On Being a Christian Introvert
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…
I needed to hear this message, thank you!
I’m an introvert I write poetry and am writing a comic book and I’m 34 ( most females I know are extroverts )
The introvert extrovert spectrum can clearly be seen in Jacob and Esau. (Gen. 25:27) Esau’s hasty nature is a classic extrovert weakness, and Jacob’s ability to notice and exploit that falls into the the introverts wheelhouse as well. Paul was likely an introvert based on 2nd Cor 10:10, since introverts often express themselves better in writing. Let’s face it, we know little of his mission trips, but the work he did from the isolation of prison has stood as a testimony for all time. Let us not forget that 1st. Cor. 12 does not just speak of diversity of talent, but also recognize diversity of need. Extroverts have a hard time recognizing this since they see everything through a filter of self, and project that onto everyone. Which often comes off as very dehumanizing to introverts
What about stuttering introverts? That’s painful.
Jesus is the lord thanks you god bless
Nice video, Tim. I am also an introvert like you, Tim. I’ve noticed that, in church, extroverts get the most attention and the most recognition. This I believe is an issue. Now, no one NEEDS attention or recognition to survive. But I believe that introverts suffer more in this regard, as they are typically behind the scenes types who are frequently ignored or overlooked. Perhaps this should be the subject of another video…that Christians should NEVER favorite one type over another in church. Just making an observation. Thanks again.
What’s the point in going to sunday service without a girlfriend, wife, or a friend?
Thank you for this, this video encourages me, I am an Christian introvert who is spiritually struggling.
Introvert here .
I like being alone and to myself. Always thought their was something wrong with me. Im not unsociable, but I will only go so far with relationships . I dont shut myself off from people and I’m trying to be better for the Lord.
I’d like to hear more about how to leverage the gift of introversion to serve God in unique ways, instead of just hearing about how to serve God "in spite" of introversion.
❤
Thank you.
As an introvert I am able to experience the power, presence, and provision of God on a deeper level. I’ve come to realize that my private experiences with God have enhanced what I am able to achieve and perform in the eyes of the public.
Jesus Himself after being surrounded by people withdrew into the mountains to be alone with God His Father.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Not every aspect of your faith should be done before the eyes of the people, After all we are called to seek His praise and not the praise of our fellow man.
To anyone reading this I pray unto you Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.
I Love all. Be Blessed!
Thank you so much, this is encouraging, it is both a rebuke and an encouragement.
Is “introvert “ mentioned in Scripture?
I’m introverted to the point of getting up to use the bathroom right before ‘meet and greet’ at church. The shelter in place has been wonderful
I could hear you much better if you were to turn down the music.
This really helped me understand that I am an introvert, but I should not use it as an excuse not to do what God wants me to do just because I’m an introvert. I am an introvert, "but it doesn’t define me, it’s not all that I am" Thank you Sir Tim Challies.
I try to do what God calls me to do, to the best of my limited abilities. But I really hope He grants me more solitude after I am done with this mortal form.
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!
Hi Tim, thanks, I’m a introvert and have found these questions encouraging. Blessings Helen
I can talk to people and be around them but i never enjoy it nor do i want more friends. Im kind of weird and there arent any people who are weird like me and enjoy the things i enjoy.
thank you very much!
Pretend to be an extrovert? That’s almost always the advice that people have. It doesn’t work.
There are a couple comments here that just display how self absorbed some people are and they like to blame it on being introverted. When you come to Christ you are to die to self. If you can’t shake someone’s hand or say hello,, even though it makes you uncomfortable do you really love for that person. How do you exhibit all the fruits of the Spirit?
I am a really shy person and awkward whenever someone shakes my hand in the church. I really can’t stand talking to a stranger for a long time and really picky in choosing friends. I have friends, but I don’t want to be to be really close to me. And I got drained when a friend continues to check on me. This makes me think that maybe I am really not fit in spreading the good news, that I can’t do it. Maintaining relationships and making friends are already difficult for me. Sharing the gospel has been the hardest. But I realized you are right. We are called to deny ourselves, and obey Christ. That this introversion must not get in the way of what He called us to do. I am really convicted for making an excuse not to love people. And I seem to forget that God will give us power to overcome our shortcomings. Introvert or not, we should obey God
I am definitely an introvert. I’ve been this way all my life.
