I'm completely in awe of David. Not only did he dare to face a massive moose of a man probably twice his age and size, but he actually took the offensive and charged the guy with nothing more than a slingshot and a few stones.
We are all too familiar with this story and David's bravery is the focus in many Sunday School classes. But here's something about David that is not taught as often: A few years later, he ran for cover when Saul was trying to kill him.
Now THAT'S the David I can relate to!
Everyone has them, right? Giant fears that make our knees quiver, our hearts race, and our sweat glands work overtime.
According to selfhelpcollective.com, here is a list of the top 15 fears:
01. Fear of flying
02. Fear of public speaking
03. Fear of heights
04. Fear of the dark
05. Fear of intimacy
06. Fear of death, dying
07. Fear of failure
08. Fear of rejection
09. Fear of spiders
10. Fear of commitment
11. Fear of flowers
12. Fear of driving
13. Fear of dogs
14. Fear of dentists
15. Fear of snakes
Can't quite grasp the fear of flowers thing. Maybe because there might be a bee on one? I can understand that, as bees and wasps definitely top my fears. Other fears on the list that I can totally identify with are spiders, snakes, failure, and rejection.
Oh yeah. And public speaking.
They say that one way to overcome your fear is to face it head on. Believe me, I won't be looking a spider in the eye(s) any time soon (not on purpose, anyway. Shudder), but I will be facing my fear of public speaking. As I've mentioned in a recent post, I have agreed to teach a workshop at the FaithWriters conference in August. Anyone who knows me is gasping at the realization that I agreed to this. But wait. The shock doesn't end there. I have since agreed to teach TWO workshops.
I'll wait while you pick your jaw up off the floor.
It does help that I know a little bit about the topics I've agreed to speak on. But the thought of standing up in front of a room full of people is enough to send me on a run to the pharmacy for hive medication. Or a tranquilizer. Or both. And I'm sorry, but somehow I don't think imagining everyone in their underwear will work for me. Might make me throw up...
But, since I believe God is prompting me to do this (He has much more faith in me than I do), I am determined to make this a "David and Goliath moment" and not a "David and Saul moment."
I will not run for the hills or hide out in a cave. No way! Especially not when I have a cushy hotel room with a chain lock on the door to escape to.
The only good thing about the whole thing is that I still have six months to prepare.
So what about you? What fears are holding you back? Any you're ready to face?
10 comments:
Lynda,
Loved your post. I'm soooo proud of you. I know you will be a blessing to all those who hear you speak. Just think you have the opportunity to pour some of the blessings God has taught you along the way into someone else's life and give them a dose of courage to keep writing, keep submitting and write what God lays on their heart! OH MY.... As my husband says, "If that doesn't light a person's fire, their wood is wet!" When we 'pour' into another person's life, we become RICH!
LET THE POOR SAY I AM RICH BECAUSE OF WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US!
God is enlarging your writing territory! As my beloved Stubby the donkey would say, "Hee Hawlelujah!"
Great post, Lynda! I think it's wonderful that you're facing your fears head-on by agreeing to speak at a conference :)
I never would have guessed flowers would be on the list of greatest fears. I can be a coward at times (I'm scared of going to the doctor's, trusting people, snakes...), but I can't say I've ever screamed or fainted at the sight of a daisy or hibiscus ;) They do make me sneeze though, so I stay away from them!
Hi Lynda....Good luck at the conference! For me, one of my fears is to step out of working in the human services area in order to open up my own small used bookstore. I'd LOVE to give this a try but have way too much fear over it. I get the "what ifs." What if I fail? What if no customers come? What if people don't read used books anymore, with the internet, etc. Am I ready to face it? No. I'd love to give it a try but right now, I'm still too filled with fear. Thanks for the thoughts. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com
You're doing just as Joyce Meyer teaches, "do it afraid." He's called you, He's equipped you. You're going to do an awesome job, I'm certain of it.
This week God asked me to attempt something I've never had serious thoughts of doing, entering the FW Page Turner contest. I truly love encouraging others in this more than writing so it took a few confirmations to surrender. I'll be doing it afraid, for sure.
BTW, snakes #15? No way. Number one.
Julie - go for it! The Page Turner non-fiction is totally up your alley. Looking forward to hearing that you've hit "enter." :-)
Thanks to you other ladies for your encouragement!
You rock Lynda! Thanks for the encouragement. You'd better believe that we're all praying and cheering for you!
I'd take a public speaking gig over snakes, spiders and various scary creatures (fiction and non-fiction). Even put me in my underwear and I'd rather do that (now the audience is terrified). Used to be totally afraid of the dark, but now I actually take some comfort in it - maybe just because the dark is often quiet... :-)
You can do it!!!! Better yet, He'll do it through you.
Cheers to your up coming "David and Goliath" moment, Lynda. And enjoy the journey as you prepare.
A quote by Mary Manin Morrissey came into my thoughts: “You block your dream when you allow fear to grow bigger than your faith.”
Public speaking may not have been a dream, but possibly a dream for many others is to hear you speak!
I hope to be one of those that can one day, as well.
Blessings, Lynn
I am adding my kudos to you for facing one of your fears so realistically. And I want to recommend to you and all to do the Bible study by Bethy Moore called A Heart Like His about the life of David. I am just finishing it up, and loved it! Rose, who is not scared of the dark unless she hears unknown noises!
Hi
Firstly, so glad my list of fears has helped you create this stirring post about fear. I also was confused about the fear of flowers but somebody contacted me to explain that it's very much a real fear.
As to your very real fear - fear of public speaking, I share it too! And that's why I did a short stand up comedy course recently, to really challenge this fear which is really a fear of being judged (or fear of what others will think of you).
Anyway, big congratulations that you're facing this fear head on - very impressive. Think the fact that you're also going to teach two classes also will really help you gain some confidence in this area.
Steve
PS The comedy course suggested that if we did a live 7-minute stand up set - I have done this yet - that we should also schedule in live sets at 2 other places on subsequent nights, to *really* gain experience and confidence. Which is pretty much what you've also decided to do, it seems.
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