So, how do you get the courage to stand up and sing when you are unsure of your voice? You’ve been asked to sing, so obviously, someone thinks you have a good singing voice. Right? Or, someone must at the least think that you have some musical potential that can be developed. Maybe you’re standing at the very beginning of your musical ministry, and you need a little push to dive in and start using those vocal chords for the Lord.
I have been in the music ministry since I was a teenager. I was so afraid when the first opportunities arose for me to get involved in singing and playing the piano. Looking back to those beginning days, I can remember several occasions when I was so nervous that my knees literally knocked, and my head actually shook. I’m sure I was quite a sight to the audience with knocking knees and shaking head as I was just trying to get through the song. My abilities were in the baby stage. They had potential but were completely undeveloped. It took courage to stand and to sing, or to sit at the piano and play. However, each time I did it, it was easier.
If you find yourself in this position, then I have a few suggestions for you. First, start exercising that musical gift. Start small. Get involved in the children’s ministry at your church and offer to lead the music. Get involved in a choir to build your vocal cords. Take some voice lessons. Just as you exercise your body to build muscle, exercise your voice to build it by stretching your range and strengthening your vocal cords and diaphragm. If God has given you a talent, He will send you opportunities for you to exercise it. So, don’t run from them – run to them.
Don’t place your confidence in yourself, but place it in the One who created you. II Corinthians 3:5 says, “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” (ESV) He has enabled, gifted, and empowered you to be a minister for His glory. The wonderful thing about God is that He doesn’t ask us to do anything that He hasn’t already enabled us to do.
So, if He’s given you a musical gift, start using it. The more you use it, the stronger it will become. So, how do you get the courage to stand up and sing when you are unsure of your voice? Place your confidence in the Lord by knowing that He will do through you what He has called you to do. Run toward the opportunity and sing!