I’ve always hated public speaking.

I’m a perfectionist, and I think one reason I’m a writer and editor is because I can do exactly that, edit my words before they’re released to the world.

When you’ve got a mike and a room full of eyes staring at you, there’s no editing or turning back.

So, public speaking was never my favorite.

And then my mom asked me to preach a sermon and share other short testimonies on our two-week trip to Burma last December.

And then after the trip I was asked to share about it at church.

And a few weeks ago at my women’s Bible study I was asked to talk about reaching out to international women. I’ve been befriending and hanging out with a few Muslim couples from the Middle East for the past year and a half.

And at first I think, why do I keep opening my mouth and inviting these speaking engagements. And then after I speak (and even though at the time I’m sweating and praying that every word comes out okay), I feel so empowered and know that the message that was spoken needed to be so. And that I needed to get out of my comfort zone a little.

So, here’s to not hiding behind a phobia but facing it head on and reaping the benefits.

Grace Flack is a proofreader, writer and social media guru by career and a foodie and food blogger at Fruitful by love. She resides in Fayetteville, Ark., with her wonderful husband, Jason, and always has a mystery novel by her bedside.