In a world that seems to favor extroverts, being a shy Christian introvert can be challenging. However, confidence is a trait that can be grown by drawing closer to our faith. Grounding ourselves in our beliefs and surrendering our fears and anxieties to God can help remove the burden of others' opinions. It's also important to develop social skills at our own pace, taking small steps outside our comfort zones and celebrating our unique gifts and talents. By doing so, we can cultivate the confidence needed to navigate the world with authenticity and embrace our personal growth journey.
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365 Days a year, we have this Gift of CHRISTmas to open…to give and receive.
No matter what this past year was for you, we have every new Today to keep opening our Gift. When the Lord created us in our Mother's Womb, He knitted within us a specific design for power, impact, love, strength, ability and value. We were created to radiate His glory through our hearts, loving Him and loving others in a world Created by Love yet for the most part, betraying it every day.
We were created as Light Houses to shine in the darkness.
When the Son is before us,
shadows cast behind us.
We have the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weaknesses and our doubts to strengthen us to show up in power and love in. world so desperate for it. I think we get so busy or down on ourselves www forget our missions, we forget our equipping to change atmosphere in Jesus Name. When ws the last time your heart smiled? your should felt truly rested? surrendered?
We have all we need to walk consistently and confidently in our missions here on earth. You don’t have to be perfect. God is perfect!! Jesus gave us His heart and we have the choice to give Him ours.
When He holds our heart, our world opens up in ways we cannot imagine. Everyday is a Gift.
So while we sit in the dreamy decor of Christmas lights and shiny gift wrapped presents, may our souls be kept in His Presence. When you feel the swift swoosh of Calm and Delight, it's not magic...it's Holy Ground shaking beneath your feet. It's the reminder of an Oh so Holy Night, Divine Appointments, a Prophecy and The Promise fulfilled.
Today, may you also find yourself at the Feet of Peace, adoring the Great I Am, The King of Glory who Is, Was and Is To Come. He is the Alpha and Omega, The One our Hearts Long for. Let the Silent Night be your daily hope. For unto us, Our Savior was gifted to us. Receive His heart in to yours and let's choose to Light up this world with the Hope we have.
♥️
I enjoy sharing little videos of encouragement on my Facebook Page if you don't follow me over there, I share my heart over there too!
Blessings,
Michele
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
Wishing you had more friends? Feeling shy? Wishing you had more energy to have more friends? Wishing you felt like one of the cool kids too?!?
Insecurity is a thief! Shyness and insecurity robs us of joy, confidence, and the ability to have meaningful connections with others. This is especially hard when you are an Introvert, and even more so if you have dealt with anxiety. It takes real energy to put ourselves out there!
The fear of being judged, the fear of rejection and the constant comparison to others is exhausting! It leaves us paralyzed, hesitant to trust ourselves and, more importantly, hesitant to trust others. And let's get really real...when we don’t really like who we are, we assume others won’t either.
There's the bottom line of it all!! FEAR!!!
But God! We were created as a precious and important part of The Body. We need others in our life. How else will Titus 2 happen? How else will we mentor others and Go Therefore to disciple others?!? It begins with the hearts closest to you. For me, the key to making real friends and breaking free from "friendship-insecurity" was when I focused on trusting God’s heart first, to lead me to others He had prepared for me.
At the core, I think most of us who are shy or struggle with insecurity, need to look at our lack of trust—trust in ourselves, trust in others, and trust in God. When we anchor our trust in God, we build confidence and can embrace vulnerability with others. I knew I was a good friend to others...loyal and trustworthy. I just had a hard time sharing my own heart, out of fear.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Taking small, intentional steps toward vulnerability and openness feels scary but again, if we place our trust in God first, seek Him first, we can start practicing our vulnerability with Him which will help us do the same with others. The first friend you should have, after Jesus, of course, is yourself. I know that sounds weird and hard to do but it’s necessary!
I know! You don’t really like too much but that’s because you’ve listened too long to what the enemy has told you. You’re pretty cool actually and when you find your friend group, you’re gonna light up inside and feel blessed. You won’t feel the need to hide or filter your thoughts. That feels so good! Trust me!
Here are a few things to get started:
- Prayerful Reflection: Begin by seeking God. Ask for wisdom and discernment in understanding your own insecurities and how they impact your relationships.
- Scriptural Assurance: Trust God’s Word over you. Understanding that you are loved, valued, and protected. Lean into His friendship first.
- Community: Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can provide encouragement and accountability. Practice sharing your opinions and talents with a small group and allow God to expand your boundaries of friendships one person at a time.
As you begin to open up to others, here are some practical steps to develop trust with others:
- Invite God: Invite God into the relationship, whether it’s working, friends or intimate, inviting God to be part of the cord of three strands not easily broken is crucial for alignment and building trust.
- Open Communication: Share your thoughts and feelings with others, and encourage them to do the same. Transparency builds trust. Remember it should be 2 ways!
- Forgiveness: Understand none of us are perfect and misunderstandings will happen. Embrace a spirit of forgiveness, recognizing that forgiveness is a gift to yourself as much as it is to others. It allows relationships to heal and flourish.
- Celebrate Each Other's Journey: Instead of comparison, celebrate each of your unique journeys. Recognize that everyone has their own struggles and triumphs. You may be someone's answered prayer in friendship! Ever thought of that!?!
Breaking free from insecurity is a process. It's a personal development journey for sure! This all begins with trust— trusting God, trusting ourselves, and trusting others. By anchoring our relationships in the unwavering love of our Creator, we pave the way for meaningful, authentic connections.
With God as our BFF, we can overcome insecurities and experience the richness of genuine relationships.
