“Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you.” Jeremiah 1:8 NKJV
“You would not worry what others think of you, if you realized how seldom they do.”
My thoughts today are about “fear of people.”
Did you know that the second most common fear is the fear of public speaking – an often-paralyzing fear of being in front of a crowd of people? Some people are uncomfortable enough to avoid many social activities because of their insecurity. Any fear is limiting. Fear can restrict what you do, where you go, what you attempt and achieve, forming new friendships – a few of so many ways that fear can control you, making your life feel smaller and less enjoyable. The Bible simply says, “Fear involves torment . . “ 1 John 4:18 NKJV.
Have you ever noticed how much more comfortable you are with people that you know than when meeting someone unfamiliar to you? I confess that is true of me. I am friendly, but not as comfortable as I wish that I were. In church settings, I observe that people in a larger crowd always seem to do what is most natural and comfortable to them; they soon huddle with the people they already know. I guess it is only natural for most of us to do that.
But the answer is not found in avoiding the discomfort of such situations; the better answer is facing them and overcoming your nervousness about doing so. In some measure, almost anyone can be anxious initially with people unfamiliar to them. When that limits your doing and being what God has for you, the Bible describes that as being “afraid of their faces.” That can make you appear less to others than you really are or behave differently than you wish. That is a sure way to limit your happiness in life and success.
God’s assurance to Jeremiah was out of concern that such a fear would prevent Jeremiah from doing what God wanted him to do and going where God wanted to send him. See Jeremiah 1:9-10 NKJV. Would that be a similar concern that God might have for you; He does not want you to allow anything that would preempt your willingness to obey His direction and confidently accomplish His purpose for your life.
What other people think or say, and your worries about those, can easily do exactly that. The Bible warns, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare.” Proverbs 29:25 NIV. It is easy to become too conscious of what you think that other people think about you. Though everyone is and should be self-conscious to some degree, that is an unhealthy self-consciousness. What you are willing to do to overcome that is what will make you different from others who continue to indulge themselves to their own loss. Live everyday with this confidence, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 NIV.
I read this statement many years ago, and have found it to be true. I think you will too. “You would not worry so much what others think of you, if you realized how seldom they do!”
My prayer for you today is to welcome God’s blessing of others into your life.