Gerth - Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be You

Holley Gerth is a deeply wise and trusted guide into what it means to thrive as an introvert. Holley is not only a true sage, but she also lives the truth, health, and wholeness of which she writes. An invitation to journey with her toward genuine growth and flourishing should not be missed. Practical, researched, and profoundly helpful, these pages will be a relief, an epiphany, a manifesto for any introvert.

Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Way and One Thousand Gifts

Through her wisdom and insight, Holley Gerth has given us a powerful resource on how to see, develop, and champion the unique voice and gifts God has given introverts. If you are an introvert, are married to one, have kids who are introverts, or work with introvertsyou dont want to miss this gift to us all. A masterful work emphasizing their personhood, power, strength, and resilience.

Dr. Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors

As an introvert, I am profoundly grateful for this book. Understanding and embracing how God has made us is a liberating journey. If you are an introvert or love an introvert, this book could be a relational game changer.

Sheila Walsh, cohost of LIFE Today and bestselling author of Praying Women

I am an extrovert surrounded by a family of introverts, so I was grateful to see this book. Introverts offer so much to their families and the world! In The Powerful Purpose of Introverts, Holley Gerth uses personal illustrations, stories of famous introverts, and a fascinating look at neuroscience to better explain and celebrate introverts. Whether you are an introvert who needs to find your power or someone like me who wants to better love and understand the introverts around you, youll find this book invaluable.

Shaunti Feldhahn, social researcher and bestselling author of For Women Only

Very few people have the mix of compassion, boldness, and emotional intelligence to speak so powerfully to the hearts of introverts the way Holley does. Add to that her deep heart for God and his purposes, and you have a book that will lift your spirits, give you life, and restore the broken little places in your sense of purpose. If youre an introvertand if youve ever felt invisible or insignificant just for being youthis is your new guidebook for being the very best version of yourself for all the people you love the most.

Brandon Cox, lead pastor of Grace Hills Church and editor of Pastors.com

Holley has poured research, encouragement, and attentive care into these pages. I am an introvert. Through these pages, I became more visible and distinguishableto myself! Let us understand how weve been created so we can fully surrender to the function of our beautiful design.

Lucretia Berry, PhD, educator, author, and creator of Brownicity: Many Hues, One Humanity

As a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, author, and speaker, I can tell you that one of the biggest issues I see people facing is not feeling comfortable in their God-given skin. Even more so for introverts, who often believe they are not enough when compared to their extrovert counterparts. Holley Gerths newest book is a much-needed resource. The Powerful Purpose of Introverts unpacks what introversion is, how it is manifested, and how we can celebrate the gifts introverts bring to a family, a project, or a gathering. If you are an introvert, Holleys book celebrates you and will help you celebrate your God-given strengths and purpose too. If you are an extrovert, this book will help you appreciate the unique giftings of the introverts in your life.

Dr. Michelle Bengtson, clinical neuropsychologist, international speaker, and author of Hope Prevails and Breaking Anxietys Grip

Youre Already Amazing

Do You Know Youre Already Amazing?

Youre Made for a God-Sized Dream

Youre Going to Be Okay

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days

Youre Loved No Matter What

Fiercehearted

Hope Your Heart Needs

Strong, Brave, Loved

2020 by Holley, Inc.

Published by Revell

a division of Baker Publishing Group

PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.revellbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-4525-0

This publication is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed. Readers should consult their personal health professionals before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it. The author and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained in this book.

Unless indicated otherwise, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled CSB are from the Christian Standard Bible, copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations labeled ICB are from the International Childrens Bible. Copyright 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled MSG are from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations labeled NCV are from the New Century Version. Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Myers-Briggs, MBTI, and MBTI Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of the MBTI Trust, Inc., in the United States and other countries.

Cover 1

Endorsements 2

Other Works by Holley Gerth 4

Title Page 5

Copyright Page 6

Introduction 9

1. What Being an Introvert Really Means 15

2. A Deeper Look at Who You Are 29

3. Strategic Solitude 46

4. Meaningful Connection 58

5. Genuine Influence 69

6. Sacred Confidence 78

7. True Well-Being 87

8. Hard-Won Resilience 99

9. Sharp Thinking 116

10. Insightful Perception 132

11. Intentional Energy 142

12. Live Your Powerful Purpose 159

Keep Moving Forward 173

Book Club Questions 175

A Thank-You Note to Extroverts 187

Acknowledgments 189

Notes 191

About Holley 203

Back Ads 204

Back Cover 209