Mental Health for Christian Introverts 

This video was so timely, I resonate with so much of what you’re sharing. “We get excited when things get cancelled” 😂 it’s so true!

I have so much of this in me… Ppl have a hard time believing it cuz I’m a clown, but I crave in depth conversation, I hate meet and greets and having to perform…

Thank you so much for helping me to understand me as a Christian introvert 😂

Wow, you hit the nail on the head when you said introverts are quiet but not shy. I love one on one quality interactions but I get anxious in group settings. especially with NEW people. Someone once said as an introvert, "I LOVE people but I don't LIKE people" 😂 Social settings drain me. If I go to a social event, small group meeting, etc; I need DAYS by myself in order to recharge and feel good again. As an introverted Christian, this video was helpful and has blessed me! It answered so many of my questions and reading the comments section reminded me I'm not alone. Thank you ❤

Yes on the oppression. Completely. I am a foster mom and have shared the gospel with many many children. I am a teacher. I love kids. But still feel guilty that I am not doing more “soul winning”

This is so helpful, I'm an introvert and always beating myself up over "accomplishing" witnessing. It's so stressful! But I sure get you about the church situation, I want to be there, but don't suffocate me!!

I'm 15 minutes into this video and Mark has already spoken on a number of aspects of my personality , and the awkward moments with others when they ' don't get it' . 31 minutes in and Mark has put into words perfectly how we as individuals and groups can interact awkwardly with each other, often not being aware of what's really going on within ourselves during these moments . I'm a 64 years young Englishman, and am still learning to remind myself to make eye contact with strangers on the street as we pass by each other. It's not easy sometimes . Especially if I'm in a bad mood . And my responses to others when they don't acknowledge me during these times is a learning curve too. I used to think of myself more as an introvert and a shy person . But now on reflection, I think that was because fear was the dominant emotion in my growing up , and most of my adult life . Thankfully, that is no longer the case for me . It's taken years of unraveling and letting go of my fearful mindsets . I was not crazy as I thought myself to be , so much of my life. I was existing in extreme levels of high anxiety and I couldn't find the long-term freedom from it . Some periods of relative peace were experienced for a while , but always the anxiety and fear would return with a vengeance. Bottom line is , I don't categorise myself as introvert or extrovert anymore . I can be both , pending on any given situation and mood I'm experiencing. " Perfect love casts out all fear, for fear has to do with torment" When I began to accept God's acceptance of me no matter what I'm feeling , and allow His Agape Love to embrace me during the storms and turmoils of life , fear began to subside. In time , courage , boldness and occasionally a 'just don't care' attitude has mostly replaced the fear . I'm still a work in progress though. That's why I need to come back and listen to Mark after time away . 🆓✝️🇬🇧

Yes, Mark that's me.

Some of this resonates. Small talk is so annoying 🙄 and boring. I prefer being by myself or with family. I have one friend. That's enough. Socializing causes me to burn out for days. I care about people but I don't need to be surrounded by them. I've got ADHD too. My husband, kids and friend are introverts. I can't stand malls, night clubs, parties, going for coffee or being the centre of attention. My worse nightmare would be if my friends or family threw me a surprise party. I've warned them not to ever do it 😂. I've learned tricks to avoid unwanted contact. I don't need it. I am happy being at home all the time and only go out if I need something. I don't need lots of people, events or entertaining. I like quietly reading and doing art by myself. Can anyone relate 😂

Tank you SOOO MUCH!!!! Everything you just talked about, described me and how i relate to myself and the world. I've known for years than I lean towards beeing introvert, but I just realized that it is nothing "wrong" with me! What a relief! 😄 It is ok to be introvert! THANK YOU❤️

Thank you for this. I've been agonizing over what I feel is a lack of care for the world because I don't want to put myself out there. I've never been one to put myself center stage or even bother with conversation further than a hello. My faith has always been uncomfortable for me and I feel like I never have peace in my faith because I'm not doing what the majority is doing so it makes me think my faith is weak and that I'm not doing my part in the work of salvation for others. I'm one who enjoys building the kingdom in the background and not how the majority of churches are teaching and trying to enforce. My anxiety and frustrating amount of overthinking keeps me from even doing my hobbies in peace let alone be able to walk in my faith. I know if someone brings up the conversation I will wholeheartedly put my all into it to share my faith but just going and doing has never been an easy thing to do. This video really helped me out and centered what I hear from everyone else that I should be everything but myself. Thank you and God bless.

