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AWorkInProgress

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Hello brothers and sisters,

I normally act like a sniper and scanning thru the forums seeing posts where I can be helpful. Today I think I just need to humble myself and I have to realize I need help too.

I am very introverted, I'm the dude in the background watching everything making sure everything is OK. Stepping in when I need to help out. I am very knowledgeable and I have a heart to help people. Yet because of my personality I am very isolated. It is so hard to care about idle chatting or just have fun like other people do.

I normally cheat and use people who are strong with social skills to hear about things people are going through and get my foot in the door. Now the wonderful women in my life, wife and mother in law, are going thru seasons of their own problems. Now that avenue is closed.

I been having therapy sessions with God to help work through my anxieties. Forgiving people who hurt me in the past, "daddy issues", and so forth. To see if that would help me to become 'free' from my limitations. I made a lot of progress over the years, but it is still there. That invisible barrier, that keeps me from impacting people around me.

Worst part is my gifts and talent requires people to work. I have to hear their problems to feel alive. No matter how much I want to run away from people, I need people. I am called to teach the Word, to help people discover their gifts, and encourage them when things get tough. Yet I can't connect with people naturally. It sucks so much.

My home church home group just disbanded and now our only option is large reformed church in the area. Which is like getting lost in a crowd again. I have no one to talk to about this other than the Lord and my wife. I guess I am kinda desperate at this point.

I appreciate any feedback I get. Thanks for taking the time to read my rant.
 

Southernscotty

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I am praying for you my friend. Have you considered starting a small home gathering with the people that you are comfortable with? Wherever two or more are gathered in Christ name is church :]
 
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maintenance man

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I also tend to be a shy introvert. I've worked through the emotional issues to a large degree but there is a physical component that I don't think is every going away - I simply feel uncomfortable when all the attention is on me. In my case, what I've learned is familiarity with a situation makes most of the anxiety go away. New situations are far more problematic for me than repeat experiences.


Of course I don't know how much your situation is like my situation, but if I had the passion for interacting with people the way you do, I'd find some way to slowly develop familiarity what those kinds of situations. I might look for a class I could take that is designed to teach the kind of Bible study or counseling skills I wanted to employ. And/or I might look to work as an assistant to someone who is already doing this kind of work so that I could take part more or less in the background until I began to feel comfortable in that situation.

Of course, the other path you could take is to work online rather than in person. Maybe writing a blog through which you teach the Word and offer online counseling.

Also, many large churches have small group programs. Being an assistant leader in a small group is a good way to slowly feel comfortable being a leader of a small group.

My central point is to find a way to gradually work your way toward your goal step by step.
 
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AWorkInProgress

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I am praying for you my friend. Have you considered starting a small home gathering with the people that you are comfortable with? Wherever two or more are gathered in Christ name is church :]

Dude I could so give you a hug right now! Thanks!

maintenance man, thanks for your feedback. It helps me to know I am not alone!
 
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