How Does God View Sensitive People?
Have you ever been called “sensitive”? Was that offensive to you? Have you ever developed a distaste for someone you thought was overly sensitive? For people who frequently feel a wide range of emotions, are highly perceptive of others’ feelings, and easily get overwhelmed, their sensitivity can feel burdensome, discouraging, or frustrating.
Historically in Christian circles, sensitivity has been seen as a sign of immaturity, especially to those who aren’t as sensitive. And sensitive people often internalize this perspective, seeing their tendencies as an unshakable flaw in their walk with Christ. Many sensitive people I’ve talked to have cried out to God to “fix” their hypersensitivity because they believed it to be a significant spiritual hindrance or even a sin issue.
Is this in line with how God views sensitive people? Why does God make certain people more sensitive than others?
Diversity within the Body of Christ
Though strong natural inclinations can lead to sin, feeling strong emotions, empathizing with the emotions of others, and experiencing stimuli differently is not inherently sinful. It comes down to a difference in how we’re wired as image-bearers of God. Everyone has different natural tendencies, different personalities, different strengths and weaknesses - it's part of the beauty of the body of Christ. But human bias assigns disproportionate value to some giftings over others, which is the sin of partiality (James 2:1-13). Romans 12:3-8 lists spiritual gifts, such as mercy, prophecy, and exhortation, which are often amplified and aided by spiritual sensitivity. This passage shows us that each unique set of giftings are a sign of God’s grace and carry equal weight in building up the kingdom, so who are we to treasure some more than others? Clearly God does not make such distinctions.
Of course, sensitivity can come with its burdens and hardships, and it can negatively contribute to sin struggles. Anything good within us can cast a dark shadow and often our greatest strengths and weaknesses are two sides of the same coin. For instance, I have always been extraordinarily stubborn. Obviously this has its downsides - I rarely back down on my questionable decisions, I have a hard time receiving unpleasant input, and I double down on meaningless or blatantly wrong stances. However, over time God has sanctified this tendency of mine to look more like steadfastness. My steadfastness kept me in Boston (where I knew the Lord called me) after not finding a job after 3 months of living here. Of course the shadow side of stubbornness still lingers, but I’ve seen how God can transform a strong personality trait into a blessing. When God transforms our biggest burdens or weaknesses into our greatest strengths, we can’t help but acknowledge His hand in the process. He is glorified in our most dramatic transformations.
So how does sensitivity become a spiritual strength? I believe it inclines a person to compassion, wonder, and spiritual discernment.
The Strengths of Spiritual Perceptiveness
Sensitive people can often pick up on subtle mood changes in other people, and it can often lead to anxiety or a compulsion to fix what may be upsetting them. When sanctified, this tendency becomes a beautiful display of spiritual perceptiveness and paves the way for Christ-like compassion. Godly, sensitive people are often the first to know when someone could use care or encouragement. They are more likely to anticipate needs, listen with empathy, and emotionally support others. And, especially if this sensitivity is coupled with a strong sense of justice, these people can become excellent advocates for the broken and needy.
We see Jesus exemplify this in Luke 8:43-48 – when the bleeding woman touched the fringe of His garment and was healed. In verse 46, He says, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” Although He was engulfed in a crowd, Jesus perceived a notably different type of contact – one that was in desperate need of healing. He not only noticed her, He dignified her in front of the crowd, despite her status as ceremoniously unclean. To top it off, He calls her “daughter” and it is the only time He uses this term in scripture. What a special display of affection and tenderness! He is the epitome of perceptive compassion.
The Holy Spirit is the one who gives us eyes to see the condition of someone else’s heart (John 14:26). Those who have been sanctified in their sensitivity can recognize a timely, Biblically-based word of encouragement that can speak directly into a person’s heart. Spiritually sensitive people remind us of the special nature of God within us – the God who orchestrates interactions and prompts us and moves through us. We could all learn to hear and act on the Spirit’s voice by watching sensitive/spiritually mature people’s example.
Emotionally Vivid Worship
Selfless sensitivity serves the needs of others but it also aids and amplifies private worship. I have been amazed at how quickly spiritually sensitive people recognize God’s beauty in nature, in other people, and even in their circumstances. The reality of God’s handiwork is vividly clear to them and leads them to their knees in adoration and wonder. I am prone to apathy, so I envy my sensitive brothers and sisters for the consistent emotional depth of their worship. They experience joy, gratitude, and love for God so intensely that it spills into their conversations and reflections. And it becomes wonderfully contagious. The Church needs to experience worshipful emotions, and our sensitive peers lead the charge.
My sensitive friends often sound like Psalm 139. It’s full of sweet adoration experienced in overwhelming amounts – “such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it” (verse 6).
God is faithful to use sensitive people to build up the church, inspire awestruck wonder, and discern the work of the Spirit. Let us embrace the beauty and value of the gift of sensitivity.