Social Anxiety

[Deepblue]

It comes and goes with me, but I wish it would go for good. I don't know if this is a thorn that will never be removed, but it's very hard to deal with. I can speak to people one on one just fine, but when I have to get in groups in school, or speak in front of people, it becomes really...really bad. I want to pursue a career that involves speaking in front of students...as a teacher. I don't want to let this weakness get in my way. I have time to reverse this, but I wonder where I should start?

[wyguy]

Try practicing in front of family members until you get the hang of public speaking.

At least you can throw something at them if they laugh and not worry about going to jail afterward.

[nebula]

Hey Deepblue -

I'm an introvert, too. And I still struggle with shyness. It took me about 8 years after graduating college to get the the place I felt confident in myself enough to handle managing a classroom to pursue such a career.

I don't mean to scare you by that.

My point is that overcoming the anxiety is about feeling confident in yourself and in practice.

The more you talk in front of people, the easier it gets.

Maybe you can join the drama club and get involved in acting or something? That could help, perhaps.

But it really takes overcoming self insecurity, and unfortunately, there are no easy answers for overcoming that. But it is something to begin seeking the Lord about.

[Believer1997]

Try practicing in front of family members until you get the hang of public speaking.

At least you can throw something at them if they laugh and not worry about going to jail afterward.

Uh... speeches to my family have been some of the hardest ... I have had to address large groups of people professionally and I'd rather stand in front of an audience of strangers than people I know...

[wyguy]

Try practicing in front of family members until you get the hang of public speaking.

At least you can throw something at them if they laugh and not worry about going to jail afterward.

Uh... speeches to my family have been some of the hardest ... I have had to address large groups of people professionally and I'd rather stand in front of an audience of strangers than people I know...

Sissy.

[Believer1997]

Try practicing in front of family members until you get the hang of public speaking.

At least you can throw something at them if they laugh and not worry about going to jail afterward.

Uh... speeches to my family have been some of the hardest ... I have had to address large groups of people professionally and I'd rather stand in front of an audience of strangers than people I know...

Sissy.

Am NOT!! The people I'm related to - are a tough audience.... tough.

[wyguy]

Try practicing in front of family members until you get the hang of public speaking.

At least you can throw something at them if they laugh and not worry about going to jail afterward.

Uh... speeches to my family have been some of the hardest ... I have had to address large groups of people professionally and I'd rather stand in front of an audience of strangers than people I know...

Sissy.

Am NOT!! The people I'm related to - are a tough audience.... tough.

Whatever you say, Pollyanna.

[Believer1997]

Try practicing in front of family members until you get the hang of public speaking.

At least you can throw something at them if they laugh and not worry about going to jail afterward.

Uh... speeches to my family have been some of the hardest ... I have had to address large groups of people professionally and I'd rather stand in front of an audience of strangers than people I know...

Sissy.

Am NOT!! The people I'm related to - are a tough audience.... tough.

Whatever you say, Pollyanna.

Oh... that DOES it!!! You wait ...you just watch over your shoulder.........

[Blien]

It comes and goes with me, but I wish it would go for good. I don't know if this is a thorn that will never be removed, but it's very hard to deal with. I can speak to people one on one just fine, but when I have to get in groups in school, or speak in front of people, it becomes really...really bad. I want to pursue a career that involves speaking in front of students...as a teacher. I don't want to let this weakness get in my way. I have time to reverse this, but I wonder where I should start?

Don't worry, God will take care of it. Just pray. I'll pray for you too right now that He gives you all boldness. He's helped me get over it too... God Bless You.

Jeremiah 17:7

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."

Acts 4:24-31

When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?

Why did they waste their time with futile plans?

The kings of the earth prepared for battle;

the rulers gathered together

against the Lord

and against his Messiah.’

“In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Proverbs 28:1

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.

[mulling]

hello,

I belive that all our fears stem from the root of rejection and performance based acceptance. I too had these fears. I lived as a child who was rejected and abused, who withdrew into a fortress shielded by my own fears of being rejected again. When I was called by Christ on the streets of america. God new my fears and gave me the gifts of worship, teaching, preaching and evangelism. I was very very intraverted. But what Christ helped me see is, my love for him was greater than my love for what people thought of me. I had already lived a life of believing what I perceived of what people thought of me. He showed me what I though they thought of me, really was how I saw myself. He showed me that if I do all things through my greatfulness for what he did for me then it didn't matter what others thought of me. It only matters what he thinks. You see perfect love drives out fear, and replaces it with his assurance of me. He was the most rejected person on earth, even his own desciples, but he stayed focused on his knowing of how much he loved his father and how much his father loved him. Christ has shown me that I can use what I feel more comfortable talking and singing in front of people is in his words. So if you are going to teach ask Christ to help you inccorperate everyday conversations and topics into biblical principles and you will find that teaching becomes natural as your faith. I hope this has helped

In Christ name

James