Jesus Often Withdrew To Lonely Paces

In our society, the term "introvert" almost always carries a negative connotation. Extroverts, on the other hand, are praised as possessing great virtue. To describe an extrovert, appropriate phrases include "social butterfly," "gregarious," and "life of the party." Conversely, introverts are more suited to the terms "selfish," "antisocial," "socially inept," and "nerdy." Regarding introverted Christians, I have often heard people use the words "unspiritual" and "spiritually immature." These words are usually followed by an attempt to transform the introvert by manipulating the character of Christ and His Word.

The true meaning of an introvert is someone who is energized by being alone. An extrovert, on the other hand, is someone who is energized by being around other people. This does not mean that introverts are lesser beings, hopelessly flawed by negative character and personality traits, with no desire for intimacy. It just means that God created two types of people in this world. Therefore, an extrovert should never prejudge, criticize, or bully an introvert, and vice a versa.

Many times Jesus Himself sought privacy, silence, and solitude to recharge, reflect, and pray. He loved and cared about people very much, but He also frequently needed the time to be alone.

"When Jesus heard what had happened,

He withdrew by boat privately

to a solitary place."

Matthew 14:13a (NIV)

"After He had dismissed them,

He went up on a mountainside

by Himself to pray.

When evening came,

He was there alone."

Matthew 14:23 (NIV)

"Very early in the morning,

while it was still dark,

Jesus got up,

left the house

and went off to a solitary place,

where He prayed."

Mark 1:35 (NIV)

"At daybreak

Jesus went out to a solitary place."

Mark 4:42a (NIV)

"After leaving them,

He went up on a mountainside to pray."

Mark 6:46 (NIV)

"But Jesus often withdrew

to lonely places and prayed."

Luke 5:16 (NIV)

"One of those days

Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray,

and spent the night praying to God."

Luke 6:12 (NIV)

"Once when Jesus was praying in private . . . ."

Luke 9:18a (NIV)

Whenever Jesus withdrew from people to be alone, was He being rude? Selfish? Antisocial? No of course not! Then why do we unfairly characterize introverts in this way?