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When I was about 14 years old, I met the world’s strongest man, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. At that time, the record books said he had lifted 6,270 pounds! The year I was born, Paul Anderson also won the Olympic gold medal in the super heavyweight division at the Munich Olympics.

I not only met him, but I participated in one of his weightlifting exhibitions, along with about 15 people who sat on a table he picked up. And… I also helped move his weights! I’ll qualify that by saying I rolled a barbell with some weights to the elevator.

About 20 years later, I met another man who was then considered the world’s strongest man. He owned a fitness facility in Auburn and also did strength training with Auburn University athletes. I spoke with Bill Kazmaier a few times. In the 1980s, Kazmaier won world powerlifting titles in five different years. While I did talk with him on a couple of occasions, he never asked me for any advice concerning his weightlifting!

Proverbs 24:10 says,“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”

Paul Anderson and Bill Kazmaier’s physical strength was not small. These were huge and powerful men—impressive in action and impressive just to look at. But I don’t think the wise king of Proverbs was talking about physical strength. Stressing and exercising our muscles, then resting them appropriately, does build physical strength and endurance. But this principle is also true in other areas of life.

As I wrap up nearly 20 years of service as a college president, I can assure you that I have faced significant adversity—more than I’d like to remember. During these two decades, there have been difficult situations involving finances, accreditation, public relations, human resources, compliance, and so much more. Life is filled with challenges, and even—maybe especially—for someone seeking God’s Kingdom, you will face opposition and adversity.

When we surrender our struggles to the Lord and seek His help, He does provide. Sometimes His help is instantly visible; other times it becomes clear over time. The adversity we face along the way transforms us daily into His image.

Even today, as I end my time as president, there are issues that are hard—some as hard as I’ve ever faced. But I know that if I had encountered this adversity 10 years ago, I might not have been strong enough to get through it. God builds in us spiritual resources that give us the strength to endure until the end.

Over these many years, I’ve quoted this verse from Philippians to myself more times than I can count:

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

As God continues His good work in us, we may not see how He brings it all to completion until the day we meet Him face to face. But we can be sure that He is developing strength in us each day as we acknowledge our weakness before Him.

It’s a funny thing to think about, but according to Scripture, God shows His strength as we surrender our weakness:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

So, when we confess that our strength is small, God steps in by His Spirit and makes us strong enough to endure until our assignment is finished. And as long as we have breath, He will likely give us another assignment—one that once again leads us to say the problem is bigger than we are… and once again, He will show up.

I will never be strong enough to be called the “world’s strongest man.” But I can step out of my current role fully trusting that God has shown up in my life time and time again, providing everything I needed—even as I confessed my weaknesses to Him.

And one more thing:

I will continue to write as long as the Lord gives me something to share!