I lose my energy so fast with other people especially extroverts. I feel bad when people invite me but I’ll say no when I have “peopled” already for the week. I’ve noticed I can only socialize 3 times a week maximum. Or I become irritated easily and exhausted. I feel like I need to “exercise my social muscle” but every time I try it ends in the same results of irritation and exhaustion. This video makes me think maybe I need to learn to work with my introvert rather than exhaust it. Thank you and bless you Mark!

I’m an introvert in the church. I HATE the meet and greets during service. HOWEVER. I currently belong to a church that is filled with introverts (how does that happen??) and there is no meet and greet. I tell you, I almost YEARN for those meet and greets again. I’ve been at this church for 4 years and STILL no one hardly talks to each other no matter how many times you try. It’s a stone wall. They are nice people but you can feel the distance between everyone and it hurts my heart. To the point I’ve been going less and less. So groan if you will at the meet and greet, but it’s good for us introverts to have a way to break the ice.

It’s so refreshing to hear this coming from someone who was themself a pastor. I feel so seen rather than like a pariah for feeling the way I have

Thank You for sharing this, this hit home with me it help me out a lot I always felt like I was awkward for being an introvert in social setting feeling like I had to be a certain way to fit in. But now really looking to understand who I'm and be ok with that and not try to create a certain imagine so other can accept me more. Learning to embrace my self for who I'm. And its good to know that I'm not alone in this understanding, there are other people who are just like me that can relate God Bless You Have a bless day!

For me, I think it's a mix shyness, self-consciousness and introversion. Growing up I was extremely shy and just uncomfortable being around people I did not know especially if I was expected to interact with them like in school. As I grew in school and in work life, I would be the one that wanted to raise his hand to ask a question but was too concerned about looking dumb so I would hold back. I mostly viewed being shy as a negative thing, which I still think it is. I know you mentioned shyness is not the same as introversion, so I do have some traits of introversion but not all. I do like when a party gets canceled LOL. However I don't mind small talk, and greeting people to show that your friendly as we do in church. It just gives a positive vibe to the group and it is welcoming. Now standing up and telling people your life story, I would just be too self-conscious about doing that, again concerned that I say something dumb or stutter or get mixed up with my thoughts. I also deal with some OCD stuff I'm sure that doesn't help. I do like to spend time by myself because I don't have to be self-conscious.

As a Christian introvert, I can relate to absolutely everything you said!! The struggle is real. 😅🤯 Great teaching, Mark!! ❤

You and your wife are such a gift. What you share is so meaningful. Not sure how I found you on RU-vid but I sure am glad I did.

Dear Mark-This was the best video I’ve heard regarding introverts in the church! I’ve struggled all of my life thinking something was “wrong” with me for not enthusiastically joining the crowd. Even to this day I have those moments so listening to you address introverts has given me hope. You hit all of the nails on the head and I had to laugh at times going,yep,that’s me!

I go through so much because my hubby loves to talk to people and I don’t always. I feel like such a loser.

Right on about time somebody preached on this I've been to some churches where pastors would get up there and demonized people that are introverts but you know how some people can be with their gift of assuming things over people

Definitely a Christian introvert. I will say though, I never cared for music being played while there was supposed to be quiet time to think. Also, even though thoughts are quiet, I didn't like having to mull over something right then. I wanted to leave, go home and go over it in my own time. Back to the music thing, not sure why I feel this way, but the music playing while it was quiet would always irritate me and aggravate me. I think because I feel like someone is trying to manipulate my emotions to feel how they want me to feel?? Am I the only one? Does this make sense? Like, let the Holy Spirit work on my heart, please don't play this serious melancholy music to try and get me in the "spiritual" zone.

