The Introverted Christian

My mouth was dry like the Mojave Desert. My thoughts were tired and sludgy. I felt slightly morose as I had forgotten to take the tablet for my gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Having already thrown up, I could still feel the sizzling acid creeping out of my stomach into my esophagus. On top of all that, I was drained from having spent the whole day at a training course—with other people!

“So, anything good about today?” My pastor asked as we drove back with the others from our church. I can’t really remember what I said. I stumbled, said something that probably wasn’t how I meant to say it, until finally someone else concisely explained what it was I was trying to say.

I am an introvert. That may surprise some people, for I have no qualms about speaking in public and I love acting. But nonetheless, I am introverted. What does that mean? I get my energy from time spent alone rather than with other people. I prefer to be in low-stimulating environments, and too much time with people can drain me.

In our culture that seems to favor the extroverts, it’s important to consider how we view introverts in church. We need to remember that the body of Christ is made up of people from all sorts of backgrounds and personalities. Each of us has our gifts, and can serve in different ways.

At the same time we shouldn’t use our dispositions in temperament as excuses. I need to be willing to be stretched and serve in areas that require me to get out of my comfort zone. This is painful, but growing in our walk of faith always is. Let us look to God to help us serve Him and to grow in our service, whether we are an introvert or an extrovert.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. —1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV)

Written By Sean Tong for YMI

8 replies
  1. willy
    willy says:

    hi,thats agreat write up,i struggled with the same issue plus i also had gerd but God healed me of both,at apoint i had become suicidal and hopeless coz of being an introvert,am now looking back overwhelmed by Gods goodness..He has shown me that my temperament is not adisability. Willingtone from nairobi kenya

    Reply
  2. Alan
    Alan says:

    Sometimes it takes an introvert to be able to reach another introvert…

    God can use those of us who struggle with this to get alongside and support others – as shown here, by the help and encouragement felt by those who have already left comments (and me, too!).

    Being able to empathise with someone can open doors which would otherwise remain locked to people with a completely different outlook on life, so it’s vital that us introverts still get out there and spread the Word, in our own ways.

    Don’t ask God to make you an extrovert – ask Him to use your introverted nature instead!

    Reply
  3. Eunice Rodríguez
    Eunice Rodríguez says:

    Keep going in the faith battle, Sean! Thanks for sharing your experience. We all fit for some work at church, so as long as we serve the Lord it doesn’t matter the task!

    God Bless you!

    Reply

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