DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP

Young, adults, we all have our respective fears. It doesn't matter how old or how young you are. There is always something that is stopping you from doing such things that maybe, until now, you still cannot overcome. I would like to share you my testimony. And maybe, this could help you to work out of it. 

I am an extremely shy person. I never wanted to be in a place that's crowded and full of people. I always feel like I'm suffocated whenever I'm in that kind of environment. I always wanted to spend my day all alone in my room like I was living only on my own. I can only find peace and comfort in my room. I always prefer to hide in the dark than to be seen by so many people. I know it’s weird but, I love and I enjoy being alone. But I cannot spend the rest of my life alone, in my room. I still need to step out of it and face the reality. 

People always got the wrong impression of me just because I don't talk much. I can't even say the words: 'excuse me', 'good morning ma'am!', 'good afternoon ma'am!'. No matter how much I've tried to do so, I still can't utter those words. So most of the times, people usually think I'm snobbish and rude. I'm afraid I can't show them that I am really not that kind of person. That I am nice, warm and loves to be their friend. 

The main reason I'm afraid to speak is because I am afraid of rejection. During those times when I was on the first grade, I tried to mingle with my classmates and did my best to join their circle of friends but they made fun of me instead. Ever since then, I never started to make the first move to make friends with other people because I'm afraid they might reject me. I always think and consider what other people might think of me. So sometimes, I have hidden the real me and have lived according to other people's expectations. But God teaches me not to live that way. I should not please other people but God.  

I wanted to make my life meaningful and productive but being afraid to speak what's on my mind is always stopping me. Because of this, I've wasted so many chances and opportunities in life. I remembered when I was thinking, what I can do for the Lord our God. I wanted to be a part of a ministry but I don't know what suits me. I can't be on the music ministry because I can't play any instruments. I can't be on the dancing ministry because I can't dance at all. And I can't join the singing ministry either because I'm too shy. So many invalid reasons that hinders me to serve the Lord. I decided, maybe I could share God's words to other people. So I started doing so with my little sister and cousins. At first, I don't have the confidence and I don't know how to start. So our first Bible study was kind of a failure, I think. So, I prayed to God to lead me and guide me. On that very moment, I opened my "Daily Bread" (a devotional book) and it says:

 "Jeremiah, I am your creator, and before you were born, I chose you to speak for the nations." I replied, "I am not a good speaker, Lord, and I'm too young." "Don't say you're too young," the Lord answered. "If I tell you to go speak to someone, then go! And when I tell you to say, don't leave out a word! I promise to be with you and keep you safe so don't be afraid. (Jeremiah 1:5-7)
 After reading this, it gave me a lot of confidence to speak God's words and truth to my little sisters and cousins. 

Don't be afraid to speak up. Never let other people even your fear to stop you from being who you are and what you want to be. God is always with us. If your motives are right, and you speak for the truth, then there's nothing to be afraid of. You have a loving God who loves you unconditionally and will never let anything to harm you. When fear strikes you always remember what is being said on Joshua 1:9 " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

I know God is the one who encouraged me to continue what I am doing. He never let my fear to brag me. Because His strength is made perfect in weakness. So hopefully, I can share His words with my classmates in school especially to people who doesn't believe that He exists.

DO NOT BE AFRAID FOR GOD IS WITH YOU.