Here’s a statement that I take to be true. My wife says I talk too much sometimes. I tell too much, too. My contention is that in sharing what I feel, I reveal myself in a way that connects with others who may be experiencing similar thoughts and situations. It’s to let others know they are not alone in their daily motions. As a Chaplain, I’ve learned how easily it is to talk to people. When I was growing up, I was very shy until I got to know someone.

In an earlier time in school, my class had a play that involved singing. I was asked to sing a song to my girlfriend at the time. It was the 7th grade. There was no way I was going to do that. It really hurt me that another guy in the class did it in my place. Fear of crowds was not something I would overcome for several more years.

I failed U.S. History and English in high school because I was deathly afraid of standing in front of a class and giving an oral report from an assignment in history class. Mr. Ragland graded them for content. Then he turned all the oral reports over to the English teacher, most likely Mrs. Galloway. She graded them for composition. Since I didn’t write the report, I failed on both counts.

Moving on to my late 20s, I knew I was to become a minister. I was asked to minister one Sunday evening. I was determined to do it, but fear was prevalent. Before the service, I was in the prayer room with others. While praying, God spoke to me. He stated to me that He knew I was good in one-on-one conversations. I had to agree that it was so. He then said something that made me laugh. He said when I go out there and stand in front of everyone, that I should remember that all those people comprise the body of Christ as one man. In essence, I was in a one-on-one conversation. From that statement, I walked into the sanctuary and ministered for almost an hour. The title of my message was God Is Building a House. I’ll never forget it. I’ve never been afraid of standing in front of people since that night.

Perhaps this may help someone, perhaps not. Just know that something paralyzing to me may be something someone else can overcome, from what I learned. I think a good bit of my fear was lost by knowing that when God speaks to me it gives me the boldness to repeat it to others. It matters not if it’s one person or a hundred people.

I’ve had people tell me after I have spoken at times that I should have said it this way or that or added something that sparked in them. The point is it doesn’t matter. What they are telling me is that they saw another facet or God spoke to them personally about something I said that was meant for them to consider for themselves. That is the endpoint of my having said what I said. Then I know someone was listening and got an expansion on what they heard. Good for them. Now I have no fear to speak. Now I understand.