Shift your perspective to deliver God's message boldly
Brace yourselves because Powerzone Ministries' daily devotionals are going to be all about overcoming FEAR! We know that fear can sometimes hold us back from living our best lives, but guess what? Get ready to be inspired, encouraged, and empowered every single day! We're here to support each other and remind ourselves that we are more than conquerors through Christ!
As Jesus assures us in Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
July 22, 2023 By Dr. George Bing
Today, we will continue our Daily devotional series on phobias, focusing specifically on social phobia. As a child, I personally experienced a great deal of timidity during my pre-adolescent years. Being around people made me extremely nervous, and in grade school, I used humor as a coping mechanism. Surprisingly, this not only helped me deal with my anxiety but also helped me gain acceptance from my classmates, plus my mother thought that I was funny! Looking back, I believe the Lord instilled this sense of humor in me, which I still rely on today, even in my Ministry. When the Lord called me to preach, I knew individually without His guidance that I wasn’t qualified at all. I lacked the confidence and knowledge of God's Word that I believed was necessary for such a role. Additionally, the mere thought of speaking in front of a group of strangers would make me tremble uncontrollably.
As I continued my journey in Ministry, I began to understand the true nature of social phobia. It is a condition that arises when an individual experiences intense anxiety and fear during social interactions. It is characterized by heightened self-consciousness and a constant feeling of embarrassment. Emotions can easily spiral out of control, and the desire for acceptance becomes overwhelming. For someone who was already nervous about speaking in general, the thought of being a public speaker seemed like an insurmountable challenge. However, when it comes to delivering the Word, one desires to be bold and confident. Reflecting on the life of Jesus, you will find comfort in knowing that He too faced rejection from those closest to Him, including His fellow Jews. As it is written in John 1:11, "He came to His own, and His own received Him not."
A crucial aspect of overcoming social phobia is to shift our perspective when it comes to delivering God's message. It is important to recognize that even if we are not called to be vocational preachers, we are all called to serve and bear witness to His Word. Whether we are preaching or simply sharing our faith, we must remember that it is not our own abilities or strength that we rely on, but rather the power of God working through us. As Jesus assures us in Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Understanding this truth allows us to approach the task of delivering God's message with confidence, knowing that it is His power and guidance that will equip us. We can trust that He will provide us with the words to say and the courage to overcome our fears. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can fulfill our calling to be witnesses for Christ, regardless of our social phobia or any other limitations we may perceive in ourselves. What are your thoughts?
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