Stage Fright
STAGE FRIGHT
Read Exodus 4:10-15.
Kira could hardly believe the assignment. “We’re going to give speeches next week,” said Ms. Davis. “Pick a topic and be ready to talk about it for three minutes.”
After class Kira approached Ms. Davis. “Please don’t make me give a speech,” she pleaded. “I just can’t talk in front of people!”
Her teacher smiled. “Part of being a good speaker is learning to forget about yourself and to concentrate on your topic. Don’t worry about what others will think. You’ll do fine.”
During the next few days Kira often thought and prayed about her speech. When her turn finally came, she swallowed hard and walked to the front of the room. “My topic,” she said in a squeaky voice, “is stage fright. It’s something I really feel like an expert on.” The kids smiled, and Kira began to feel better. She talked about the causes of stage fright and about some famous people who had problems with it. Then she said, “A verse in the Bible that has helped me this week is Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.’”
As Kira went back to her seat, she thought, That wasn’t so bad after all. I know God helped me!
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does talking in front of people make you nervous? Some people are more shy than others. But it will help if you are honest about your nervousness and if you stop worrying about what others will think of you. Pick a subject that’s important to you, and use the opportunity as a witness to God’s help and power. If He wants you to speak, He will help you find the words to say.
TO MEMORIZE:
Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.
Exodus 4:12
GOD HELPS HIS CHILDREN.
From the book
