Bible verses for introverts

10 Bible Verses for Introverts

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Are you an introvert? Are you a Christian? As a Christian, and a “recovering” introvert myself, I have had this post on my heart for some time. Over the course of my life, I have come up with some ways that have helped me to step out of my shell. But even more important than some tips and tricks to overcome shyness, there are some Bible verses that will show you that you are more than a label (even if it’s one you gave yourself). You don’t have to be stuck with the idea that you can’t be greatly used of God because you are too shy, too timid, or find yourself classed with the introverts.

We Belong to God

John 1:12 ~ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Isaiah 43:1 ~ But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

As Christians, we are children of God. He has redeemed us. He calls us by name. We are His. This alone should strengthen us, comfort us and empower us!

We Don’t have to Be Afraid

2 Timothy 1:7 ~ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind

So, if God has not given us the spirit of fear, where did it come from? We may have had a bad experience, or experiences, that has placed in our hearts a fear of certain situations. But ultimately, the guilt lies within our own sinful natures. The devil seeks any opportunity to compromise us, and will tempt us wherever our weaknesses lie. (1 Peter 5:8) But remember, 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God has given us POWER to overcome our fears! We are not slaves to the devil’s lies!

We Should Be Courageous

Psalm 27:14 ~ Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Joshua 1:9 ~ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Those verses from Psalms and Joshua remind us that not only SHOULD we be courageous, but God COMMANDS it! That may seem impossible when faced with a situation that brings about discomfort, maybe even to the point of physical illness. But these next two verses tell us why we can obey God in any situation.

God is With Us

Romans 8:31 ~ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31 makes me think of the account of Elisha and the invisible army in

2 Kings 6:16-17. When the young man was afraid of defeat, Elisha prayed that his eyes would be opened. When this prayer was answered, the young man saw that the “mountain was FULL of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. ” With an army like that on our side, how can we possibly still be afraid?

Hebrews 13:6 ~ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

We can step out of our comfort zones, knowing that God is not only for us, He is also with us; we don’t have to be afraid of any situation!

We All (Including Introverts) Have a Mission

Regardless of whether we consider ourselves introverts or extroverts, God does give us all the same mission, and the same instructions as to how to carry out that mission.

Mark 16:15 ~ And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Acts 1:8 ~ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

1 Peter 3:15 ~ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

As introverts, we need to be careful not to use our shy tendencies as excuses not to witness to others or to serve God. Of course, there are many different ways to approach people with the Gospel message, and many different ways to serve that suit our very individual personalities.

Redefining “Introvert”

One description of introvert that I find very interesting is “one who needs time alone to recharge and re-energize”. This makes me think of Jesus, who often went off alone to pray and spend time with God. I think this definition for introverts is the one that fits me the most. Now, instead of considering myself shy, I realize that I do need to give myself some time to recharge. I try to plan that time into my weekly schedule.

Admittedly, my natural inclination is to lean towards solitary (or family) activities. Reading, writing, and spending time with my family are my favorite things to do. But knowing that I have this downtime planned in the near future helps me to be able to really embrace the time that I spend with others. In addition, knowing that God is right there with me gives me the courage to step out of my comfort zone when I have the opportunity!

What Does the Bible Say About Shy People?

What does the Bible say about ?

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2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 97 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 83 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Exodus 4:10-12 ESV / 76 helpful votes

But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 63 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / 35 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Exodus 4:12 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Matthew 5:5 ESV / 21 helpful votes

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV / 20 helpful votes

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Proverbs 29:25 ESV / 19 helpful votes

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV / 14 helpful votes

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

John 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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John 3:16-17)

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Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. Cite this page: Editor: Stephen Smith. Publication date: Jan 9, 2023. Publisher: OpenBible.info.

The Power of the Introvert and Preaching the Gospel

Bible Lessons

Posted by 09/24/2017

If you consider yourself an introvert, then know that you have strength and features that you can use in preaching Gospels. In 1921, Carl Gustav Jung introduced the concept of psychological types. Since then, people have been wondering who they are - introverts or extroverts, and scientists have been trying to find out who is smarter . ..

