About 10 years ago, I sat in a counseling office waiting room. I felt broken, embarrassed and vulnerable. After years of being the care-giver, I finally acknowledged I needed to sit in the other chair. I needed help.

The moment of clarity came at a Chris Tomlin concert a few days earlier. As I sat in the arena with thousands of others and my husband beside me, I felt completely alone. I sobbed through most of the concert.

I listened to words like:

“into the darkness we shine, out of the ashes we rise”

“our God is greater, our God is stronger, our God is higher than any other, our God is healer, awesome in power."

“you’re the defender of the weak, you comfort those in need, you lift us up on wings like eagles."

“all powerful, untamable, awestruck we fall to our knees and we humbly proclaim, you are amazing God."

I wept.

I knew I was in a big, big hole and couldn’t get out of it on my own. My smallness and God’s immensity overwhelmed me. I needed help.

So, I entered the counseling office. Afterwards, I expressed to a friend how weak I felt sitting there. She shared simple words that gave me new perspective. She said the people in that waiting room were the strongest people she knew, including me. She reminded me of the strength it took to sit there, acknowledging I needed help.

She was right. The bravest people on earth are the ones who acknowledge their brokenness, reach out, and seek help. It’s harder to ask for help then it is to do nothing. It’s crazy hard. Take it from one who’s been there.

I spent the next year meeting with my counselor regularly, working through life together. Those sessions were hard. Really hard sometimes. But they helped me heal and move forward. Without that time I would likely still be stuck. And weak.

Have you been there? Felt like you hit rock bottom? Felt completely alone, helpless, or without answers? Are you there today? In that moment, you are poised for your greatest display of strength.

Here’s what you can do today to show strength:

1. Acknowledge your challenge. Living in denial is counterproductive to a life of health. We all struggle. We all have our thorn. When we let go of our pride (i.e. realize that sometimes the care-giver needs to be the care-receiver), the biggest hurdle is already overcome.
   
   
2. Pray. Ask for help from the One who can provide the ultimate healing. You may also need human hands and words to guide you through day-to-day life, but God will carry you when you are most weak.
   
   
3. Tell someone. The more silent we remain, the more power that “thing” has over us. Sharing is hard. But it’s also the bravest thing you’ll do. Most likely, our friends and family will welcome the opportunity to pray for you, talk with you, and encourage you.
   
   
4. Seek professional guidance. Sometimes we need an expert to walk the road with us. I expected to touch base with a counselor for a month or two. It was almost a year of bi-weekly sessions. Without her guidance, I would not have moved past the obstacles blocking my life’s path.

Listen to these words from childhood Sunday school:

“Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong."

In our moments of greatest weakness, greatest vulnerability, He gives us strength. His strength makes us strong.

Whether you’re discouraged by your current health status, job situation, or other life stressor, you are ready for a great opportunity. You are poised for strength.

Are you ready to flex?