The concept of shyness, while not explicitly named in the Bible, can be understood through various scriptural principles and examples of biblical characters who exhibited traits that align with what we might consider shyness today. Shyness is generally characterized by feelings of apprehension, discomfort, or awkwardness in social situations. It can be associated with a lack of confidence or fear of negative judgment by others.

Biblical Characters and Shyness

1. Moses: One of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament, Moses displayed signs of shyness or reluctance when called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In Exodus 4:10 , Moses expresses his hesitance: "But Moses replied to the LORD, 'Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant—for I am slow of speech and tongue.'" Moses' initial reluctance and self-doubt reflect a form of shyness or insecurity in his abilities.

2. Gideon: Another example is Gideon, who was called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. In Judges 6:15 , Gideon responds to the angel of the Lord, "Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house." Gideon's initial response indicates a sense of inadequacy and hesitance, traits often associated with shyness.

3. Timothy: In the New Testament, Timothy, a young leader in the early church, may have struggled with timidity. The Apostle Paul encourages him in 2 Timothy 1:7 , "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." This exhortation suggests that Timothy needed reassurance to overcome his natural reticence.

Biblical Principles Related to Shyness

1. Courage and Trust in God: The Bible frequently encourages believers to find their confidence and courage in God rather than in their own abilities. Joshua 1:9 states, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." This principle can be applied to overcoming shyness by trusting in God's presence and strength.

2. The Value of Humility: While shyness can sometimes stem from insecurity, it can also be related to humility, which is a valued trait in Scripture. James 4:10 advises, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." Humility, when balanced with confidence in God's purpose, can lead to effective service and leadership.

3. Encouragement and Support: The Bible emphasizes the importance of community and mutual encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Support from fellow believers can help individuals overcome shyness and grow in their faith and service.

Practical Application

For those who struggle with shyness, the Bible offers both examples and principles that can guide personal growth. By looking to God for strength, embracing humility, and seeking encouragement from the Christian community, individuals can find ways to overcome the limitations of shyness and fulfill their God-given potential.1. (superl.) Easily frightened; timid; as, a shy bird.

2. (superl.) Reserved; coy; disinclined to familiar approach.

3. (superl.) Cautious; wary; suspicious.

4. (v.) To start suddenly aside through fright or suspicion; -- said especially of horses.

5. (v. t.) To throw sidewise with a jerk; to fling; as, to shy a stone; to shy a slipper.

6. (n.) A sudden start aside, as by a horse.

7. (n.) A side throw; a throw; a fling.

2119b. zachal -- to fear, be afraid
... to fear, be afraid. Transliteration: zachal Short Definition: shy. Word Origin a
prim. root Definition to fear, be afraid NASB Word Usage shy (1). ...
/hebrew/2119b.htm - 5k

Introduction
... If in training it to travel in harness a piece of paper should blow across the
training-course, causing the colt to shy, an assistant holds the paper on the ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/introduction.htm

Eight Easter Lessons Learned at Emmaus. Luke xxiv. 13-35.
... If He were the subject of conversation more, His friends would have more of
His company. If you are shy of Him, He will be shy of you. ...
/.../champness/broken bread/xlviii eight easter lessons learned.htm

Choosing Her Course
... The shy little recruit, with eyes as blue as the sky, golden curls reaching to her
waist, and a complexion like pink rose petals, sang her testimony in the ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/ii choosing her course.htm

The Consulship of Eutropius
... And he thinks he has found out who is to be the new Consul,' said Philip,
and he wants you to guess, only he's too shy to ask.'. ...
/.../chapter xxiv the consulship of.htm

Jesus and his Secret Friends.
... going to follow me, you cannot be my disciple, and I will not have you as my friend."
Evidently Jesus had accepted Joseph as a disciple, even in the shy way he ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xii jesus and his.htm

The Teen Age Teacher
... There are also the types of real life with which we are most familiar"the masterful,
the weak, the mischievous, the backward, the shy, the bully, the joker ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xix the teen age teacher.htm

Brokenness
... It is self who is hard and unyielding in its attitudes to others. It is self who
is shy and self-conscious and reserved. No wonder we need breaking. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter i brokenness.htm

The Timeliness of Prayer
... spiritual men; it does so in the trivialities associated sometimes with the answer
to prayer.) It is neither seemly nor healthy to be nothing but shy about the ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter iv the timeliness of.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... The Star-gods"The Sun-god as the Eye of the Shy; as a bird, as a calf, and as a
man; its barks, voyages round the world, and encounters with the serpent Apopi ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

The Universal Presence
... Christian teachers shy away from its full implications, and, if they mention
it at all, mute it down till it has little meaning. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/v the universal presence.htm

Shy (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Easily frightened; timid; as, a shy bird. ... 5. (vt) To throw sidewise
with a jerk; to fling; as, to shy a stone; to shy a slipper. ...
/s/shy.htm - 7k

Pigeon (3 Occurrences)
... The old birds, among the wild, were shy creatures and far more difficult to capture
in nets or snares than doves that came close to cities and villages to live ...
/p/pigeon.htm - 13k

Fox (2 Occurrences)
... The reasons for preferring the rendering "jackal" are (1) that it is more easily
caught than the fox; (2) that the fox is shy and suspicious, and flies mankind ...
/f/fox.htm - 13k

Timid (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Wanting courage to meet danger; easily frightened;
timorous; not bold; fearful; shy. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/timid.htm - 8k

Retiring (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Retire. 2. (a.) Reserved; shy;
not forward or obtrusive; as, retiring modesty; retiring manners. ...
/r/retiring.htm - 7k

Mad (22 Occurrences)
... 29:26) and Hosea (9:7). The most interesting case of real insanity recorded in the
Old Testament is that of Saul, who, from being a shy, self-conscious young ...
/m/mad.htm - 19k

Madness (13 Occurrences)
... 29:26) and Hosea (9:7). The most interesting case of real insanity recorded in the
Old Testament is that of Saul, who, from being a shy, self-conscious young ...
/m/madness.htm - 17k

Shaaph (2 Occurrences)
... SHAAPH. shy'-af (sha`aph): (1) A son of Jahdai (1 Chronicles 2:47). (2) The son
of Maachah, a concubine of Caleb, the brother of Jerahmeel. ...
/s/shaaph.htm - 7k

Shuttle (1 Occurrence)

/s/shuttle.htm - 7k

Si (1 Occurrence)

/s/si.htm - 7k

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