A fresh season unfolded before me this past February. Prayerfully choosing a move back to my hometown also meant starting over with work. After creating a new résumé, it was time to seek out prospective jobs. When opportunity knocked, I drove to an interview, outfitted with a black top, cream cardigan, plaid dress pants, and leather Toms.
The following Monday, upon arriving to interview for a different position, my hands felt shaky as I filled out paperwork for a job I truly wanted, a job that would complement my college and career path. It’s hard answering questions face-to-face, putting yourself out there, not knowing if you’ll actually be hired or not. Even still, stepping outside of your comfort zone, moving forward despite fear and anxiety, and doing the dang thing anyway can bring about rewarding feelings. I left that second interview with a smile on my face as I dialed my mom to tell her about it.
From the start of this job journey, I made a habit of talking to Jesus about my potential options. And, with that last interview in particular, though I eventually left smiling, my anxiety had been raging beforehand. Once the day played out, I reflected on my decision to push through the anxiety and pursue the job opportunity anyway. Jesus told me this:
“The season I have purposed for you is unique and contains great breakthrough — and joy. The enemy hates progress but is powerless. Don’t let him persuade you from pushing through anxiety and leaving your comfort zones.”
Jesus’s insight to my situation brought comfort and peace. Spiritual warfare cannot halt breakthrough nor joy if we press on.
At the same time, there is no denying that fear and anxiety are a real, formidable hindrance to thriving. But pushing through and actually doing whatever it is that we wish to succeed in is the only way to conquer our fear and anxiety. Building confidence does not happen when we stay stuck. . . ask me how I know!
As I have stepped out, it has taken talking to Jesus about each detail I’m concerned about along the way, outside encouragement, as well as just doing the dang thing even when I am afraid, like Elisabeth Elliot asserts: “Sometimes…fear does not subside and…one must choose to do it afraid.”
We don’t have to wait and wait and wait for the fear to go away. It would certainly be more comfortable to be fearless when it is time to move forward. But, true to life as a believer, choosing to do “it” afraid asks more of us. Jesus calls us to strength and courage despite fear — and He promises His presence in the process, because He knows this is a valuable avenue for experiencing joy and growth . . . in and through Him.
We do not have to wait until we are brave or courageous to progress. Courage runs through our veins, usually undetected, even as we face that “thing” that scares us. By choosing bravery and consequently pushing through fear, we are getting out into the world, out of what is familiar, to reach for something better and beneficial. We just have to knock down the what ifs and do — even in spite of fear.
This doesn’t mean it will be easy. We’ve already established that journeying ahead will typically be something that “feels” anything but. Yet, we can focus on the reward — the joy and breakthrough, which will flow like gifts as a result of being brave.
Although written with positivity about me, I recently received an email notifying me that I was not hired for the position I hoped for. The comfort in this is knowing my steps were heading forward as I showed up and interviewed without knowing what the end result would be. Anxiety did not have the last say. Fear was disregarded and courage came through.
Now, onto the pursuit of other potential jobs. I know Jesus will open up the right one for me at the right time — and I’ll choose, all over again, to bravely move forward despite the anxiety.
Friend, if you relate to experiencing anxiety while job seeking, share in the comments and make it known. What is God teaching you in this season, and what are you trusting Him for? What is helping you to step out in faith even when you’re scared?
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