This is me. Everything you’ve said so far. But I always thought it was shyness. And blame and depression set in. So please, what is the definition of shyness? Can you be both? So many people in church push community, get in a group. And when I don’t I feel guilty. I’m single as well and that seems to make it even more difficult to have this type of personality.

This was very blessed for me, I was praying about my Character. And I believe the Holy Spirit led me to your videos.. praise God, and thank u for believing in Jesus Christ.🔥🙌✌️😉

Thank you for posting so often. Your content has been life changing.

Thank you, been going through storms and overwhelming pressures for little while now and thankfully this showed up right timing needing His direction where to let Him work on me.

So true, church life as an introvert is somehow hard, during lunch breaks people who are friends sit in groups and just enjoy talking with each other and I want to have that with them but I don't so it gets lonely sometimes coz I crave that deep genuine talks but I don't have that with them

Thank you for this message 😇 I often feel as an outsider or silent observer… interacting with others (even people I love) does take a lot of energy… even if it’s just listening-

I'm in need of a break, for sure!! Pouring out but I need time with Him to be filled properly. I like deep, too and been called out of a dysfunctional church. I married an extrovert who still attends that church and I'm serving online. I need to establish healthy boundaries with folks online. Online, I'm too accessible. I'm also called to work with the marginalized, even more challenging. I'm very tired.

Hi mark! I really appreciate how insightful this was, thanks for taking your time with this, it was great to hear and take some selahs to allow myself to process and think about my life and those around me :)

Thanks Mark. Refreshing

Thank you, this really helped me!!

Thank you ! Mark this was very helpful. I related and was able to identify where I am in this . I’m going through all of what you touched on.

Great stuff Mark. Such a gift

Thank you so much!!! This was excellent - I learned a lot, & it definitely shed light on understanding myself better. Thanks for the blessing. 🙂

Agree 100%! Great video! Blessings!

Keep up the good work, brother. Said a prayer for your ministry just now.

This was so freeing for myself and also for understanding my son. Thank you so much brother from another mother 🙂

Exceptional. Thank you 🙏 God bless you

Mark, this is the best!! I don't feel like I came from a different planet. Perfect examples.

Mark your channel is truly a blessing. I can’t tell you how validating this video is 😅❤

I’m so relieved to know that I’m not alone and people do understand. Thank you for this video.

Thank you for this! This is me to a T lol and I’m ok with that. God made us all in our own unique ways. Thank you for helping us understand that uniqueness in a loving and joyful way! ❤️

Great teaching thanks a lot have spent the last 40 years in the church really enjoy your understanding of the Church world and your humor God bless your ministry enjoy you and your wife 😇

Man! I wish I knew all this when I was younger, and still beneficial today. 😅 those points were me on the dot. It’s exhausting trying to be extroverted but balance is great. Wonderful points! Thank you for sharing.

Wow, thanks so much for this. This describes me so much. I often feel like I need to be "fixed", because this personality has made navigating life pretty challenging for me. It often seems difficult for people to understand or resignate with me and so I have a hard time having genuine connections with anyone. It gets pretty lonely at times.

I just wanted to say something. I am an introvert due to an unfortunate event in my life. Not being able to trust anymore at the age of 14 i decided to not talk to anyone anymore nor make friends. I do have 1 freind we've known eachother for 20 years. I dislike gping to events and meeting ppl. But now at 25 i realized i cant be like this forever. My mom wants me to socialize but being alone for too long its like feeling comfortable being this way its hard to get out. The church is a place where u are social. When u are not it makes it difficult 😢😢😢😢😢

Really encouraging to me , a Christian introvert, May the Lord use you mightily:)

Thank you Mark. You have described me. I prefer solitude and sitting at home in silence. Pouring out is tiring, church leaders never understood why I’d ask for rest when serving and unfortunately labelled me as a non believer or troublesome. Now healing from all that and more. God bless you.

Geez this is soo accurate. I'm glad i saw this geez

bro i feel like your the only one who knows me. haha. this was so helpful ty

Great topic. I am very outgoing and people often think I’m an extrovert but I lean toward introvert. I love deep conversations. I love people and I love sharing. I’m not shy at all. But I really need my space and time alone as well. If I don’t have my time alone I feel extra exhausted and will resent being pulled in too many directions. I do love to meet and greet though. Love me some smiling and hugging. It is interesting how we are all wired similarly but very different.

