Fear, timidity, and self-consciousness seemed to be my unchangeable and undesirable characteristics, stifling my progress in life. I appeared to be their helpless victim, left with no alternative but to bow to their tyranny.
Soon after becoming a member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, I received an invitation from the church executive board to deputize for the Second Reader for two Sundays. Contemplating the duty I had been asked to fulfill, and thinking how these character faults had enslaved me through the years, was anything but pleasant. It was frightening when I pictured myself reading the Bible in front of a full congregation. My first reaction was to decline the invitation.
However, I took my problem prayerfully to God. I began to view the situation as a call to take a forward step and to realize that since it was basically spiritual work I had been asked to perform, I could not possibly be deprived of God's support and care. With this spiritual enlightenment I accepted the invitation and carried off the work successfully. Refusing to be intimidated and influenced by the foreboding of mortal thought had brought about a spiritual victory. My gratitude knew no bounds.
