Is public speaking one of your fears?
The scientific word for fear of public speaking is “glossophobia.”
It comes from the Greek words “glossa” (tongue) and “phobos” (dread or fear). Glossophobia.
Approximately 76% of us have fears and anxiety towards presenting or speaking in public, presenting online, or facilitating a meeting. According to Forbes Magazine, the number one fear for the average person is that of public speaking.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
1 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
God always reminds us that he did not make us timid. We often compare ourselves to others who are good at public speaking, sometimes we stutter in our speech and even worst, our minds become overwhelmed by fear that we forget our topic and freeze in front of our audience.
I can empathize with people who have fear in public speaking. I avoid at all cost to speak in front of many people. One thing that really helped me is that I became more prayerful in my circumstances. Read the word of God and meditate it thus gaining knowledge and understanding. I truly believe that God can give us the power of courage and boldness to overcome our fear of public speaking, that we will overcome and be victorious.
An example of a character in the bible is Moses.
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. 13And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. 14And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
Exodus 4: 10-14 (KJV)
Here are some practical things to do while preparing to speak in public. Three things you need to know and do to overcome the fear of public speaking.
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Know your topic – Research and study your topic, be prepared and anticipate to expect questions that the audience may ask and be ready to have answers.
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Organize your material and speech– Make so that the audience will understand your point and topic. Simplify your points so that each target audience, may it be old or the new generation can grasp your explanation of your topic.
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Practice and Practice some more. – the more you practice to speak in public, the more the fear will go away, you will be able to control your emotions because you have prepared yourself through knowing your topic, organizing your material and speech and practice speaking.
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 TImothy 4: 12-16 (NIV)