And Jesus came up and spoke to them: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Wherefore, go and convert all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you, and I will be with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). nine0003

We introverts tend to feel that preaching the gospel is the exclusive work of extroverts. Jesus commissioned us to preach His Good News. So who is naturally more inspired by this: those who thrive among crowds of people, among communication and conversation, or those who prefer to relax with a book in their hands in a quiet room?

You may have thought so before, if you are an introverted, quiet indoor dweller like me. You may even have come to the conclusion that since God created you to be an introvert, He probably doesn't expect you to preach. After all, it's not your gift, is it? You are both right and wrong at the same time. nine0003

Saying that something important is not your gift is, whatever one may say, a disregard for responsibility. If you don't believe me, try the same thing the next time your spouse or roommate asks you to do the dishes. And apart from your "pale appearance" in front of your spouse or roommate, what else makes this excuse so ridiculous?

Well, first of all, Christ spoke directly about our great task, and this alone should be enough to stop using such an excuse. nine0003

In Matthew 28, Jesus does not say, “Extroverts, convert all nations.” Jesus does not divide the disciples according to the type of character at all. Rather, Jesus states that the reason they can and should share the gospel is because “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). It's not about the disciples themselves, but about the power and authority of Christ. He expects all His followers to share their history of relationship with God, not because of their particular personal gifts, but because they share the general call given by Christ. He has given us His authority. nine0003

Why does God call introverts to share their faith?

But if so, why didn't God make us all extroverts? Wouldn't this work much better if the people who are assigned to go out and talk to others would naturally want to communicate with different people? Of course, He could have done it this way as well. But why did God decide to call introverts along with extroverts to participate in this global task?

1. To show us His greatness

Perhaps one of the reasons God has called introverts to preach the gospel is that they can be a living example of the gospel's excellence. This is the strength of the introvert in the work of preaching. After all, most of us know that introverts by nature tend to spend time alone and avoid large crowds of people. So when we see introverts go off the beaten track to meet new people or invite others into their home, we see that the gospel is far more valuable to them than their own comfort. nine0003

Imagine the strongest introvert introvert you know. Now imagine him sharing the gospel on a street corner. Or, which can be even more difficult for such a person, with a colleague, neighbor or family member. You know how difficult it will be and you should listen more carefully. After all, for the sake of a very important message to the world, this person is ready to go out and share with others.

2. The way for us is to grow and get stronger

God has called introverts to evangelize because it is a way to grow in holiness. To choose a difficult path means to sacrifice one's preferences, to "die" to oneself in order to obey God. This is the mark of a believer's maturity. And donating or "dying" is exactly how an introvert can feel after a long period of time they've spent with people. So the temptation for introverts is to find loopholes in the system. Are you familiar with the statement “Preach the gospel, and if necessary use words” (Francis of Assisi)? Is this really what Jesus meant when he said, “Preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15) and “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20)? No, the hard truth is that Jesus says exactly what He says: we must dedicate our lives to the Good News of our resurrected Savior. And that means using words to communicate with other people. nine0003

This is why introverts have to fight especially hard against the temptation to evade the call to evangelism. This struggle is a major part of our path to holiness.

3. Reap the Harvest of Joy

God has called introverts to evangelism because the reward of joy they receive far exceeds any comfort gained through social exclusion. As an example, consider the 72 disciples Jesus sent out to preach like lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3). It doesn't feel like an adventure that many of us would volunteer to go on. However, the same 72 people returned later in such great joy that they could hardly restrain themselves from expressing their thrills (Gospel of Luke 10:17). In fact, they rejoiced so much that Jesus had to remind them that the excitement of work should not overshadow the significance of their own salvation. nine0003

4. Doing good according to His plan

God called introverts to preach the Good News, and He fully prepared us for this. Yes, God has blessed all believers with the Holy Spirit, which equips us for bold and effective service. This great truth is the same for introverts and extroverts. We carry the most important message in the world! But it is not about us, not about our personalities and preferences, but about the authority of Jesus and the power of His Spirit.

