My Journey of Overcoming Fear

What fears have you overcome and how?

For years, I found comfort in writing. Sharing devotionals, prayers, and testimonies came naturally behind a screen or on paper. But when it came to speaking out loud, standing in front of people, opening my mouth, and letting my voice carry, I would freeze. Fear had a grip on me, especially when it came to public speaking. When singing, however, I would close my eyes and sing to an audience of One.

I used to write out everything, not just for clarity, but to protect myself from the fear of messing up. Speaking off the cuff? That felt terrifying. I felt safer teaching in smaller settings, like jail ministry, The Chrysalis Ministry for  women dealing with domestic violence, where my audience couldn’t see how nervous I was. But deep down, I knew God was calling me out of the shadows, not just to write or teach quietly, but to speak boldly and publicly.

This fear ran deep, fear of judgment, fear of rejection, and fear of not being “enough.” Yet, the Holy Spirit wouldn’t let me settle. He kept nudging me, reminding me that my voice wasn’t mine, it was His tool. He didn’t ask me to be perfect; He asked me to be willing.

I’ve also faced rejection in online ministry. After my husband went home to be with the Lord, God led me to speak through Facebook posts. At first, even typing out what He gave me came with hesitation. What if people misunderstood me? What if they criticized me? And some did. But obedience taught me to trust God with the outcome. That journey built my confidence and reminded me that my calling isn’t about popularity, it’s about purpose.

Now, I’m intentionally stepping into verbal public speaking very slowly before I sing. Not just through written words, but with my actual voice, face-to-face, microphone in hand, heart wide open. I still feel the nerves. But I’m learning that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s saying yes in spite of it.

Each time I speak, I feel God strengthening me. I’m no longer letting fear dictate my calling. I’m stepping out, trembling if I must, but trusting God will meet me there.

If you’ve ever struggled with fear of public speaking or stepping fully into your voice, let this be an encouragement: you’re not alone, and you’re not disqualified. God prepares whom He calls, and He’s still preparing me, one brave word at a time.