I remember the years I spent in fear of sharing my story with the world. One vivid memory I have was over two years ago on my second missions trip to Guatemala. Being asked to share my story to a group of people automatically brought tears to my eyes as a result of the fear of public speaking.
In signing up for The World Race I knew sooner or later I would be asked to share my story with a group of people. At launch I remember a former world racer sharing with us how it wasn’t until month eight of her race that she mustered up the courage to share her story. I took note to how likely that could be myself if I allowed my fear to hold me back from sharing some thing very impactful.
Public speaking has always been one of my biggest fears. The moment I stood up month four in India and was able to use the voice God has gave me to share His power in my life it gave me chills. Not chills of fear, but the chills of not even being able to recognize who I was in those moments of sharing. 2 Timothy 1:7 is quick to note that “God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” With this verse in mind I’m able to stand confident in the fact that when I feel fear to share my story, that that fear most certainly does not come from God.
While it did take me four months to finally stand up and share, the Lord has still taken me so far in this journey. During months one through three of not sharing, the Lord was simply walking me through the process of learning the power of my voice. Months four through seven, I was being taught how to stand up confidently and share with practice. Now month eight through the end of my lifetime I am able to stand in confidence of who I am and the power my story has to change lives. The fear has been removed.
In more ways than I can even see in this moment I have began to advocate for the sharing of each individual’s own story. We all have a story, and while I do understand the enemy tries to step in and place the spirit of fear within us the power of God is greater than the spirit of fear. In standing up and sharing your story you have the power to change the course of another individual’s life.
