I can do all things....

Last night, a fellow debater friend of mine asked my why I tend to stress out at debate tournaments. Now this kid has traveled with my family to many tournaments so he knows how stressed out I can get. Going back, I thought, "hmm." and I told him that I stress out because oftentimes I do not feel like I am capable of doing very well on my own. Basically in other words, I lack self-confidence. Especially in the area of speech and debate. Now. This morning I was listening to my ipod and the song Strong Enough by Matthew West came on.

I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be. I give up. I'm not strong enough.

And I was like, "OH MY GOSH. I totally know how this is. Whether it be speech and debate, some random school assignment, or any kind of rough trial, it is always like I cannot do it at all because I do not have the strength to work through it. 

Hands of mercy won't you cover me? Lord, right now I'm asking you to be strong enough. Strong enough. 

It's almost like a small child who isn't strong enough to lift a somewhat heavy object or isn't strong enough to walk. We all know that the child cannot do these things on his own. Those around him who are stronger will help him learn how to do all these things. The child never has to learn on his own. I realized that in my case, whatever the internal battle, I am the small child and I am in no way strong enough to fight things on my own. Yet, with God's help, I can withstand and make it through any self-confidence issues, stressful english essay, or any other hardship. 

Cause I'm broken down to nothing, but I'm still holding on to the one thing. You are God and you are strong when I am weak. 

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I don't have to be...strong enough. 

Sometimes we think we can do everything on our own. That we don't need anyones help. This is WRONG kids. We are not able to do anything without God's help. Truth. God is always with us in any situation and He wants to help us. He can only do this if we let Him in. So turn to God in whatever YOU are struggling with. He will be right along side you strengthening and encouraging you every step along the way. 

When I listened to this song I went back to last night when my fellow debater asked me about the tournaments. Now, I feel like I can take on this new speech and debate year without worrying about what I'm capable of. I may not be strong enough to perform well on my own, but this year, all my speeches are doing to be a duo and I'm going to have three debate partners because God is with me at all times helping me to do the best I can possibly do. With Him by my side I know I can accomplish anything I want. Because with Him I have all the confidence in the world, without a doubt, that I am strong enough.