“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
I start every morning and every day saying this bible verse.
I am a national sales director for a biopharmaceutical company, and about a year ago, I built a pulmonary division from the ground up for the organization. Being in this role has been a true blessing because it has allowed me to provide great career opportunities for over a hundred people while also helping to change the lives of patients.
At the same time, it has been a bit of a curse as, if I allow it, it can feed my personal insecurities and can be a source of great stress. I experience self-doubt at times and worry a lot because I never want to let anyone down or disappoint someone.
My way of handling this had been to just keep working harder and harder to ensure that doesn’t happen. As the first woman on the brand to be promoted to a zone director and then the first (and only) woman to be promoted to a national sales director, I feel a great pressure to outwork, outperform and set a perfect example in everything I do.
I have recognized sometimes I place this pressure on myself and have throughout my life. I continue to look for ways to better manage the realities of the career decisions I’ve chosen, as the pressure to perform at this level is real.
I turn to prayer in the moments where I feel my stress level spiking or my confidence sinking, and I feel I’ll never get it all done on time and WELL ENOUGH. I stop whatever I’m working on or doing, and reread Jesus Calling for that day (sometimes for several days 😊) and will find a bible verse that gives me strength and calmness.
One of my other favorites is Isaiah 41:13) “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear, I will help you.” This gives me such comfort!
In times of fear or gratefulness, I thank Jesus for taking me by my right hand to let me know he will never abandon me, and never has. On my darkest, most stressful, scary moments, I pray to Jesus – “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” This practice has increased my faith, calmness and confidence and has so strengthened my intentional prayer for thankfulness. It is my go to for when I need help or clarity.
I don’t pray for things to be easy, other than maybe travel 😊. I pray for peace in my heart, unending patience, and extreme grace in situations that I find the most difficult to extend it.