The main fear that comes to mind is public speaking. I remember, way back in 1980, shortly after I committed my life to Christ, someone asked me if I’d like to share my testimony with the congregation. I declined, saying that I was too nervous to speak in public.
Anyway, some months later, I was baptized, and I was so full of joy that I volunteered to speak at an Open-Air meeting. This happened at Cork Baptist Church, and our Open-Air meeting was a Sunday Night event that we used to hold outside Cudmore’s in Winthrop Street, Cork. I don’t think that I was totally free of fear, because I was singing Because He Lives to myself to ease my fear🙂. Shortly after, I preached a full sermon at the YMCA in Marlboro Street Cork, and I have spoken in church meetings quite a lot over the years.
The thing is, with public speaking, because I feel nervous, I think the fight/flight response kicks in, so you can end up coming across as being far more confident and skilled than you actually are. Your body pulls out all the stops. But many years later, I was speaking on the Prodigal Son one night in Limerick, and I felt very strange and inhibited. And, I think that what happened then was that same adrenaline rush kicked in, but it can have different effects at various points in your life. You can also get the freeze response, which can make you feel like you’re heading for a panic attack. And stresses in work etc. can cause the body to exhibit weird anxiety symptoms. For some, sadly, this is a serious disorder. For others, it’s only occasional. But I would think that many, or most, people might go through little phases where they are more prone to such symptoms, just as you might go through a phase where your knee or shoulder is painful.
To overcome my fear, I just carried on speaking, but I must admit that I’d probably restrict myself to friendly congregations where I could shorten my talk without any repercussions. As a listener, I’m a great fan of short sermons 🙂.
For anyone who has specific fears, I would say, don’t see it as a weird thing. That’s just the way we are as humans, and I don’t imagine many people go through life without some physical or mental challenges. I don’t even think that you always need to conquer your fear. It depends on what the fear is. If it’s doctors or dentists, then it is wise not to allow your fears to prevent you from addressing your medical needs. But if it’s becoming a lion tamer, well, maybe it’s OK not to bother 🙂.
From a spiritual point of view, I don’t think there’s necessarily a direct spiritual fix for fears. It’s a bodily reaction. Drawing comfort from Scripture won’t necessarily make a specific phobia disappear, but it might help you to cope with it. And the great thing is that such things do sometimes diminish or disappear over time.
When I was younger, I read all sorts of Christian books on counselling etc. but nowadays, I have a lot of confidence in simple secular books. I enjoy the For Dummies books. And the Web is full of advice on mental wellbeing. It almost feels too much at times, but it’s good to have the information when you need it.
And when your read the Bible, you quickly discover that fear of speaking is nothing new. Think of Moses:
Exodus 4:10-12
10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
And Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 1:6-8
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
And Timothy in the New Testament:
2 Timothy 1:6-7
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Now, perhaps they had more reason to fear, because they had a risk of being murdered at times. However, whatever the reason for our fear, it’s always good to draw near to God for help. He might not answer right away, or in the way that we expect, but anything that strengthens our relationship with God is a good thing.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 34:4-5
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
And the most important thing is that if we believe in Jesus, we have nothing to fear in the next life, whatever happens to us in this life. Our priority should be to be right with God. In the hymn Because He Lives, when it says “all fear is gone”, I think that it means that all fear relating to death and what comes after is gone. But the hymn always eases my mundane fears too because it reminds me that God is in control of my life.
Matt 10:27-29
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Let’s close with some songs, including Stand by Me by John Lennon, Take My Hand Precious Lord, by Elvis, and Because He Lives.
What’s Stand by Me doing there? That’s not a Christian song! But it was inspired by a spiritual written by Sam Cooke and J. W. Alexander called “Stand by Me Father”. And if you replace the Darling with Father in Stand by Me, you can convert it to a Christian song 🙂.
Hibernia Gospel 