I have a fear of public speaking! Many years ago, in a musty church basement with concrete block walls, I taught my first women’s Sunday school lesson. I was so nervous I cried the entire time. I am not talking about just a few tears – I sobbed uncontrollably. I felt humiliated after it was over and thought, “They will never ask me to do that again!” But guess what? They did ask me to teach again. This time I prayed “Lord, please give me control over my emotions. Do not let me weep uncontrollably as I teach.” Would you believe I did not cry at all, but my whole body and voice shook so hard my teeth chattered. Again, I was incredibly embarrassed, yet completely overcome in peace because I had faithfully obeyed God and faced my fear. But I was convinced they would not ask me to teach again. I think you know where I am going with this story. They did ask me to teach again and I could hardly speak because my mouth was as dry as a ten-day old biscuit.
