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Question
As a strong introvert, I find interacting with and ministering to other people draining. How can introverts like me embrace their God-given personalities and still manage to serve Him without feeling exhausted?

Doug's answer
Indeed, God has designed you and has a place for you in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:11, 18). Of highest importance is ensuring that your doing flows out of your being. This means you must discover who you are and how God has wired you, and then operate from that posture.

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Build solitude with the Lord into your weekly schedule that will re-energize you. Be cautious, though, that your solitude doesn’t become an excuse to shy away from fears, problems or people.

2. Read Understanding How Others Misunderstand You by Ken Voges and Ron Braund. They unpack various personality styles through biblical characters.

3. Determine more about how you’re wired by asking yourself these questions:

a. Are you more of an intuitive person or a sensing person? As you consider this, think in terms of how you deal with information and solve problems. The intuitive person is an idea person, creative and imaginative, who has moments of inspiration. The sensing person is more focused on details and facts. The sensing person’s preferred mode of operation is perspiration, not inspiration, to deal with whatever situation is at hand.

b. Are you a thinker or a feeler? This pertains to how you make decisions. A thinker will primarily consider the costs and the effects of a decision. A feeler will primarily consider how decisions will affect people.

c. Are you structured or unstructured? This is your life orientation. Are you more of a planner and organizer, or are you more spontaneous and flexible?

These categories have helped me understand myself better and then find a place of ministry that enables me to be who I am.

4. Discover your spiritual gifts (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4). Identifying your passion(s), burdens, joys, abilities, and experiences will help you focus on who you are and how you can serve.

5. Remain flexible. Be careful not to draw hard lines in these areas so as to box yourself in and so hinder the Holy Spirit from growing you, developing you and using you how He wants.

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