It was one moment. One minute of time that would decide my future and reputation for years to come. The camp speaker asked all the teens who felt completely alone to stand up.
I froze. Fear ran up and down my spine.
To stand would require that I acknowledge my struggle with shyness and loneliness. To stand would make me vulnerable and could result in being labeled by my peers.
To stand would admit to everyone that I was shy, lonely and hurting. To stand would be asking for help and love. And that would mean that I would have to accept help. To stand would set me apart from all the normal Christian teens.
It would take one thing to stand up: courage. Not the absence of fear, but action in spite of it.
I listened to my heart. I took a deep breath and faced my struggle. ‘Lord, help me.’ I prayed. A calm surrounded my heart.
With tears streaming down my face, I stood.
It took all my strength to stand, but the response was amazing. I have never had so many people give me hugs, talk to me, and brush away my tears. I found myself opening up to girls that I had never talked to before.
That week I decided that I wasn’t going to let fear control my life. Because if I sit here and watch life from a distance, I will never make good friends. And I’ll be missing out on a lot.
What are you missing out on because of fear? I challenge you to take a stand. God freely gives courage. Just ask.
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