Equipped with Power beyond Timidity

 

“ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid…”

—2 Timothy 1:7a

For someone who has had to speak to more than 300 different groups during my professional career, including one group of several thousand, I am actually painfully shy.

Yes, it’s also true that in virtually any kind of class I am likely to speak out all too boldly when I become frustrated with what’s being taught. Furthermore, it’s true that I am annoyingly confident about the knowledge I have regarding a wide variety of subjects.

Nevertheless, I remain painfully shy, especially in social situations. My most dreaded business event was the cocktail party.

For one thing, I do not drink alcoholic beverages. But, I have no scruples regarding those who do drink. Nor do I look down on people who do drink. I just have made it a practice to never drink alcoholic beverages and at age 68 I am very unlikely to change.

Secondly, I’m not at all good at “small talk” or, as I like to think of it, “conversational torture.” I am very interested in people and like to hear their stories. But, I am not a good “social conversationalist.”

Thirdly, I have virtually no interest in sports. I say “virtually,” because I do enjoy watching University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball. I became interested in that sport and that particular team because my wife had had one of the long-ago players as an elementary school music student.

You see, my father was not at all interested in sports, so I never caught the sports bug. As a teenager, I would much rather work on a piece of electronic equipment than watch sports on television. This lack of interest in sports means I have little to talk about with most other men.

All of these details represent my attempt to explain to you some of the nature of my painful shyness and timidity. Oddly, I have literally no nervousness in talking to a large group. And, I have no nervousness talking on the radio. I also, obviously, have no shyness about communicating with others in writing.

Just don't ask me to socialize with people unless I know them well or wish to get to know them. Oh, I can “fake it” for a little while. But, I’m almost always the first one to leave a party—that is presuming you can get me to attend that party in the first place.

With this background, imagine my surprise when I first read the Apostle Paul's words to his son-in-the-faith, Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7:

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Even though I’m painfully shy and, therefore, timid—particularly in social situations—I’m grateful that whatever inertia I have to rise above my timidity comes from God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God has equipped me with power beyond timidity.

Long ago I realized that all that I am and all that I have has come to me as a gift from God who loves me. And, boy, am I grateful!

This is true for you dear ones, too. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” God has equipped us with power beyond timidity.

Please join me in thanking God this day for the precious gift of His Holy Spirit.

 

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