It’s worth the time and energy to do the work necessary to open your heart! As an Introvert, you likely don’t want or need a ton of friends and that’s okay! But we do need some to do life with. Pray for those iron sharpeners whom you can trust with your heart and watch your heart overflow and wash away shyness one heart hug at a time!
I am excited to be your friend!! If you are looking for a group of other shy Sisters, meet us over in the ButGodSisterSquad.com
Big Heart Hugs,
Your New Friend,
Michele
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
In the fast-paced world we live in, full of shiny objects and options, it's easy for the mind to become a battleground of overthinking, anxiety, and fear. For Christian women, it's so important be aware of the tendency to overanalyze situations, anticipate problems, and dwell on negative outcomes so we don't give the enemy a foothold. Let's create a space for grace with these three practical steps that can help break the chains of overthinking...
Step 1: Let Go and Surrender
The foundation of overcoming overthinking lies in surrendering to faith. As a Christian woman, you are called to cast your anxieties on the Lord, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Embrace the truth that God is in control, and His plans are greater than any anxious thought. Begin each day with prayer, committing your worries to Him and seeking His guidance. Create a sacred space for quiet reflection, allowing God's peace to fill your heart and mind.
Step 2: Replace Negative Thoughts with God's Word
The power of Scripture can transform our thoughts and renewing our minds. Memorize and meditate on the scriptures, allowing them to replace negative thoughts with the promises of God. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Step 3: Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude
When you feel yourself tempted to overthink, ground yourself in the present moment. Pat attention to your thoughts and where they begin shifting into a negative space. Take deep breaths and focus on the beauty of the present moment, engaging al the senses.
Sit in gratitude. Give thanks for the blessings in your life. A heart filled with gratitude cannot be consumed by overthinking. As the Apostle Paul encourages in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
The enemy would love for you to be consumed with overthinking and keep your mind swirling! BUT GOD!!!! He is not the God of chaos!
As a Christian woman, you have the armor to guard your heart and mind, God's Word, and gratitude to overcome it. By surrendering your over abundance and swirly thoughts to God, replacing negative thoughts with His promises, and practicing mindfulness and gratitude, you will break free from the shackles of overthinking and experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Embrace the present moments, making the wisest decision you know how to and release it to The Lord, walking confidently in the assurance that you are held in His loving hands.
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
Hey Shy Introvert Sister!!! I want you to know I see you and understand you! It's so weird that while we may feel especially shy in some areas of our life, we aren't in other areas. I've been thinking about it a lot lately asking myself WHY do I feel so shy but not always...I am looking more into this "shyness" and bringing it to the Lord...As it feels right now, here are some of the fears you may have.
Do any of these sound familiar?
- Fear of Judgment:
- Worrying about how others will perceive you and fearing potential criticism or negative judgment
- Fear of Rejection:
- Concerns about being excluded, ignored, or not accepted by others
- Social Anxiety:
- Feeling anxious or uncomfortable in social situations, especially when interacting with new people or groups (this is why I love the buddy system!)
- Fear of Making Mistakes:
- Perfectionist tendencies may contribute to a fear of making mistakes or not meeting self-imposed high standards
- Fear of Failure:
- Anxiety about not succeeding or meeting expectations, leading to a fear of failure and its potential consequences when a mistake happens
- Fear of Being the Center of Attention:
- Shy introverts may feel uneasy about being in the spotlight or drawing attention to themselves
- Overthinking:
- Tendency to overanalyze situations, anticipate potential problems, and dwell on negative outcomes, which can contribute to anxiety (yep!!!!)
- Lack of Confidence:
- Low self-confidence and self-esteem can lead to fears of not being capable or competent in the new endeavor
- Fear of Unfamiliar Environments:
- Anxiety about navigating new or unfamiliar environments, interacting with new people, or dealing with unknown situations
- Fear of Being Misunderstood:
- Fear saying the wrong thing and feeling discounted; freezing/overwhlem and not being able to think straight
- Concerns about Exhaustion:
- Worrying about the potential drain on energy from social interactions or new experiences, which can be especially taxing for introverts
- Fear of Commitment:
- Apprehension about committing to something new, whether it's a project, relationship, or social event, due to concerns about not being able to perfectly handle the associated responsibilities and expectations
- Fear of Loss of Control:
- Anxiety about not having control over a situation, especially when faced with uncertainty or unpredictability
- Fear of Disapproval from Authority Figures:
- Shy introverts may fear disapproval or criticism from authority figures, such as supervisors or mentors, which can hinder their willingness to take on new challenges
While some of these things would be true for every heart centered person who genuinely cares about the things they do, being shy brings a level of misconnection when our shyness keeps us in these spaces.
When we can begin to recognize ourselves thinking and behaving this way, it's then we can begin to choose courage instead. I've learned a lot about neuroplasticity the past few years and the importance of personal development, growing in emotional intelligence and confidence.
As a Christ Follower, we are strengthened not only in walking in faith but God gave us each other, to sharpen each other's armor, carry each other's corner of the mat and walk through a split sea with!
Grab a friend and walk out this shyness by stretching your comfort zone.
One of the first things I began doing was looking up when I walked into a room and not look down at the floor. I also made the habit of saying Hi to every person my path crossed in public, church, wherever! Not only did I want to push my comfort zone, I wanted the other person to feel seen, in a good way, not in a weird way...but in the way I wish I was seen.
You are more than a conqueror and just remember, no one is asking you to be someone you're not. God gives all of us different personalities and learning styles. We each have. special role in The Body, in The World to serve and do out part. Whoever you are created to be...be HER!! Unafraid!!! Bold & Brave!! Not loud....loving!!!
Blessings,
Your Big Sister Michele
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
