I loved the 2010 biographical
movie “The King’s Speech” about King George VI struggling with stammering. The
defining moment in the film was when the monarch delivered a radio address upon
Great Britain's declaration of war against Nazi Germany in 1939. With the help of
a voice coach the King overcomes his stammering. One report I read about the
speech was that the King flubbed words beginning with “W”, despite the
accolades he received for the speech at that dark moment in English history.
I related to the movie since
it patterned some aspects of my own life. Through my childhood into high school
I stammered. When called to read out loud in class I would scan the text
quickly before I started , looking for words that began with “T” or “W”,
because they were so difficult to say. No matter how hard I tried, I rarely
succeeded. Fear would grip my throat like hands trying to choke me. I would do anything
to not read out load.
Like King George I successfully
overcame my speech impediment. Here’s how I did it. First, I noted I did not
stammer when I was singing in school choir. I took voice lessons, not to sing,
but to learn how to control breathing. I was inspired by the Greek orator
Demosthenes who overcame a speech impediment. I thought if he could do it, I
could do it!
Finally, I learned a
principle of life that can be applied to any personal issue. Instead of
avoiding what we fear, embrace the challenge. Ask the Lord to prepare a way for
you to overcome, to strengthen you, and to walk with you.
If you have successfully
overcome a fear, why not share that with me? I would like to post it on my blog
and encourage others.
Robert Parlante
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