God’s Cure for Stage Fright: How to Sing, Preach, Teach or Give a Speech Without Nervousness – Part 1, by Jamie Lash

I came across this very interesting, thought-provoking,  and useful article about public speaking without nervousness. It’s written by Jamie Lash, Director of Student
Development at Dallas Baptist University and co-author of the best-selling book “This Was Your Life!” Jamie’s website is http://www.LifeGivingWords.com

God’s Cure for Stage Fright: How to Sing, Preach, Teach or Give a Speech Without Nervousness – Part 1
By Jamie Lash

Glen’s pastor was so impressed with something Glen said to him that he asked Glen to share it with the whole congregation. Glen had done some public speaking and didn’t think he’d be nervous. He was wrong.

Glen belongs to an enormous church. As he gazed at the church’s five thousand seats, television cameras, and bright lights, his palms
started to sweat, and his legs felt like cooked spaghetti. Try as he might, he couldn’t relax. Suddenly, just seconds before he was called upon, Glen’s wife turned to him and asked,

“Honey, are you doing this for yourself or for these people?”

Glen recalls, “When she asked me that question, it was like a pin bursting a bubble. All of a sudden, I didn’t care about how I looked, how my words would come out, or what people thought of me. All I could think of was that I owed them more than someone up there who
just cared about himself. When I got up to speak, I was free from fear. I actually had fun. Afterward, it was a joy to hear several people say that what I shared was exactly what they needed.”
Glen learned a valuable lesson that all of us can learn. By changing the goal of our hearts, we can be completely free from stage fright.

Nervousness can diminish or even destroy our effectiveness. When I am plagued by stage fright, several nasty symptoms arise:

1) Sometimes my mind goes blank. A roomful of people stare at me expectantly, waiting to hear something profound, but I can hardly remember my name.

2) I talk too fast. Pausing allows people time to let things soak in, but I’m afraid to pause–lest people use that moment to conclude that the speaker is an idiot.

3) I am too flustered to think clearly. Regardless of how organized my notes might be, my presentation is disorganized. I often cover points in the wrong order or leave them out altogether.

4) My jokes aren’t funny. Because my timing is shot to pieces, all attempts at humor fall flat. If people laugh at all, it’s only because they feel sorry for me.

5) I fail to establish a rapport with my audience.

These nervous symptoms can short-circuit the communication process so that very little penetrates the minds and hearts of the listeners.
Fortunately, if we are willing to face up to the true cause of our nervousness, God has a cure.

To be continued tomorrow…