WHO ARE YOU?

Much of what we know of personality factors is learned from the study of identical twins. Two personality factors: openness to new experience and Extroversion/Introversion are known to be genetic in nature because of research done with identical twins. Identical twins are living, breathing clones of each other, so one would assume that they would be just like each other in every respect, but that is not true.

There are many case histories of identical twins whose functional lives turned out to be quite different from each other. One who struggled with mental illness much of her life, yet her sister is a practicing psychiatrist--well maybe they are not so different after all, LOL. Mothers of identicals will tell you that their babies are distinct from the moment they are born. Researchers believe that the prenatal environment accounts for some of the differences in identical twins as they compete with one another for nutrients.

The point I wanted to make with this blurb is that we know that certain genes make people susceptible to certain traits like aggression and depression. But, from our study of identical twins, we know that susceptibility is not inevitability!!! To some degree, we are co-creators of ourselves with God. Our genes may not be the best, our environments may leave something to be desired, but by trusting in God, our lives will be blessed beyond our wildest dreams. "Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Grace&Peace;
Tom