Introvert Christianity

“Blessed be God… Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3a, 4 [KJV]

Licorice the cat

I was recently sitting in our living room, my sister’s cat asleep on my lap. Suddenly the doorbell rang, and the cat bolted. She hid under the bedroom wardrobe and did not emerge until she was sure our ‘scary’ visitor, otherwise known as the postman, was gone.

I love church and (mostly) enjoy social interactions. But sometimes my heartrate increases, my hands grow clammy, and I wish I could bolt like the cat does. I happily talk about pets, family members, work, and the weather, yet I struggle to share deep feelings and need alone time to recharge my social batteries.

Other people may be energised by crowds, constantly stay back to talk, and regularly add new acquaintances to their phone contacts or prayer list. Perhaps, one might argue, these extroverts are the people called to fulfil the Great Commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” (Matthew 28:19).

But there is no asterisk, “not applicable to introverts” after that verse. There is also the command to fellowship with Christians in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… but exhorting one another…” I want to obey God, but I quake a little (or a lot) at sharing the gospel and worry that I’ll regret confiding in other Christians.

So how does this work?

In Exodus 4:10, “Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” God had just commanded Moses to advocate for the Israelites, but Moses preferred keeping sheep. The Lord replied: “Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?” (v11). If God didn’t accept Moses’ excuses, He won’t accept ours either.

As Christians, we are called to become more like Christ. Regardless of personality or circumstances, we face the same core issues: fear, pride, weakness, selfishness. Take it to the Lord, pray for His enabling, and don’t limit His working. I read an article claiming introverts were good public speakers and preachers because they are typically critical thinkers and good at monologues. I wonder if it’s because the introvert’s fear of public humiliation encourages thorough preparation?

Preparation does help. If you are intending to share the gospel, write a list of key gospel verses or carry tracts that do so. That non-Christian is facing eternity in hell. Your words might not be world-changing, but “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,” (Hebrews 4:12a).

Adopt an extrovert. Seriously. The Lord responded to Moses, saying, “Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother?… he shall be thy spokesman…” (Exodus 4:14). Adopting an extrovert might help short-term, and allow you to learn by observation to interact with others. But you must learn to speak too. Moses eventually did. When Aaron sinned in creating the golden calf idol, it was Moses, not Aaron, who stood in the gate of the camp and sounded the challenge, “Who is on the Lord's side?” (Exodus 32:26)

Pray. Take your burdens to the Lord (Psalm 55:22). Voicing your deepest, most hidden things will not diminish God’s love for you, and He delights in our prayers (Proverbs 15:8). Pray for others too: your prayers are part of God’s plan for that person. As you pray, the Lord may enable you to be more comfortable speaking to them.

You might also find it helpful to write out your feelings. I have a ‘vent’ diary I use when I feel too overwhelmed to talk to others. It helps me identify key issues and then more calmly and logically discuss those issues with others. And I am often blessed by the Psalms, which start with the author pouring out their woes before God, and end in praise and renewed faith.

Speak. When you became a Christian, you promised to obey the Lord. Sharing the gospel with non-Christians and fellowship with Christians are two basic commands that help us and others grow. Both involve speaking to people. Perhaps you can share a thought from the sermon with another Christian. Or, like I did last year, post a few sentences explaining what Christmas means to you in your work or family group chat. Christmas and Easter are great witnessing opportunities; and times people are more open to attending church or asking about how you celebrate.

Ultimately, being an introvert does not justify disobedience. You have many important things to share. And you have the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, living inside you. He “comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4). You are a Christian. That means you are called and enabled by God to be a channel of blessing, not a stagnant pool.