OVERCOMING THE FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING PT.1 : INTRODUCTION

It was on January 2015, while I was a sophomore student at Northern Caribbean University. I walked into my Oral Communication class for the first time. I felt very fearful. The negative testimonies of students who had previously done the course, swamped out my mind.

“Very challenging.” “Complete boredom.” “Embarrassing…”

...said some of those students. As I continued to recall. There came the lecturer; “Good afternoon class. Welcome to the best course in the world. Let us get started. Your first assignment will be an impromptu (unplanned) speech. Each student will pick one of these paper strips and whatever is written on it, you will do.”

via GIPHY

My eyes were wide opened, my heart was beating rapidly, and anxiety was setting in. I plunged my right hand into the bag with the paper strips. To my amazement, I picked a funeral tribute. I was very nervous as I awaited my time to present. In the end, surprisingly I did exceptionally well. I saw a big smile swept over the lecture’s face. “Well done Mr. Parker,” She commended. And from that day forward I no longer dread public speaking. ​​

You may not have had the same testimony as I. You may never overcame the fear of public speaking as quickly as I did. But we can all agree that we have had our own experiences; whether positive or negative, with public speaking. This, therefore, begs the question; how can we overcome public speaking?
In answering this question, I will be highlighting three important points; firstly, the causes of fear in public speaking. Secondly, the Bible character Moses’ experience with public speaking. And finally, how to overcome the fear of public speaking.

Keep on reading to learn more to help you be more like a jewel on God´s crown
¨ The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.¨ Zechariah 9:16 NIV

​

Author

​The author of this blog post is Pastor Melvin Parker, J.P. The devoted, kind, mission-driven and spiritual leader of the Bartons District of Seventh-Day Adventist Churches in
​St. Catherine, Jamaica. He is married to Sanya (a Science teacher) and the union has produced one son, Nathaniel. He lives by this philosophy; "If you can't overcome criticism, you will be destroyed by compliments."