Step to the Podium of Life

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I remember a public speaking class I took while in college over 20 years ago. The course was going to help me get over the fear of talking in front of people. I was so determined that on the first day of class, I told the professor, “I’m going to make an A in your class, and you’re going to challenge me like no other!” She looked at me with a smile and said, “Challenge you, I will!”

My first speech was on the importance of laughter. I knocked it out of the park. The professor then challenged me for my next speech to share something more personal. I shared about Jesus. I remember stepping to the podiumβ€”my heart full and thoughts clear. “Some of us are walking around covering our lights,” I started. “We don’t want to stand out; we’re just blending in, hoping no one sees that we are a Christian.” As I spoke, I saw a mixture of smiles, teary eyes, angry looks, and blank stares. I continued to share what I believed God wanted me to say and then sat down. After class, one by one, students came to me and thanked me.

I thought I had a fear of speaking in front of people, but I soon learned that those fears were false. I discovered the real me enjoys communicating and connecting with people. The real me is not afraid to speak.

Every fear in your life was either learned by experiences or placed on you by others’ projected fears. But they are not who you are. The real you is amazing, beautiful, and confident. My sister, you are who God said you are. I challenge you to begin to confront every fear. Discover the real you β€” step to the podium of life with a full heart and a clear mind. Say what the Lord has given you to say, and don’t hold back.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for speaking to my heart. I pray that you help me to face the fears that have been plaguing me. Help me step to the podium of life and say what you give me to say and do what you’ve called me to do, with a full heart and a clear mind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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21 thoughts on “Step to the Podium of Life”

  1. My sister you are blessed, may the good Lord continue to use you in a mighty way in Jesus Christ name. Keisha you are above and not beneath in Jesus Christ name. Your devotionals speaks the heart of God so mightily. You are blessed. Thanks for being obedient to God, may the Lord God Almighty enlarge your territory in Jesus Christ name.

  2. In some circumstances i get so motivated and encouraged by the Word and feel as brave as a lion but in others i avoid, like a mouse, trying to justify the avoidance in my head. Socialization may have played a role, but I thank God for what He is doing in and through me and showing me His strength is made perfect in weakness! And He does the same for all of you reading, as long as we let His Spirit in. Thanks for the reminder that we can step up to the podium as He leads.
    Have a Sensational Sunday ladies❀

    1. When I read your Beautiful words. I can feel them! I feel like you are talking to me! I appreciate you in so many ways! Thank you for sharing your Beautiful spoken words with us!!

    2. This is such an awesome read. Your college day story is so encouraging. May we each fulfill our call in Gods Kingdom.
      MaryG

  3. Glory to God as I was reading this devotion before I got to part about laughing and smiling I was already smiling is reading and I say glory to God speaking and removing that fear as God leads me in speaking what God has put on my heart to speak glory to God hallelujah hallelujah thank you Holy Spirit for speaking to my heart Thank you Jesus ❀❀

  4. I confront every fear in my life right now in the name of Jesus. Lord I thank you that your word said you have not given me the spirit of fear BUT of love and of a sound mind, so therefore I declare that I’m no longer a slave to fear for I am a child of God. I can do what God says I can do..I can be who God says I can be….I am the head and not the tail..I am a leader and not a follower…I am victorious…I am more than a conqueror in Jesus mighty mighty name..Amen

  5. Blessings on you woman of God. I pray that the Lord continue to use you tremendously and may he always put a word in your mouth to speak to his people. May you experience a double portion of his anointing from the crown of your head to the sole of your feet in Jesus powerful name…Amen

  6. Amen, I have become a speaker of sexual Assault. I’ve spoken in front of a small church before . I read off of paper because I loose thought of what I say. I guess that’s ok. Pray for me.πŸ™πŸΎβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œ

  7. Heavenly Father let Your will be done in my life πŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ remove all doubt and fearπŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ Lord, help me discover my full potentials, that You have designed for my lifeπŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ Don’t allow fear to block me from my blessing and from being a blessing to other. πŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ Help me to be confident in myselfπŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ Lord, guide and direct me πŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ You are in me, and I am in You πŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ that makes be FEARLESS πŸ™ŒπŸ½πŸ˜“πŸ™πŸ½ IAM a OVERCOMERπŸ˜“πŸ™πŸ½ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me πŸ’ͺ🏽 Hallelujah PRAISE God πŸ˜“πŸ™πŸ½ I will not allow the devil to try in place fear in my life, to keep me from moving forward and becoming stagnated πŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ I don’t want to be stuck in fear, hopeless, afraid to make a move, because I am scared, because I have allowed there to be fear in my heart, fear in my mind, and fear I will make a mistakeπŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ I want to be bold in GodπŸ™πŸ½πŸ˜“ God has not place fear in my spiritπŸ™ŒπŸ½πŸ˜“πŸ™πŸ½ Let me do what you have placed in my life, with a full heart and a clear mindπŸ™ŒπŸ½πŸ˜“πŸ™πŸ½ these are the things I pray for, in Jesus name AMEN AND AMEN πŸ™ŒπŸ½β€οΈπŸ™πŸ½β€οΈ

    1. That was a beautiful and powerful πŸ™… I πŸ™ the Lord keep me on the right path. Sometimes I get a little weary and fall.. But I πŸ’– πŸ’– him for always being their to pick me up,, knowing I’m his child. And placing me back on the right path … I πŸ™ I can become stronger in his word , and do unto his will more. πŸ™AMEN

  8. As I was reading this devotional, it actually relates to the assignment given to me and other colleagues to present a presentation next month in front of entire audience. This devotional came at the time I need it for inspiration! Thank you for letting God use you!

  9. As I was reading this devotional, it actually relates to the assignment given to me and other colleagues to present a presentation next month in front of entire audience. This devotional came at the time I need it for inspiration! Thank you for letting God use you!

  10. My blessed sister, thank you for your written gift. The Creator is calling all HIS messengers to begin their assignments. You are unlocking gifts that they my take form. Thank you for allowing my tears to flow and freeing me up – I receive your message. May you continue a beautiful good thing and receive all that you need to continue onward on all platforms.

  11. Hello my Sisters/Daugthers of The Most High King I No again this is a few Days late and No1 May see it but just in case someone May look back and see it I just wanted to share the fix I have a fear of singing in front of the Church see I’m Not Afraid or ashamed of who I am and whose I am in God I’m not ashamed to speak out and show who I am outside of the Church But singing and Some other things I’m fearful about InSide the Church because I’m always afraid of what people May say about me So that’s what I’m Working on concerning myself Now love you and Have a Very Blessed Rest of The Day

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