In Your presence is fullness of joy. In Your right hand are pleasures forever. We need to see God at work in our lives if we’re going to experience joy.

#2. A second virtue God wants to develop in a C is peace. This word peace means "tranquility of heart that comes from knowing we’re in God’s hands." In first century times, it meant the serenity or public peace a country enjoyed under the rule of a good emperor.

For Christ followers, we are under the government of the ultimate good emperor—the emperor of the universe. And even though there is disorder and chaos everywhere, there can be order or peace in our "village"—because we’re in God’s hands—we’re under His control.

Jesus told his followers: John 16:33 (NIV) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. (things won’t be perfect) But take heart! I have overcome the world." "I am large and in charge. And I will bring order out of chaos. Trust me."

So what are some action steps we can take to open ourselves up to the influence of God’s Holy Spirit and experience joy and peace even when life has dealt us a bad hand?

#1. Look Up in worship and celebration. By engaging in the greatness and goodness of God, we will develop joy. Philippians 4:8 (TLB) Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.

#2. Lighten Up on yourself. Perfection is impossible. Give yourself permission to have planned imperfections where you draw a line and say, "that’s good enough or that’s close enough." Sometimes the house doesn’t need to be spotless. Sometimes the project is complete enough. Be less rigid and more flexible. The world won’t come to an end. And God and people will love you anyway. So lighten up on yourself so you can learn joy and peace.

#3. Loosen Up on others. Too often C’s push their perfectionism standards onto others and hold them to standards that they can never reach. The most realistic expectation you can have of others is two words: people fail. People make dumb decisions. They do evil things. They break their promises. They mess up. Now, I’m not asking you C’s to lower your standards, I’m just asking you to make allowances for the humanness of others. Loosen up. Stop demanding perfection from others. So look up, lighten up, and loosen up so you can be an open channel for God, the Holy Spirit to transform you and make you more like Jesus.

More than any other personality, those of you who are C’s are very aware of your own shortcomings and failures. It’s usually hard for a C to believe that someone like Jesus would actually pay the penalty for his or her sinfulness. But it’s true. Christianity is not about earning your way to heaven through perfection or super human effort. It’s been done for you through Jesus’ death on the cross. But you must trust Jesus as your Savior, and not yourself for heaven.

The Bible puts it this way. Romans 5:8 (NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Some of us still need to experience that love for the first time. If you are ready to receive that love, say this prayer that expresses your decision to trust Jesus as your Savior.

Dear God, I admit that I’m a sinner and I understand that my sin separates me from you. I believe that Jesus, being God, paid the penalty for my sins when He died on the cross. I now choose to trust Him as my Savior. Thank you for loving and forgiving me and for giving me the gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, amen