What are four ways an introvert can share the gospel? nine0029

Introverts are just as called to evangelism as any other personality type. In fact, God has been able to equip us introverts with a unique and unusual way to share the gospel.

First feature: Introverts naturally gravitate toward one-on-one interactions rather than conversation within a large group. While large group conversations are certainly beneficial, one-on-one conversations tend to allow for more in-depth listening and sharing.

The second feature: introverts prefer to listen more, and the internal processing of information goes deeper compared to speech. This can be of great help to those who feel the need to be heard and understood before seriously considering the other person's point of view (in this case, the gospel). nine0003

Third feature: Introverts tend to develop deeper relationships with fewer people. The level of intimacy in these relationships can help create an atmosphere in which the gospel can be shared more effectively with genuine love, sincerity, and trust.

And the last feature: introverts like to spend time alone, especially after a long conversation. And what better thing to do alone than to pray for the person you just shared the gospel with? We can even assume that God created introverts specifically to be the best vessels for the gospel! nine0003

From one introvert to another

Love can inspire both introverts and extroverts to solve difficult problems. Does this mean that an introvert should meet with a group of people, and an extrovert should leave the crowd to spend time alone interceding for others? Both of these actions are motivated by love, which transcends the craving for comfort. Together, whatever our personal preferences, we open ourselves to love, like the sacrifice of Jesus, who left His comfort for our eternal comfort and joy. And we step out of our comfort zone in faith to declare that love to others. nine0003

Editor's note: This article was recommended by Douglas Jacobi through his website. We have translated it and we are pleased to invite you to familiarize yourself with it.

Article by Mike Schumann

Mission and Evangelism

Four misconceptions about introverts

Telegram channel @ieshua. org

I am an introvert. Most people who don't know me well won't guess that introversion is about me, but it's true. On a practical level, being an introvert means that in general I am more energized from time spent alone than from time spent with other people, and I prefer less externally stimulating environments. I feel very alive in a calm, empty room. On the spectrum of introversion / extroversion, I am closer to the middle, but still leaning towards the introvert. nine0003

The process of understanding introversion and the way it was expressed in my life has been a great relief, as well as a constant source of doubt and anxiety. My everyday reality is people who are intensely stimulating from the outside. I am married to an extrovert, we have four children and we live in an urban setting. Our home environment is fun and energetic - definitely not something that calms me down. My husband is the pastor of a large church and we are involved in many ministries around the world; hence our social circles are wide and complex. To complicate things even more, my spiritual gifts are often expressed publicly, as are the (not innate!) social skills that I have come to learn and practice over time. These realities, coupled with my particular need for peace and solitude, have often left me and others confused about who I really am. nine0003

The lie I've been most tempted to believe is that the way God created me is incompatible with the life He called me to live. The logical conclusion from this deception is that joy and contentment are impossible, and disappointment is inevitable.

It took me some time to unearth and formulate this lie under the layers of fear, doubt, insecurity it produced. I knew these beliefs were out of alignment with God's disposition and promises, but it required a deep dive into the truth of God's Word to renew my mind and eliminate deception. Along the way, I discovered subtle (and not so) assumptions that I clung to for a long time. nine0003

1. Extraversion is the biblical ideal

There's a little question our culture asks about idealizing extroverts. Those who naturally have good social skills, seem to thrive in a "party atmosphere" and exude confidence when meeting new people are often considered exemplary. I spent many years wondering why casual small talk about "nothing" made me feel uncomfortable when it came effortlessly to my friends. In some churches that focus on community life, preference may unintentionally be given to those who are most comfortable in society, share their thoughts and feelings most quickly, and are most likely to throw a party. But there is no biblical precedent for idealizing extraversion as well as introversion. I know extroverts who feel condemned because calm surroundings and time alone are something that confuses them. They find it difficult to avoid comparing themselves to other, more introverted, contemplative types of people, and to avoid attributing the reasons for their struggles to a lack of self-discipline, when in fact the preferred environment has little to do with self-discipline at all. nine0003

Comparisons are useless and do not lead in this case to an ideal that simply does not exist in the Bible. The body of Christ includes people of all types (introverts and extroverts), and no one's contribution is more important than another's. We all have a responsibility to spend time both personally with God and with others in worship, study, prayer, and service. To descend to cultural standards that do not align with spiritual truth is destructive to people and the Body of Christ.

