He hangs his head as he meets people in the marketplace. He avoids eye contact when speaking, has sweaty palms and shakes uncontrollably. She blushes easily, is uncomfortable in a crowd and avoids church fellowships.  Recognize these symptoms of timidity? There once was a man named Timothy…

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, (2 Timothy 1:6-8a KJV).”

Paul had ordained Timothy; he felt confident Timothy would serve His Lord faithfully. Yet, he sensed Timothy needed a booster shot to ward off timidity. He need not fear rejection of his listeners. He preached Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected and did do in response to Christ’s great commission. (Matthew 28: 18-20) Tenacious, I resist my tendency to be as timid Timothy!