Navigating Joy and Suffering

This week on Typology, I sat down with the brilliant and buoyant Margaret Feinberg—author, teacher, and Enneagram 7 with an 8 wing.

We talked about her new book, The God You Need to Know, and what it means to experience the Holy Spirit’s presence—not just in the highs of life, but in the valleys too. Margaret opened up about facing surgery just before her book launch, navigating the exhaustion that comes with being “on” all the time, and how her joy had to be redefined in the midst of cancer.

We also explored how ADHD traits can show up in Enneagram Sevens, what it’s like being married to a Type 5, and how learning to rest isn’t easy when you live in a world that never slows down. Margaret also offered a fresh perspective on the Holy Spirit—not just in the New Testament, but throughout Scripture.

It’s a conversation about joy that makes room for sorrow, faith that’s been through the fire, and a Spirit who meets us in the mess.

As you listen, take a moment to consider:

• What does true rest look like for you?

• Has your understanding of the Holy Spirit grown or shifted over time?

• Can you recall a time when joy and suffering existed side by side in your story?