Growing as an Enneagram Five: The ThinkerSample

Dealing with Low Energy

Most Fives are introverts and Fives are believed to have the smallest amount of social energy on the Enneagram. If you are an extrovert and a Five, you’ll feel a lot of tension in your life because you’ll need people to energize you…but you’ll also feel a need to take a break from them. Even if you can be loud and appear outgoing in public, if you are drained when you get home, you’re introverted.

When you don’t have much energy or feel empty, it can feel defeating and discouraging to feel less-than, incompetent, or not as good as someone who can do more. When you feel depleted, it can be a challenge to receive true rest and refilling and believe the truth that we are loved apart from what we do.

I love how Scripture invites us to believe the truth for when we are empty and our energy runs low. Ask the Lord to help your heart listen as you read Isaiah 40:28–31. This passage begins by grounding us in who the Lord is. He is the Creator of the ends of the earth. There is no end to His energy, ability, or wisdom. And we find the generosity of the Lord so apparent in these verses. He willingly shares His strength and understanding with those who are weary and weak. He gives freely of what He has in abundance to those who have true need of His strength.

There is so much permission in these verses to notice when you are depleted and feel no shame for it. Even those in their youthful prime become tired and exhausted. These verses tell us that running out of energy and strength is part of being human. Even the strongest and youngest will grow weary. There are times when even those with the most stamina and abilities feel drained and empty.

These verses end with an invitation and an incredible image of what it is like when the Lord shares His strength with us. We are invited to wait on the Lord, trusting that He deeply loves us even when we have nothing to offer Him. And when we do, we will fly like the majestic eagle and run any race set before us.