For much of my life I have been shackled to fear....fear of meeting new people, fear of new situations, fear of the unknown. That has resulted in my being an introvert who is painfully shy. When I was much younger, I feared meeting new people and taking risks. In college I somewhat grew out of that, but I remained painfully shy. There are ghosts associated with that, of course---ghosts that shall remain just that---at least for now.
People who know me now can not believe it when I tell them I am an introvert or how shy I actually am. That is because I am basically two people. At work, I am a take-charge person who is competitive and doesn't tolerate foolishness. This stems from my self-confidence with my profession; I am good at what I do---not perfect---but good, highly competent and highly qualified.
Outside of work, I am the introvert who struggles around others. God is helping me in that area, though. I believe He is leading me to focus on this area this year as I start a new venture and branch out to seek to be more like Him. Because in being more like Him, I must overcome fear.
These verses encouraging courage are going to be my touchstone:
John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as
the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid."
Psalm 27:1: "The Lord is my light and my salvation---whom shall I fear? The Lord
is the stronghold of my life---of whom shall I be afraid?"
Isaiah 41:13: "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and
says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'"
And my favorite: 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness;
but of power and love and discipline."
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