The fact that this video has to be produced shows how much God hates introverts
Hey brother. Just found your channel, its a part of my feed now. This isn’t the first time that a video of yours has come up that directly addresses a question I have in my heart. Isn’t that interesting? I think so. Thanks, brother.
The cowardly unbelievabling abominable murderers sorcerers liars idolatrous will all have their part in the lake of fire jesus christ is coming back repent
If you shall not speak, stones will cry.
as introverts we are also very sensitive. i am more sensitive to noise and chaos.i am physically and emotionally exhausted much of the time.i think we need to finbd unique ways to contribute alone. you can pray alone. you can write alone. you can bake goodies to give people alone. it’s wonderful to be introverted we just need to contribute in our uniqueness.
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.
Yes. Quiet is very good!!
Is there a way to meet other Christians in my area online because I’m introverted and was rejected my whole life and I know I need some other Christian friends and I tell myself this Sunday I’m going over and over and over but Sunday comes and I chicken out and I think it would be better to connect with someone from a church first so I don’t have to go alone!? Can u tell me wut to do? I live in marshalltown iowa!?
I think it’s worthwhile to note that your experience of introversion may be very different from other peoples’. I also speak for a living, but social situations, including ones at church, can cause me to totally shut down, even bringing me to tears.
As an introvert, I am at a stage where in order to have any interaction with strangers or brother/sisters in Christ, I need to deny myself.
If most of my relationships with people are forming only because of my frequent self denial, it becomes a performance and hard to maintain.
The resulting relationship that people have with me then isn’t with me but with a version of me created because of that self denial.
Such relationships become superficial for me whereas for the other person it might not be the case. This creates an unhealthy and unbalanced dynamic. Such interactions often times become so draining for me :’)
What I am realizing through the years though is that there are levels to a relationship and such a relationship needs time to be nurtured and grow into a deeper one. If an interaction doesnt progress to the next level(for eg it is at the base level) that is fine and doesn’t mean that I am selfish. No one is entitled to a very close relationship with me without there being mutual interest and efforts.
Also, not all relationships need to be a one of friendship.
I need to admit where I am at and from there try to grow.
GOD is the one who causes a transformation in me. I alone can’t do it, otherwise it will become a performance and not me.
There is this podcast called the Deeper Christian podcast by N.R Johnson titled "Aggressive abiding in Christ", which helped me realize how important it is for the life of Jesus to flow through me to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
God wants a transformation from me not a mere imitation. The imitation of Jesus is the first step but my heart should be transformed.
Then I can find the genuine version GOD gave me the potential to be (which might manifest differently in me than it does in others), to bear such fruits, instead of trying to live up to a version of myself that doesnt take into consideration who I am.
I can’t take myself out of the equation. GOD made me different and with purpose.
The way I love might look different from others and that’s okay, I just need to find it with God. I need to deny myself but at the same time be honest with where I’m at and take small steps working through things.
What this guy is talking about and what the comments are referring to are two different things it seems. Introversion is a personality type, but many in the comments are describing, shyness(which is fear), insecurity, and perhaps self esteem issues. They are different I believe from introversion. Those other things are things that have to go because they aren’t from God.
Yea Great if you go out there and make a dick of yourself in public speaking or if your a stutterer or say something you regretted.ill leave that to the pros like you. I don’t need browny points just an understanding ear.work all week tired, Saturday running around choirs then Sunday love to sleep in, get paper read have cookup breakfast relax chill at home and enjoy home but if at church how can you do that? Got tired of people and myself and false hope and left church not god.its hard but better than feeling more alone in church with people ie single bloke while everyone else is in families. Hard 30 yrs prayer and still single tired and too late now.living with 30 years of waisted time in prayer for what a heavy heart.thats why I’m on YouTube a bit sad hey!
I’m introvert. Thanks Tim. God bless you
Seems like Jesus may have been introverted at times. He was a deep thinker and spoke only when necessary.
He often withdrew to quiet places to be alone in prayer to the Father.
Yet Christ loved others and spent time serving and showing others the life of Christianity. So who knows. Lol.
Don’t go to church on Sunday. Keep God’s Sabbath each Friday sundown to Saturday sundown.