Kristen Henderlong

Have you ever been around new people and then came home and felt completely and utterly drained?

Maybe this is your everyday life.  They say an extrovert receives energy from people, but introverts receive energy from being alone.  If you are more introverted and you work with people everyday, maybe you feel more drained at the end of the day than someone else.

I recently spent an entire weekend with people I didn’t know very well.  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed myself.  But I was also surprised how drained I felt when it was over.  It made me think about how often I experience something like this.

It’s rare that I spend much time with people I don’t know; several first impressions at once.  I found myself constantly thinking about everyone’s feelings and how to be true to myself.  There was a level of desire to make people laugh; make people like me or feel comfortable with me.  I wanted to be helpful.  I wanted to know them and understand them.  I wanted them to trust me even though they had no idea who I was.  I found myself constantly wondering what they were thinking, how they were feeling.  I was always processing.

Despite the fact that I was tired afterwards, I was also in awe of how rewarding it was.  There’s something so fulfilling about making new connections and learning from others. We spend so much time judging and worrying about being judged that we often pass up opportunities to be around new people who can impact our lives in so many ways.

I know you’ve heard it said, “There is nobody else in the world just like you. You are one of a kind.”  This is so true and can be very encouraging in the right moment.  But think about every other individual in the world.  There’s billions of people out there.  Billions of INDIVIDUALS.  Each one of them is not like any of the other billions of people.  Each person you encounter is one of a kind.  That blows my mind.  The vastness of the human race is unfathomable.

With that being said, think about the people who aren’t strangers in your life.  The people who mean so much to you.  They love you and you love them.  There’s fulfillment there… there’s purpose, motivation and inspiration there.  God created us to be relational and connect with others.  It’s who we are.  Therefore, every individual you come across who you don’t know is another opportunity for fulfillment, purpose and God-given connection.  Every unique person can teach you something if you let them.

I know it can be uncomfortable at first.  There are people we connect with right away and then there might be some who require more effort.  But it’s worth it.  It’s worth it for you and it’s worth it for them.

Historically I tend to be more introverted.  I feel more energized when I have had time to recharge alone.  However, I have had periods of time in my life when I was hungry for connection and relationship, too.  BUT, I do not like to let anything define who I am or what I do anyway.  I am not perfect at it, but labels like “introvert” and “extrovert” are a big one I notice and I actively press against.  God is bigger than my “energy needs.”  He calls us to pray in solitude so I know ultimately it’s ok to recharge from being alone with HIM.  Those who favor an extrovert mentality should do this as well.  Ultimately, my soul is recharged from being in His presence, not from “being alone.”

Don’t let labels define who you are.  God can do anything.

I challenge you to see strangers as brothers and sisters.  I challenge you to remember they are unique and one of a kind.  I encourage you to be curious and take a risk in relationships and with new people.  It’s what you were made for.

Remember: You are loved.