EMBARRASSED

• DAY 181
• FAITH FILE: DAVID
• SCRIPTURES: 2 SAMUEL 6

“Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!””

‭‭II Samuel‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭16‬, ‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Ever been in a situation that made you ashamed on someone’s behalf? I have and 9 out of 10 times it was my mom. We’d get on a bus and she will stand up in the middle of the bus and preach. As if that wasn’t enough she will find a way to include me. Either she calls me to lead the praise and worship session or she will make me an example that doesn’t always sound positive, atleast, not to me. If the ground could swallow me at that moment, I would have gone willingly. It was embarrassing.

That’s how David’s wife felt in our text today. She was a queen, the wife of a powerful warrior, and the king of all Israel and she had to watch him half-naked in the name of dancing. Couldn’t he dance covered? Couldn’t my mom just let someone else preach? Do you know what I, Michal, and some of you probably had in common? It’s called fear of being embarrassed. It is classified under social anxiety. Yeah, that’s a thing.

Social Phobia

Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, involves overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. 

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a fear of being watched or judged by others in social situations. It may occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

You see, that feeling of being embarrassed made me so angry. I felt like everyone on the bus looked at me and mocked me and I did not appreciate going to the bus with my mom. In fact, I dreaded it. For most people, this fear is disguised as pride and class. That was the case for Mical. It was beneath her to debase herself in that manner.

Believe it or not, social phobia sponsors the reason why most (not all) people cannot praise and worship God freely in church. They lack expression because they are afraid that they are being watched (scopophobia).

Nobody likes embarrassment, we all avoid it. But if it gets in the way of praise by all means embarrass yourself.

Be Like David

So, how do you overcome it? The basic way is getting over yourself. The awkwardness and embarrassment we feel are because we are so self-preoccupied. “How will I be seen? What if they laugh at ME?” David didn’t consider these things. He was only focused on getting the ark to its place and praising the majesty of God. if you focus on yourself, you will feel embarrassed but if you focus on God, you will have courage.

Consider all that God has done for you and let that be front and center in your mind. That will feel your heart with overwhelming gratitude and you will be able to lift your hands or sing out in praise.

But They Laughed

Sometimes, we might have people who actually mock us. People like Michal. But that’s on them. If they decide to be barren that’s their cup of tea. You guard your heart and respond as David did. “It was before the God who chose me, who healed me, who provided for me, who protected me, who covered me and I will do much more than this next time.” God always defends those who praise in spirit and truth, if you have mocked anyone like that before, repent now and ask God for mercy.

Shalom