What’s a fear you’ve overcome — and how did you do it?

My greatest fear that I have overcome is the fear of public speaking. I guess this is similar to most people.

I can remember being in primary school and being terrified of reading aloud in class. On days I had to do a talk I would take the day off school.

As an adult I would do everything I could to avoid public speaking. Even small things like doing a brief introduction of who you are in a training course terrified me.

I can remember in the early 1990s a friend asked me to be best man at his wedding. Rather than seeing it as an honour, my first thought was I will have to make a speech! 

So how did I overcome this? Here are a few things helped me.

1. I prepared early and wrote everything I had to say out word for word.
2. I practiced even the smallest talk or reading about 100 times. Not exaggerating!
3. I prayed a lot. My biggest prayer was, “Please be with me Lord and please help me Lord”.
4. I wrote out scriptures and put them in my pocket. At every chance I would read them.
5. I got books from the library to help. These days you can look online for help on making speeches.
6. I asked for tips from people who were good public speakers. I spoke to Pastors and teachers.
7. I realised that public speaking is a great way to reach and encourage people towards God.
8. I looked for opportunities to speak publicly and overcome my fear. This was very very scary!

This process probably took about ten years to feel comfortable with speaking in front of others. It was a long hard road for me, but it was worth it.

So what were the main verses I kept in my pocket? 

Philippians 4:13 NLT – For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT – For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.