Is social awkwardness something to be cured, and would God want to or is it like Paul's thorn in his side?

[SpiritSong]

Exactly what the title says, lol.

But seriously, all thoughts welcome.

[farouk]

@SpiritSong Well............

If there is no one to pray and read the Scriptures with, then doing this on one's own is a blessing.

If there are others to pray and read the Scriptures with, then Acts 2.42 activities are a blessing.

(Even when done with others, doing them on one's own also is essential....)

[NConly]

Not sure how many forms it comes in. I think  one form can not.

[SpiritSong]

1 minute ago, NConly said:

19 minutes ago, farouk said:

@SpiritSong Well............

If there is no one to pray and read the Scriptures with, then doing this on one's own is a blessing.

If there are others to pray and read the Scriptures with, then Acts 2.42 activities are a blessing.

(Even when done with others, doing them on one's own also is essential....)

 

Thank you Farouk

[farouk]

15 minutes ago, SpiritSong said:

Thank you Farouk

YW, @SpiritSong ; good thread........

[Marathoner]

Awkwardness isn't something that is cured, @SpiritSong. It's overcome instead. 

A complex web of fear and introspection lies at the heart of such a thing and there's only one way to overcome those bonds: face those fears no matter how terrible they might seem. That's the definition of courage, yes? The resolve to face fear thereby overcoming it. 

I write from experience. Now, we are not expected to find ourselves at the opposite pole of inhibition; a measure of inhibition is characteristic of self-control. The utter lack of inhibition isn't a good thing.

I overcame that awkwardness by forcing myself to be in close proximity to other people. Did I feel like an idiot? Yep. A goofball? For sure. In fact, I accidentally discovered a talent for comedy along the way. I compensated for my ineptitude through entertaining others by simply being my goofy self. No act needed.

Horror of horrors, that's how I also discovered that I was a natural at public speaking! The first time I addressed a large crowd, it was so amazingly easy. Afterward, it dawned on me:

I wasn't dwelling upon myself. I was too busy serving others and their needs to notice myself. Serving the Lord is all about serving others, my friend. This is how we dare to cast off the chains of unhealthy self-obsession. First, we fixate our heart and mind upon the Son of God. Then, we look around us, seeking a need requiring our service. 

We overcome the fear. 

[SpiritSong]

6 hours ago, Marathoner said:

Awkwardness isn't something that is cured, @SpiritSong. It's overcome instead. 

A complex web of fear and introspection lies at the heart of such a thing and there's only one way to overcome those bonds: face those fears no matter how terrible they might seem. That's the definition of courage, yes? The resolve to face fear thereby overcoming it. 

I write from experience. Now, we are not expected to find ourselves at the opposite pole of inhibition; a measure of inhibition is characteristic of self-control. The utter lack of inhibition isn't a good thing.

I overcame that awkwardness by forcing myself to be in close proximity to other people. Did I feel like an idiot? Yep. A goofball? For sure. In fact, I accidentally discovered a talent for comedy along the way. I compensated for my ineptitude through entertaining others by simply being my goofy self. No act needed.

Horror of horrors, that's how I also discovered that I was a natural at public speaking! The first time I addressed a large crowd, it was so amazingly easy. Afterward, it dawned on me:

I wasn't dwelling upon myself. I was too busy serving others and their needs to notice myself. Serving the Lord is all about serving others, my friend. This is how we dare to cast off the chains of unhealthy self-obsession. First, we fixate our heart and mind upon the Son of God. Then, we look around us, seeking a need requiring our service. 

We overcome the fear. 

Thank you for your reply

I don't know if it's the fear as such, as I just have to get on with speaking one to one, a group or getting up on a platform on a rare occasion, it's just the inner discomfort and lack of confidence. I would never dream that I was obsessed with myself, I'm not that important. I do want to serve others, but my lack of social skills simply gets in the way 

I make no assumptions, just observations.

Maybe the root is fear. Either way it would be nice to not have to deal with it quite so intensely.

 

[SpiritSong]

14 hours ago, NConly said:

Not sure how many forms it comes in. I think  one form can not.

Can you explain a bit more?

[Debp]

4 minutes ago, SpiritSong said:

Thank you for your reply

I don't know if it's the fear as such, as I just have to get on with speaking one to one, a group or getting up on a platform on a rare occasion, it's just the inner discomfort and lack of confidence. I would never dream that I was obsessed with myself, I'm not that important. I do want to serve others, but my lack of social skills simply gets in the way 

I make no assumptions, just observations.

Maybe the root is fear. Either way it would be nice to not have to deal with it quite so intensely.

 

Do you have a particular interest?   For example, if you like animals, try volunteering at a shelter or rescue facility.   This would help you to forget your anxieties and work with others more easily.

Any interest that would help you to forget yourself would help I think.

Also, remember to be friendly as others often need that as well.   And just ask questions.   They will often enjoy someone who is willing to listen to them.

[SpiritSong]

37 minutes ago, Debp said:

Do you have a particular interest?   For example, if you like animals, try volunteering at a shelter or rescue facility.   This would help you to forget your anxieties and work with others more easily.

Any interest that would help you to forget yourself would help I think.

Also, remember to be friendly as others often need that as well.   And just ask questions.   They will often enjoy someone who is willing to listen to them.

Thank you Depb.

I do try to engage in my interests, and I do put myself out there to talk to others, as it's pretty much unavoidable in life in general. My question was: is social anxiety/awkwardness something God can cure us of, or take away or am I stuck with it. I'd rather not be, that's all, lol...