Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

Overcoming Fear

By Dana November 19, 2007 Character, Devotion, Faith, Women

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV

Tonight I will face one of my biggest fears – speaking in public.  This is my first speaking assignment in the writing/speaking/women’s leadership class that meets monthly.    It is part of the Forever 31 – Gather and Grow Groups with Proverbs 31 ministries. 

 The speaking assignment tonight is a 3 minute presentation of a testimony in my life.  It is not easy for me to allow myself to be vulnerable in front of others especially when I have to be open and honest about a particular weakness or unbelief that I struggle with.

 God moves us out of our comfort zones in order to grow us.   He has certainly done that with me over the past few years.  Just three years ago, I never saw myself able to lead a ladies Bible study.  I certainly would have never thought I would take a class like this.   Just the thought of speaking in front of others makes me sick to my stomach.  It is all about being available to be used however the Lord sees fit.

Our church is preparing to embark on several mission trips over the next year.  Again, I allowed myself to be dictated by my fears of traveling to other countries or the possibility of having to speak in front of people.   At the Women of Faith conference last week Patsy Clairmont shared her almost paralyzing fear she had of traveling to other countries to do mission work.  She gave a testimony of having to hike a mountain and literally speaking several Bible verses as she put one foot forward in front of the other – including the verse above.  Following the Friday evening session, my Sunday School teacher shared her same fear of traveling to other countries to do mission work.  What I realized is that I am not the only one who struggles with fear and that the enemy loves to capitalize on our fears to keep us from doing the things God has called us to do. 

I’m still learning to be available however God wants me to be.  I am learning to trust His lead – even when it is something I really do not want to do.  Tonight it is a speaking assignment.  Sunday it might be working in children’s ministry or filling in as a care group leader.   In a month or two it might be doing some type of local mission outreach.  And who knows, maybe in time it might be to do a short term mission trip to a foreign land.    My class is only going to get more difficult with longer and more complicated assignments. 

Maybe my testimony tonight will be an encouragement to someone else.  But I will never know if I am not willing to allow God to move me from my comfort zone.  I want to have that special joy that comes from the Lord when I choose to be obedient.   I pray today that I not allow fear to come in the way.

Dear Lord, I pray today for guidance and wisdom to go where You lead.  I want You to use me in the ways You have planned.  I don’t want to be disobedient or unwilling.   Please keep your words written on my heart so I can be reminded of the truth when fear comes calling.  In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen.

Sig Tag

8 thoughts on “Overcoming Fear”

  1. Janna

    Dana – I used to have the same fear that you do regarding speaking in public but now I do it all of the time. Remember that when you are speaking in a Christian group that they did not come to hear from you, they came to hear from God. You are just the mouthpiece. God will give you everything you need to deliver His message, you just need to show up.

  3. Linda

    Your testimony WILL be an encouragement to somebody. I think there is always something in any testimony to relate to. I applaud you for working on your fear of public speaking. It’s something I haven’t had the courage to do yet.

  4. Heather CHeather@mommymonk

    Satan does have a way of taking our fears and twisting us up in them. But God says that fear is cast out of perfect love. Remember He will be listening tonight too – and look into His eyes filled with perfect love as you speak. Praying for you tonight! It’s so exciting!

  5. Angie

    Dana–I am so there! The Lord is going to do great things through your life…your obedient and willing heart! You blessed me with this post!

  6. Frank S. Adamo

    Remember that Moses had his difficulty in speaking,

    “And Moses said to Jehovah, Ah Lord! I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since thou hast spoken to thy servant, for I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue.” Exodus 4:11. Yet he freed the slaves.

    I would suggest that if you and others want to transcend your fear, join Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org).

    I give workshops and teach classes on transcending one’s fear of speaking in public. Once you understand why you have the fear and how it effects you, you can then begin to transcend the fear. One thing I teach is to understand that fear is positive. Without fear, the human race would be extinct because fear is God’s way to prepare our body to fight or flight from danger. The body physically changes. The digestive system shuts down. Oxygen and energy (in the form or glucose) rushes into the muscles to prepare the body to fight/flight. The shaky knees and the trembling lips is a result of the body’s preparation. You may feel nauseated because the digestion shuts down.

    The very best to you for serving God and join a Toastmasters club near you to get the support to become confident in speaking. If you want to know more about Toastmasters or how to transcend your fear, visit my web site at http://www.fsadamo.com.

    Frank