2. Introverts don't like people

This was the lie that hurt me the most. I care deeply about people, but I need time alone to recharge and be able to give my best to them. It took me years to see this as a good guide and not some flaw that I need to get rid of. In fact, and perhaps ironically, the main thing that kept me from loving people was my attempt to be something that I am not. The more I tried to be that "soul of the company" infinitely accommodating other people, without considering that I needed restoration, the less I had the ability to actually love people. nine0003

We are all responsible to obey the biblical commandments related to sacrificial, hospitable and generous love for people. And that's an excuse to use introversion as an excuse to self-isolate defensively. But there is no one or ten “correct” ways to love people. I have learned to better manage talking about nothing and interacting with people I don't know because it's important and necessary, but it will never be my strongest point. I have become much more comfortable opening my home to small and large groups of people, planned and spontaneous, but deeper communication with one or two people, for example, during coffee trips, will always be the place where I achieve maximum success. . While accepting my God-given introversion, I still allow myself to feel a certain tightness and discomfort. But I passionately look for opportunities where I can deeply love people using my gifts and life, and then humbly take responsibility for renewing my strength in a way that suits me. nine0003

3. Solitude is selfish and self-indulgent

This statement may be true. If my choice to be alone primarily serves for me, and reinforces my self-centered focus, that's a problem. But for a long time, I believed that seclusion for prayer, Bible study, or worship was necessary, but for anything else other than that, it was probably not serious. However, I have come to experience tremendous benefits from various solitary activities. Seclusion is not inherently beneficial or harmful, but the main purpose of seclusion is crucial. I can go for a run to clear my head and enjoy God's gift of nature—or I can sinfully distract myself from something I have to fight. I can sit alone in a coffee shop to reflect deeply on the events of my life, or I can worry about things that are out of my control. When I cooperate with how God created me and give my privacy to Him, He uses it to renew my soul in often unexpected and powerful ways. nine0003

4. Introversion is incompatible with teaching and leadership gifts

Last year, after a friend of mine watched my husband and I teach in front of a thousand people, he kindly commented that I simply couldn't be an introvert. I knew he meant to compliment and I also understood his confusion. People who are capable and confident in front of large audiences don't quite fit the introvert stereotype. And while it's true that many introverts don't feel comfortable around people, I do. How much this has to do with my personality, gifts, or years of training in music, theater, teaching, I don't know, and it probably doesn't matter. What I do know is that when my adrenaline levels drop after such an event, I need some time of silence and solitude to fill up. I am passionate about teaching God's Word and I love to use my gifts in this area, but it is equally important for me to take the necessary steps to have a place for quiet rest. By God's grace, I am learning to see my more public and more private sides not as incompatible, but as counterweights, balancing each other out. nine0003

Also, my leadership gifts do not express themselves in the same way as my extroverted husband. As a leader, I lead people from a more contemplative position. My creativity flourishes and my best ideas come when I have more time to be alone than when I'm brainstorming with others in a very dynamic atmosphere. Since there is no specific, detailed leadership model that fits all occasions, ministry in our churches will be better when there is room at the table for both extroverted and introverted leaders. nine0003

Accepting the reality of the person given to me by God was a process of sanctification. I had to repent of pleasing people and trying to be what I am not. I had to humbly acknowledge my limitations and weaknesses and live in God's strength, not my own. Ultimately, this process was about God and His Kingdom, not about me. The more I calm down in the grace acceptance of Jesus, the more free I become to be myself for His glory. And it is a place where joy and contentment abound. nine0003

Author — Amy Patrick / thegospelcoalition.org
Translation — Diana Smirnova for ieshua.org

Amy Patrick is the wife of Darren, pastor of The Journey Church in St.

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