Strength Begins with Weakness

Upon graduating from graduate school, I immediately began my job search. With little interviewing experience and no work history, I realized I would be competing against much more experienced applicants. We live in a small town where job opportunities are scarce, which added to my great deal of anxiety. I was dreading it.

I usually try to avoid anything that causes me anxiety and tell myself that they are not meant to be. However, this time, I couldn't do that. I applied for a few positions that I was clearly not interested in and that I was under qualified for, just to practice and improve my interview skills.

I convinced myself I didn't want the job anyway, so it would be okay if I totally bombed the interview.  

When I arrived at my first interview, I expected to meet with a single professional. To my dismay, I discovered that I would be interviewed by an entire panel of board members from the facility, about twenty people. There was already a line of chairs filled with interviewers outside the door. Although my gut told me to leave, I said a quick prayer and told God I was doing this entirely in his strength. If I land on my face and make a complete fool of myself without uttering a word, at least I knew I had tried. It was just practice, I reminded myself.

When I entered the room, my heart was beating very fast. I took a seat. I cannot fully describe what occurred next. I tried to remember the words I spoke or how the conversation progressed. However, all I remember feeling was an overwhelming sense of boldness unfamiliar to me before. I didn't recognize myself and knew I was not operating on my own strength. I was most blown away when they called me a few weeks later to offer me the position.  

In Hebrews 11, Paul lists the famous faith heroes and their courageous acts of faith. The chapter concludes beautifully...

... by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,  quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. (He. 11:34 HCSB)

These heroes of faith had to learn to gain strength after being weak, just like you and I. Another translation says...

...whose weakness was turned into strength. (NIV)

When I was overwhelmed and anxious about my interviews, I didn't realize that God was setting the stage for me to learn how to draw strength from him. The journey to discovering his supernatural strength required me coming to the end of my strength entirely and embracing my weakness, even when my instinct was to run from it.

It can be very hard to find ourselves in vulnerable situations where we must face and accept our weaknesses, as we often prefer to avoid them at all costs. However, God has placed these challenges in our lives so that we may discover his strength and practice relying on it. Without these obstacles, how would we ever learn? 

Supporting Text

And He said to me, ... for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (2 Co. 12:9)