On Being a Christian Introvert

I receive lots of questions through the Ask Me Anything feature and like to answer them from time to time. Trinity from Houston recently wrote in and she wanted me to talk a little bit about introversion and about being a Christian introvert. So here we go...

[reinepoaty]

I'm an introvert and can't even be in church without feeling extremely awkward. Greeting people after the service is so hard i come across so cold, i go home and rethink everything obsessively. I know God has made me this way for a reason because the flip side of this is i have great empathy and sensitivity that others do not experience. It's hard to leverage, but I pray God that he uses me just the way i am.

[SoundsofGladness]

I'm introverted, I'm shy, but God called me to be out there and speak his word. At time is difficult and I struggle. Please pray for me for boldness!

[Waiting_with_oil_lamp_full]

I love having deep conversations, it's the small talk that is agonizingly painful!!

[joeltunnah]

Some of the extroverted displays of church community, like handshakes with the entire congregation, holding hands with strangers during prayer, etc, are very difficult for an introverted newcomer.

[subiramukami]

"The longer we go without obeying, the harder it will be to obey" welp, that was powerful

[d.a]

A meek and quiet spirit is a great price to God. 1 Peter 3:1-4. There’s nothing wrong with being quiet and reserved. But we all have to speak up when it’s time to

[alohawhy]

*I'm very introvert, but I'm bold for Christ, I share the gospel and warn my friends about hell* . They think hell is imaginary 🤦

[sylviag]

Thank you, I often have felt there was something wrong with me. Introversion is not a sin, not reaching out when the Spirit calls you is.

[jackbridges]

I've always been introverted. The way I reach people is through helping them. I feel very uncomfortable speaking so I try to let my actions speak for me

[RonMTube]

The US idealizes extroversion and sadly the church has followed suit, making many introverted Christians feel out of place. Unfortunate, since neither personality trait is superior. Both are necessary as they balance each other.

[nickdevriese]

I am an introvert and out of nowhere God put it on my heart to follow Him. I never really was a religious person. So, this proves to me and all doubters the Holy Spirit is real. Out of nowhere, I heard a calling. Just wanted to share this with my new found brothers and sisters. Praise God!

[Tenonthenose]

Introvert or not, you Tim were the only one that had answered my cry for help when I had reached out online to a few Christian sites. Since then you have lead me to many amazing preachers besides yourself that have helped me in understanding Gods word. I thank the Lord for you for your kindness and continued guidance . God bless you!

[VioletRaya]

I’ll be honest. I have my days. Some days I can face the world and keep up with mingling/fellowshipping but other days I simply just cannot. If I don’t feel like being there I leave service as fast as I can. No self torturing necessary.

[Womenswell]

Being introverted enriches my relationship with the Holy Spirit so much. Who knows us better? Nobody but the Holy Spirit.

[Rose]

Thank you for this. I’m a Christian and an introvert in a very extroverted, gregarious family. My relatives have always made me feel like something’s wrong with me when I’m simply just the type who doesn’t speak unless if I feel it’s necessary, and I like to pray to the Lord quietly and keep my conversations with Him private.

[antoinebadimame]

I am also an introvert. In fact, I have been so all my life(and I'm 22). I am also a church and worship leader. Some days I feel so energized and almost feel like an extrovert(almost I said), but that usually lasts just for a couple of weeks then I becoming as shy as I ever was again(:-D). I think the trickiest part in being an introvert is first of all acknowledging that it's okay to be one(I struggle with that a times) no matter what it seems like on the outside(what people say, the fear of missing out because your introvert etc). And secondly, as Tim said, introvert is not who I am, but it's what I am. Hence, being an introverted should not stop me from being all that God has called me to be; a kind, loving, self-controlled... person(Gal 5:22) and it should not stop me from obeying God. May God help us all to being the wonderful introverted people that we are in Christ.

[fiorellawailes]

When I accepted Christ in my life, I used to think myself as an “introvert” because that is what the world used to call me or define me and I do know I’m shy I the beginning but I asked Christ to use me as he pleased and if he wanted me to reach other souls and preach the gospel to change me and help me to live people like he wanted me to love them, God is doing it. Praise the Lord because we are not who the world tell us we are but who the Lord says we are.

[kathyvelasquez]

I’m an introvert in a family of extroverts. I fought it all my life growing up. My dad was class president, my sister was most popular, my other family members all have a huge flock of friends.
One day, I was being prayed over and the prayer said “this is God’s quiet and gentle child”. At that point I realized God made me this way. He will equip me for exactly what He wants me to do, just as He did Moses.

[suiteypies]

I'm painfully introverted. Since the virus hit, as an introvert, I'm extremely happy to be told to stay home. I did try going to church before this all began ( my brother was a pastor and I went with my mother and joined his congregation ) but then he came to me one day and told me he was leaving that church ( for personal reasons and the new church where he was offered a new position with was over 100 miles away) so I felt a bit like I had been deserted but I did continue going to the church my brother had left until my mother decided she no longer wished to attend that church as well. We tried another church but it wasn't the same, the people were a bit distant so we left that church too. I decided that I would just attend services online, it was better because I have a hearing problem and it's wonderful to be able to use the close captioning and not miss out on what's being said, plus I didn't have to start over in a new congregation ( which being an extreme introvert was very challenging to begin with ) I have felt guilty for not finding another church to attend and that I was using my introversion as an excuse, but I love my morning Bible study and I can watch all the videos online that I want. ( Ray Comfort is one I watch daily ) I do share online via Facebook and messenger important lessons I've learned and our Father's word.

[Winchester]

Good book: Quiet - the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking, by Susan Cain.