Are you shy?

Shyness is caused by morbid introspection. According to Dr. Bernardo J. Carducci of the Shyness Research Institute, shyness has three components:

• Excessive Self-Consciousness - you are overly aware of yourself, particularly in social situations.
  
  
• Excessive Negative Self-Evaluation - you tend to see yourself negatively.
  
  
• Excessive Negative Self-Preoccupation - you tend to pay too much attention to all the things you are doing wrong when you are around other people.

The theme in those components of shyness is obviously self - self - self. The Bible tells us to deny self and control self. Jesus said "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matt 16:24)

Let me suggest a few alternatives that may remove or restrict your problem with shyness:

• Christ-Centered - We should have an excessive Christ-centeredness. We must "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion [excessive self-consciousness] raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..." (2 Cor 10:5)
  
  
• Spirit-Empowered - The fruit of the Spirit includes love, kindness and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23) These things are not works you do through more self-evaluation. The are produced, not by you, but by the Spirit working in you.
  
  
• Other-Oriented - Rather than focus on how others feel about you, focus on how you can make them feel. Replace your negative self-preoccupation with genuine love for others. "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Rom 12:10)