For I know the plans…

I had a job interview the other day. It’s for an internal position and I’m not even certain if I want the job or not, but I had myself so stressed out the night before that I actually thought I was going to be sick to my stomach. I obsessed over practice questions, I rehearsed my answers while pacing my living room, I scribbled some notes and crossed them out and then scribbled some more.

From the moment I opened my eyes on the morning of the interview I was worrying about it. Practicing answers in my head some more, considering every buzzword and phrase, wondering what else I could do to my answers better, fretting because I hadn’t started preparing for the interview earlier. I couldn’t even finish the fabulous breakfast my husband prepared for me because my stomach was so upset.

It wasn’t until I was sitting in the car on my way in for the interview when I came to a realization. The announcers on my local Christian radio station helped. They were talking about jobs and promotions and how sometimes we hear God calling us to these really great opportunities when all of the sudden we are struck with the paralyzing fear of wondering if we can handle whatever it is He’s given us. And that’s when Jeremiah 29:11 sprang to mind.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

I realized in that moment that I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Why? Because God already knows the outcome of the interview. Every single moment of my life has already been mapped out according to His perfect purpose for my life. What’s the “worst” that can happen? I don’t get the job? So be it! God already knows what is going to happen – He has called me for a purpose – so why am I making myself literally sick over something I shouldn’t worry about?

And so in that moment, I prayed. I prayed for peace, and I thanked God for the outcome of the interview, whatever it may be. Because whatever the outcome is I can rest assured that it is what God wants for me. And you know what? I felt better.

Now, I’m certainly not saying that the next time you have a job interview that you shouldn’t prepare for it. It’s a professional courtesy to at least have an idea of what you’re going to say. I’m just saying that there is no reason to make yourself physically sick over it, like I was. Relax. Say a prayer. God’s got this.

And the interview? Went off without a hitch.