Shyness

[MidnightsPaleGlow]

Any advice or scripture on overcoming shyness? I've dealt with shyness for a long time in my life and if we are to go out and reach souls for Christ, being shy and freezing up when the moment comes can prove to be disastrous and embarrassing.

[Sold Out]

Any advice or scripture on overcoming shyness? I've dealt with shyness for a long time in my life and if we are to go out and reach souls for Christ, being shy and freezing up when the moment comes can prove to be disastrous and embarrassing.

Awww....so sweet!

First, realize that the power to witness comes from the Holy Spirit. Always pray everyday that the Holy Spirit will prepare you for a witnessing situation. He will speak through you!

"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." I Thes 1:5

There have been times that I witnessed to someone and I honestly don't know where the words came from! The Holy Spirit just took over and used me to communicate the gospel.

Also, witnessing isn't necessarily easy for an outgoing person either. Like anything else, it just takes practice. Our church does a soul-winning class, and you get to role-play with someone to get familiar with sharing the gospel. I typed up a short cheat sheet and laminated it, to keep with me when I witness. I put key scriptures and points on there so I won't be completely lost. Something I would suggest is that you go out witnessing with an experienced person and observe when they share the gospel. That helps alot. I got to sit in a few times when my pastor presented the gospel to someone and I learned so much from that.

[CoffeeCat]

I have the same problem. I can freeze up when talking to a stranger (or even a close friend!) about Christ. Shyness, or more an introvertedness, creeps in... with, I'll be honest, a slight concern: "what if they really don't want to hear this?" I think that's a common concern though. It's harder for shy or more introverted people to talk about controversial subjects in public, and what's more controversial than saying Jesus is the only way to God, the only way to be saved? It's a personal challenge I've been praying on and working on daily. So MidnightsPaleGlow, I do understand you. :hug:

Shyness takes a while to 'work through'. Here are a few tips from someone who's battled 'public shyness' for a while:
- pretend you're not shy. Act. People can't tell the difference. When I need to do a presentation, a talk, teach a lesson, whatever.... I can get out my drama skills and jump in and just ride it.... even if I'm scared or shy or nervous or just plain jittery. The same way, when we go up to someone to talk.... we can just think 'alright, here we go' and jump in. After a while, it stops being just acting for us... and we actually get used to jumping in and talking to strangers (or the people we love) about important subjects!
- if you're nervous, smile. Rather than looking worried (which nervousness tends to do to our face!) a smile is another natural thing we can do with our face!
- like SoldOut said, bring a reference with you! Either something handy to consult, or your Bible -- anything. And going out with someone more experienced is a GREAT idea.
- try a trick I learned: enter a conversation about faith through a back door. Start by talking about something you might have common ground in. Here's an example. I was on the bus last week, talking to a gentleman who'd lived here his entire life. I started discussing all the unusual, neat architecture and buildings here, some of which he said he'd helped build! Then I was able to point to the church I'm going to, tell him that was my church, and I pointed out how neat the roof on it is (it genuinely looks awesome). From there, I was able to ask him if he attended a local church, and we got into a great discussion about beliefs and Christianity. It's what I call a "friendly back door" conversation. It's usually spontaneous... just find SOMETHING to gab about, and you can make a connection :)

I'll be praying for you and for the rest of us that struggle with shyness and stumbling over what we say when we witness. :hug:

[turtledove]

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matt 17:20-21

I think this applies to shyness. The Holy Spirit (in us) operating through the gift of faith can overcome this tendency to be shy and hold back.

We can ask to be enabled to witness without fear and without our faith faltering.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

If we ask and seek to be instruments in the hands of the Lord I believe He will use us to witness as He directs and empowers by the Holy Spirit.

peace and blessings,

owl

[baxpack7]

I would also like to offer up this:

You may also find that you don't have the gift of gab like others do. Perhaps your gift is a gift of ministering through singing, or on the internet, or teaching. Lots of Christians have a problem with overcoming shyness enough to where they can go anywhere and tell someone about Jesus. My biggest gift is as a teacher of youth, with other gifts including, but not limited to music and sports. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you can't witness to someone just out of the blue-on the contrary. I think that when the opportunity presents itself, and you prepare yourself with prayer, then God Himself will give you the right words to say without being nervous or shy. Keeping a couple of your favorite bible verses on hand could go a long way towards attaining your goal of effective witnessing.

I hope that this has been helpful to you, and that you have a God-blessed day!!!:)

[Mograce2U]

Any advice or scripture on overcoming shyness? I've dealt with shyness for a long time in my life and if we are to go out and reach souls for Christ, being shy and freezing up when the moment comes can prove to be disastrous and embarrassing.I would say the key is to know your subject inside and out. That subject being Jesus. If your knowledge of Him is firmly established in the record we have been given, then you needn't worry about that and can focus on what your subjects are saying. Giving a defense is only being ready to give a reason for the hope that you have. If you know that hope without a doubt, you will find your voice when the time comes. Talking about Who you know is a compelling witness and that is all you need to be prepared to speak about Him.