Shy - to shun; fearful of near approach; keeping at a distance through
caution or timidity; careful to avoid committing one's self.
How many of you would describe yourselves as shy?
Characteristics of Shyness:
Afraid of looking foolish in social situations
Others appear to have more fun than I do
If I am rejected, I assume I've done wrong
Hard for you to approach people who are having a conversation
Hard to say no to reasonable requests
Don't let others know you are frustrated or angry
Disappointed in yourself
Try to figure out what is expected and then act that way
Suspicious of people's intentions toward you
Easier to sit back and observe rather than participate
Frequently concerned about approval from others
Spend a lot of time thinking about your social performance
SELF
HAS
YOU!
It is not my business to think about myself. My business is to think about
God. It is for God to think about me!
The Bible teaches that shyness can and must be overcome…
Psalm 27:1-14
Vs. 1a: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
(Approaching others myself)
Vs. 1b: The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
(Others approaching me)
When we are born again, light is poured into our soul! And that light
illumines a new path for us to follow... God becomes our joy, our comfort,
our guide, and our teacher… The powers of darkness are not to be feared.
In Christ, situations that shy individuals dread to find themselves in
can take on a new light. Our life derives all it's strength from the Author
of our salvation…
Psalm 27:3
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though
war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
How confident would you say you are of the Almighty's protection as you
face social settings in which you are apprehensive? Are you secure in
the fact that you are primarily accepted of God? Enough to dwell at ease
in the face of even an enemy?
Psalm 27:4
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may
dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the
beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
Our focus can change drastically with Christ living in our hearts. As
we rest in His control and submit to God's Word, we are no longer preoccupied
with our own self-image but a new interest is placed in our hearts - the
beauty of the Lord becomes our main concern!
Psalm 27:13
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in
the land of the living.
Here is the belief that will support the shy person - that he or she should
see the goodness of the Lord. If you don't believe that today, then you
will shy away from Christ! Why waste time looking for your own goodness
when it is found only in God??
Let's look at a few Biblical examples of shyness and see how the Lord
dealt with them. ..
WOMAN WITH AN ISSUE - MARK 5:25-34
And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, [26] And
had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she
had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, [27] When she had
heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. [28]
For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. [29] And
straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her
body that she was healed of that plague. [30] And Jesus, immediately knowing
in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press,
and said, Who touched my clothes? [31] And his disciples said unto him,
Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched
me? [32] And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
[33] But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her,
came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. [34] And he
said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace,
and be whole of thy plague.
Here is an anonymous "nobody" who carried a burden around for 12 years.
No doubt this woman suffered physically and emotionally after attempts
made to heal her had failed time and again. Nothing bettered, only grew
worse. That's the way it will be without Jesus! Your shyness will not
improve on it's own.
She quietly presses her way through the multitude of people and timidly
touches the hem of Jesus garment, thinking she could slip away unnoticed,
only to be lost in the crowd again… But how does Christ deal with her
shyness? He turns and stops her. And then tenderly, He extracts a public
testimony of what the Lord did for her. Why do you think Jesus didn't
permit her to remain anonymous and go her way?
He wanted to be more than just her Savior - He wanted to be her friend.
Jesus wanted this woman to look Him straight in the eye (vs. 32) and hear
His words of kindness and send her away with PEACE and a new confidence
in God.
What longed-awaited healing might you receive if you weren't so timid
about getting closer to Christ?
ZACCHAEUS - LUKE 19:1-9
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. [2] And, behold, there was
a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he
was rich. [3] And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for
the press, because he was little of stature. [4] And he ran before, and
climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
[5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said
unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide
at thy house. [6] And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
[7] And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone
to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [8] And Zacchaeus stood, and
said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor;
and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore
him fourfold. [9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come
to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
Here was a lonely little man, living an unrighteous life, yet curious
about Jesus. Considering his size and occupation, Zacchaeus was accustomed
to being disregarded, therefore he made arrangements to observe Christ
by himself from the limb of a tree.
Surprisingly, it was Jesus who wanted to see him! God's Son shares His
love and company with those of low status… In spite of the great crowd,
when the Savior came to the place where the man of small stature was perched,
He stopped and looked up, called him by name to come down, and fellowshipped
with Zacchaeus in his home that day. Jesus will single you out in your
shyness because He is interested in YOU!
Praise the Lord Zacchaeus humbled himself and came down, for he found
salvation that day! And what a drastic transformation was seen in him…
With Christ in his heart, shyness didn't prevent Zacchaeus from admitting
his sin and making things right with those he had wronged. He was no longer
"self-conscious" but God-conscious - and very happy!
Ladies, we lose out on a great deal when we do not respond to the visits
of Christ! Make haste when Jesus passes by; neither should you postpone
salvation because of your shyness.
What changes have you made in your life in response to Jesus' interest
in you? Are you still "self-conscious"? Do you shy away from making things
right with someone you have wronged? If you want your life to improve,
you'll have to "come down"…
PETER - LUKE 22: 54-62
(Self-consciousness taking an opposite direction)
Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's
house. And Peter followed afar off. [55] And when they had kindled a fire
in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among
them. [56] But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly
looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. [57] And he denied
him, saying, Woman, I know him not. [58] And after a little while another
saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
[59] And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed,
saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
[60] And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately,
while he yet spake, the cock crew. [61] And the Lord turned, and looked
upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said
unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. [62] And Peter
went out, and wept bitterly.
Peter wanted to see the outcome of Jesus' trial and he followed Christ
where He should not have. Self-confidence led him straight into enemy
territory! He hoped to go unnoticed in the large crowd but things took
an unexpected turn.
Peter's stubborn trust in himself and his reluctance to fully trust in
the Lord made him vulnerable to the comments of those who challenged his
identity. Once exposed, he was faced with a dilemma...
Angry, frustrated, embarrassed, trapped, and frightened, Peter desperately
tried to hide his identity and especially his conncection with Jesus.
Going against the very grain of his nature as a child of God, Peter passionately
refused to admit his relationship to his Savior and Lord and shunned Jesus.
Because he was relying on his own wisdom and resources, he did not have
the courage to confess Christ publicly.
In spite of his predicament, Peter continued to resist the Lord's help,
enduring the awkward situation in arrogant self reliance. Fear of man
brings a snare and things became worse as he tried to escape the pressure
of a social setting he was ill equipped to face. Self always shies away
from Christ.
Like many Christians who know the Bible well, are experienced in the things
of God, and are active in the church, Peter felt himself to be spiritually
sufficient. However, he soon learned that is when a believer is most vulnerable
of all!
At this moment, Christ turned and looked him in the eye, a delicate yet
disturbing reproof that burned at his very heart, forcing Peter to consider
the fact that He did not rest in God's strength and protection. The anguish
was unbearable and Peter wept bitterly… Self-assurance will lead to sorrow
and shame that only faith can save you from.
The memory of denying Christ is always a painful, haunting one. But ladies,
there is no reason for our failures to hinder our Christian walk! Self
does not have to be triumphant. Confess and repent and get up again…
In closing, whether we are too shy or too confident, disregarding the
Word of God will lead us away from God-consciousness and straight into
self-consciousness. It's a lonely, dead end, depressing street to live
on! Pay attention to the Word and put no confidence in your own strength.
Power is supplied to us as we willingly put ourselves under the control
of the Holy Spirit in submission to the will and Word of God.
Remember our opening verses in Psalm 27 and walk confidently in the light
of Christ!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
