How Interviewing Others Helped Me Find My Voice

There was a time when speaking up felt impossible for me.
Not because I didn’t have anything to say… but because fear told me my voice didn’t matter.

I work for a business that operates 25 locations and supports about 120 employees. My title is accountant, but my role is so much more than that. I handle payroll, insurance, sales tax, and so many behind-the-scenes responsibilities that keep everything running. And one of those responsibilities includes interviewing people.

If you would’ve told the younger version of me that I would one day be interviewing others, guiding conversations, and offering encouragement to strangers, I would’ve laughed. I was the person who avoided conflict. The person who shut down when energy felt tense. The person who stayed quiet because confidence felt out of reach.

But God works gently. Slowly. Intentionally.

At first, interviews felt uncomfortable. If someone came in with a rude tone or difficult attitude, I would emotionally shut down. I didn’t like confrontation. I didn’t like tension. I didn’t like feeling exposed.

Yet over time, something started to shift.

With each interview, I learned how to breathe through the nerves.
How to stay grounded.
How to respond instead of retreat.

And more importantly, I began to see the people sitting across from me differently.

Not just as applicants.
But as humans.
As people carrying their own struggles.
As hearts that might need a little kindness.

Now, I intentionally try to encourage those I interact with.
A gentle word.
A smile.
A reminder that they matter.
A moment of dignity in a process that can feel intimidating.

Because times are hard right now. People are tired. People are hurting. People are just trying to survive.

And I’ve learned that sometimes the smallest encouragement can be the very thing someone carries with them for the rest of the day.

The Truth Behind the Growth

What people often don’t see is that growth doesn’t come from comfort.
It comes from showing up scared and doing it anyway.

I didn’t wake up one day confident.
I didn’t suddenly become bold overnight.

This growth came from obedience in small moments.
From choosing not to shrink.
From trusting that God could use even my trembling voice.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.” — Psalm 28:7

God didn’t just help me find my voice for me.
He gave it purpose.

For Anyone Who Feels Like They Don’t Have a Voice

If you’re someone who struggles with low confidence…
If speaking up feels terrifying…
If you often shut down instead of showing up…

You are not broken.
You are not weak.
You are becoming.

God does not rush the process. He develops us slowly, safely, and with compassion.

Your voice matters.
Your growth matters.
Your obedience in the uncomfortable moments matters.

And one day, you’ll look back and realize the very places that once scared you became the places God used to shape you.

Lord,
For every heart reading this that feels afraid, unseen, or unheard—please remind them that their voice has value. Strengthen their confidence, soften their fear, and guide them gently into growth. Help us to use our voices not just for ourselves, but to encourage others in a world that feels heavy.
Amen.

Where is God asking you to speak up, even if your voice feels shaky?

Keep Growing 🤍

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