Maybe you’ve watched the recent movie “The King’s Speech” and been touched by the emotion and humour of the remarkable real story of King George VI and his speech impediment. Here’s a quote from the movie highlighting the irony of such a predicament whilst being in such an important position as king:
“Queen Elizabeth: My husband’s work involves a great deal of public speaking.
Lionel Logue: Then he should change jobs
Queen Elizabeth: He can’t.
Lionel Logue: What is he, an indentured servant?
Queen Elizabeth: Something like that. “
How difficult it must have been to seek outside help in such a situation. Having taken that brave step the speech therapist then tries to get to the cause of this problem but here is the response:
“Logue: What was your earliest memory?
King George VI: I’m not… -here to discuss… -personal matters
Lionel Logue: Why are you here then?
King George VI: Because I bloody well stammer”
What follows is a journey of discovery full of rich interpersonal exchanges as the king and the therapist become friends and at times enemies and the king overcomes his greatest fears. Why am I sharing this story with you? Like many who have seen the film I was touched by something that was not immediately obvious. Something in this story hit a nerve in me. Maybe you can relate but let me explain.
When I was growing up I struggled at times with insecurities. Sometimes these manifested in nightmares or incredible fear. They were triggered by scary movies or having done something that was not allowed at home but my inquisitiveness had got the better of me. But in the end I realised it was my relationship with my father that was my problem. I didn’t feel accepted. It was not something obvious that he had deliberately done but just the way many fathers tended to be in those days – not too expressive and quick to punish (a bit like how King George’s father treated him).
Strangely, these early childhood experiences grew into some teenage behaviour that limited my development. I became quite introverted and lacked confidence to put myself forward. I was extremely fearful of public speaking even in a small group and a simple thing like reading a book aloud in a classroom was a terribly nervous and embarrassing experience. Somehow I had lost confidence in my outward person but to compensate I’d become focused on study, hobbies and anything that was individual. On looking back this was in stark contrast to my primary school years when I showed few inhibitions.
Like King George I needed help if I was to be set free from my fears. My turning point came when I was introduced to Jesus Christ in a personal way. I had always had a faith in God but I was not able to say I knew God. What I discovered in my new life in Christ was that God is a loving Father and he accepts us for who we are no matter what we’ve done. Not only that, he wants us to be set free from our fears, our failures and every insecurity. Having new confidence in a loving God moved me on a path to recovery to the point where I would share publicly what I was like and those listening would not believe me.
Although some of these changes were quite dramatic I still exhibited a few nervous traits and complex behaviours that took a number of years to overcome. I can say that the loving support of Christians around me were key to my growth and one person in particular who taught me how to come out of myself was to become my wife in future years.
Did you know there is something far more serious than any physical or emotional impediment, no matter how bad this may seem? Yes, it is our tendency to fall short of God’s standard (what the Bible calls sin) and at this point we are all equal. What do I mean, you may be asking? Well the Bible describes sin in many ways but in its simplest form it is rebelling against or disobeying God. The outward expression of sin is self-centred behaviour which limits our ability to be the person God wants us to be. How could you have sinned if you don’t even know God, you may ask? He has made us in his image and given us a conscience to know right from wrong.
Choosing to do wrong cuts us off from a relationship with God but God offers to restore it through his son Jesus who came to earth to reveal God as a loving Father and to fully compensate for our rebellion against God by offering himself in our place. That price was his own life that he gave by dying on a cross but God raised him up again breaking the power of sin and death. So what do you need to do to benefit from what Jesus has done? God is offering you a free gift of restored relationship with Him if you are willing to acknowledge you are a sinner, accept Jesus has paid for your sin and start doing whatever God asks you to do.
Remember that God is our loving heavenly Father who does not want us to have any impediment in life but to be restored, confident and free.
If you’ve taken that first step or would like help to grow in your relationship with God then please feel free to contact me on 0417 917 075 or ben@netmenders.info . I’d love to hear from you.
God Bless,
Ben.