First of all: there’s really nothing wrong with being an introvert.
I’m happy and at peace by myself or “alone” with God. I embrace quiet moments, pick up on smaller details, think things through, and have no trouble keeping myself entertained.
But it can also sometimes feel like a curse.
I regret not being more outgoing. Parties and events can feel exhausting. And often it seems like I’m the odd one out socially.
Worse, I can think that being an introvert isn’t who God wants me to be.
Sermons and personal stories at church get me thinking that more effective Christians are be more outgoing. Maybe if I am more of a people person, start more conversations, have more people over, I’ll be better. (Honestly most of the time this is in the way I interpret it, not how it’s actually said.)
And then I get completely overwhelmed and want to lock myself in an introvert tower with books and Netflix and snacks until I feel like coming out again. It can make me feel discouraged about myself and confused about God.
Let’s back it up a bit. I can’t speak for God, but there are some things I know about him to be true.
God created us to be like him.
Genesis 1:27 NIV says that “God created mankind in his own image.” He created us to be compassionate and strong, analytical and creative, bold and humble, and so many other things. And he created us to interact differently with people. All of these things are at different levels and combinations to make up who we are.
To say that God favors one characteristic or temperament over another isn’t fair – to God or us. There are many sides to our God, and many different kinds of people and personalities. Whatever your composition is, you are made to reflect God’s character in some way.
God is transforming us to be more like him.
Even though we’re created to be like God, as humans, we still fall short. Something that always gives me hope is that God isn’t through with us yet. No matter how imperfect I can feel, or how much I can wish for change.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV says, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” I also love Philippians 1:6 NIV – “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Thank God he continues to work on our hearts and help us to become even more like him! He doesn’t give up on us as we fall short, and also treasures us the way he made us.
God has a purpose for each of us.
God designed us with a mission in mind, and it’s not on our own strength. Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
So often I feel the pressure to make myself “be a better Christian” (whatever that means). I’m starting to believe more that I can let go of this expectation for myself and trust God’s process instead. That he is growing me into who he wants me to be, so I don’t have to work hard to become the picture of what I think I should be.
God meets us where we are (but also expands our comfort zones).
Revelations 3:19-20 NIV says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me.”
“Rebuke” and “discipline” are words that have a negative connotation, not ones we typically associate with love. God does. He wants us to live free and in the light, and doesn’t just leave us deceived in our own mess. But he also doesn’t leave us to figure it out alone. He stands at the door and knocks, hoping for a relationship with us.
I’m not sure how you feel about being an introvert. For me, it varies. But I do know these things about God: he wants a relationship with us. He loves us as we are, and wants to see us be all that we can be.
How about you?
How do you think God feels about introverts? Are there any scriptures that encourage you as an introvert?
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo Credit:
1 – My own
2 – Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
3 – IB Wira Dyatmika on Unsplash
I am also an introvert. It has worried me because I battle to speak openly with non-believers about my faith. But when I voiced this to a friend, she was surprised. She said it was my quiet, firm belief that drew her in! I guess God is able to work with whatever personality traits we have. Here I was worrying that I’m not outspoken enough, without even realizing that God was already at work through me!
That is such a powerful example!! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I remember telling a friend I was an introvert and could struggle with social anxiety, and she said she would never have known. That is totally God! Because I feel it so keenly. Grateful he can use me despite the things that make me feel so weak sometimes.
I am so right there! Especially at “So often I feel the pressure to make myself “be a better Christian” (whatever that means)” I am at times tormented with that! I realize God made me to be who I am but it can be stressful thinking I can or need to be better……..
1 Peter 3:4
“but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God”
Love, love that scripture, Mary! So important to remember that God looks at the heart, not outward appearance. I get so caught up in my actions. Thanks for sharing.
I am an introvert. starting conversations with someone is a strugle. Talking to someone about Christ in a one to one basis is hard for me. Yet if I have to preach to a crowd initially I’m nervous but then God takes over & people who know me. Cannot understand how I can be so comunicative when I’m so shy. But God!!!…..praise be to our God!
That’s awesome, Dorcas! Where we feel weak, God is strong 🙂 He fills in our gaps!
I have been questioning myself as an introvert lately. Even though quarantining is rampant and, one might say, everyone is forced to be an introvert at some level for the time being, personally, I feel really out of place at times. When I think of sharing the gospel, I wonder how that is even possible! I avoid conflict at all costs and the only people I’m around are my neighbors who could, for the most part, care less about knowing God. I know I have an identity in Christ; I just don’t know how to “live it.” I think a certain degree of self-preservation from the glancing eyes of others keeps me from being true to myself when around “them.” I am thankful for this article. So much ignores the introvert aspect of humanity but this article speaks strongly about how important introversion is to God.
Thanks for sharing here, and for the kind words! I understand feeling out of place, and figuring out how to live out our identity in Christ. In some ways, God invites us out of our comfort zone, and in other ways, he designed particular aspects to glorify him. It seems to be a work in progress, one of those things we may not fully understand until Heaven.