Overcoming Shyness I am a 16-year-old girl who used to be extremely shy. I attend a relatively small church, and in church, I was usually just a spectator. I would never participate or worship God. The most I would do is clap, and even that was pushing limits for me. I was more than just quiet. I was silent. I would not say a word to anyone when I was much younger. I would just smile when people talked to me. I would never answer them. I would nod my head when it was necessary when they asked me a question. I was so shy I wouldn’t even talk to my Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. Most of them never even knew what my speaking voice sounded like. My mom, dad, and brother were the only ones who knew how much I talked, and when I got home, I did talk a lot to them. As time passed, I slowly started to open up. I never even got close to being talkative, but I would at least talk. When I did begin to talk my voice was very quiet and to some people, it seemed inaudible. Many nights I cried and asked God to free me from my fear and shyness. I thought it had such a strong grip on me.
Living a Double Life of Sin I remember in Sunday School, every time the lesson of the day was about the Book of Revelations, it always grabbed my attention. I was in fear of the Book of Revelations. Then, one day when I was 12-13, my Sunday school led me into prayer. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, and I remember the feeling of the heavy burden lifted off my shoulders. It was a huge weight. I recalled a dream I had, possibly when I was younger than 12. In it, the face of God lit up in the night sky above my front yard. The image of his face, down to his nose, mouth, and everything that reflects a face, was outlined in fire, and he gave me some sort of vase to hold on to. It was an honour, but at the same time, I felt as if I should not have been given that responsibility. In that dream, I ended up breaking it in my hands. This is the insecurity I always had. I felt more like a follower and not a leader. I am not good at leading nor should be given a heavy responsibility as I would end up disappointing someone that trusted me. I would look as a complete con and people