At my workplace, I always feel out of place because everyone talks to one another but not much to me. When others need help, I’m the last one they call on.

I am definitely an introvert and have a disdain for "waste of time" programs and activities. I will often ask God to block certain programs that just seem to have that smell of using a whole lot of time and energy with very low potential for fruit. I've tried to soften my heart though and I realize that for some people it's the activity and the work itself that brings them a sense of fulfillment and its not my place to correct their course. I also try to realize that I don't know everything and I leave the outcome to God.

Hahaa! I am DEFINITELY an introvert! My mom was visiting and I finally got my stuff put up and laid down and she heard me squeal excitedly! and she said "what happened?" I said "I'm LAYING!!!" I derive so much joy from simply laying on my couch and breathing with my eyes closed for a little while, or playing a game. I love people but I do have a social interaction cap before solitary refills are needed!

This video has helped me except who I am with my introvert personality lol thank you Mark I don't feel like such a weirdo 😂

I’m a Christian introvert and work in the sound booth. As soon as I get to church, I get in booth and get things turned on to get out of greeting everyone coming in. I leave that to other people. I like being in my cubby hole booth away from people. 😁Oh I will talk to people but its a few people and short chit chat. One time we went to a 2 hour dinner show and was ready to leave at the first hour. Can you believe I’m married to a extrovert for 35 years too. I think I’ve helped him be little more calmer and he helps me be little more talkative around people. Man when you started talking about “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Thats my pastor. He gets onto us if we don’t praise the Lord. 😲 He needs cheerleaders like little old ladies gives him or he will say “Its quiet in here”.

I feel like someone finally gets me. Lol 😂 and you wouldnt believe me being that I serve in my church worship team.

This totally describes me…I feel like a lot of parentified kids have this…but the sensitivity…is that also called discernment of spirits spiritually speaking?

I believed that I was more introverted most of my life due to my personality Characteristics... But also seeing how heart-love issues and "sins" issues also effected change of mind and character.

Ďakujeme.

GOD BLESS YOU 🙏✌️😉🔥❤️‍🔥😌👍

Spot on sir #introvert

I appreciate your videos. I get very anxious and fearful in group settings. I avoid them to my own detriment (small study groups, fellowship meals). I’m 33 and and feel it’s a ridiculous struggle to have. What videos do you recommend from your channel to address this?

Ive been in the same church for 12+ years, same job for a almost that long, other than my wife and kids I've never felt connected to other people. 36:29

I am in the middle of the spectrum ..love social in small. Too social take too much energy.

46:54 disturbed im not like other people

This is me!! Timely as struggling at moment with craving connection with gods people so I asked one for coffee but another extrovert heard and she is setting it up like ceo WhatsApp group - women’s club and I’m overwhelmed and dreading the meet up now. What are your suggestions? I get integrated with questions like how much were my shoes etc and I don’t want answer such questions. I want to get out of group but can’t as I’ve asked my childminder to join it and what’s best way to leave and still be friendly and respectful at church? Uggh lesson 100 💯😮

Would any of the books you have written be a good follow up on this video’s topic? I’d like to hear more about how to cultivate time and value ourself and learn it’s ok to do so.

Yeah I'm the same

I'm super sensitive

What if I feel drained by being around people and I'm not looking to know people on a deeper level? I don't love small talk, but I don't light up with other, deeper, topics either. I genuinely dislike having conversations. I know I need to share Christ with others, it just feels like a massive burden where I'm easily distracted from the point, as I am with any conversation.

Nothing worse than an extrovert who thinks there is something mentally wrong with us introverts. We're good! And we like being this way. I'd rather watch a freshly painted wall dry than be around a group of people. Or even two people.

Im a loner always was ,dont know why ,its just because...wake up in the morning see the light,yes the sun is shining bright,but inside my head is deep despair and where ever i go its always there,misty God answer my prayer misty God are you really there ,misty God answer my prayer misty God do you really care

I’m an introvert and I will never witness to anyone. I’d rather just accept going to hell.

This helps me, thank you!