https://odb.org/MY/2023/02/13/when-hard-pressed
There are two ways to deal with fears : avoid and run away, or face them head-on. I guess the former is the natural option taken by most people. We have a fear, so we avoid. A simple thing like driving, which comes naturally to people who drive, will become a major burden and issue if we are or have become fearful of the road. No doubt we may have passed the driving test and have a valid driver’s licence, and yet we have not overcome our fear of driving, and thus, we are not able to drive on the highway with fast moving and heavy vehicles or in busy cities with lots of traffic. As we have avoided, we did not get the experience, and thus, we are not able to do so confidently, especially if we had gone through driving lessons years ago. The solution is actually to face our fears head-on, and if we have now forgotten, it’s time to take lessons again. There is no need to go through the tests, but a refresher course to reacquaint ourselves to driving again. The skill to drive is a necessity, especially if we need to deal with emergency situations. Face our fears and practice, and soon, we will be able to drive again.
Another example is public speaking, like giving a speech or preaching from the pulpit. I was particularly bad at this. My line of thought freezes. I will miss out on large chunks that I had wanted to say. While natural speakers will go on and on, I dread the time on the stand and always feel why it is taking so long to finish! Words don’t come naturally as I don’t have the gift of the gab. But the maxim, “practice makes perfect,” rings true here as the more we do it, the more confident we get. Although it will still not come naturally like those who can mutter thousands of words off the cuff, I’m now more confident and am more at ease. Preparation is key, and the more we prepare and internalise and practice, the better we will be.
As we have the Lord on our side as believers, we can look to Him for strength and guidance as we face our fears. If it’s due to a past traumatic experience, God can heal us. If it is due to a lack of natural talent, the Lord can help us in our preparation and help us manage our fears on stage, especially if His calling for us is to preach. Often, in preaching from the pulpit, a life transformed is the key to impactful and meaningful preaching. Somehow, the Holy Spirit works better in our midst if our lives are a living testimony of the goodness and reality of God.
The message this morning is to face our fears. Don’t run away and avoid. We need to take the leap of faith with God. If the baby eagle feared and did not take the first step to jump off the cliff and fly, it may remain forever perched on the high mountain, and the time may come when its body outgrows the strength of its wings. By then, if the grown eagile jumps, it may well jump to its death. Don’t be afraid. Move forward. The Lord is with us. Face our fears, whatever that may be, and we will overcome!
Ronnie's Thoughts 