The Depths That Define Us: How Secret Struggles Build Public Strength

The integrity of a building lies in the foundation upon which it is built.

If you’ve ever gazed in awe at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building since 2010, you might have marveled at its impressive height and sparkling exterior. Rising 2,717 feet above Dubai’s skyline, it’s an impressive example of human ingenuity and ambition. But what if I told you the real marvel isn’t what you see above ground, but what lies deep beneath?

The Unseen Pillars: What the Burj Khalifa teaches us about life's true foundations.

The Burj Khalifa owes its enduring stability not just to its design, but to its extraordinary foundation—an underpinning so remarkable, its reputation nearly matches that of the Burj Khalifa itself. To protect this architectural giant from the relentless desert winds and its own staggering weight, engineers constructed a 12.14-foot-thick concrete raft as its base. But that’s only the beginning!

This massive slab rests atop 192 reinforced concrete piles. Each pile is nearly 5 feet wide, over 141 feet long, and driven 164 feet into the earth. Not only are these piles embedded deep underground, but they’re also filled with concrete for extra strength and stability. Together, they form a hidden fortress against the forces that could topple even the mightiest structure. How impressive!

What stands tall and proud above ground is only possible because of what’s established far below the surface—out of sight, uncelebrated, but absolutely essential.

Success: More Than Meets the Eye

In life, we often admire the people who seem to have “made it”—those whose achievements tower above the rest. Their influence, wealth, or talent is as visible as the Burj Khalifa against the skyline. But just as with this skyscraper, what you see is only possible because of what you don’t see.

Behind every public triumph are private battles, sacrifices, and disciplines—deep, unseen foundations that uphold the visible “building” of success. Many have endured their own “deep, dark places,” struggling through challenges, rejection, or obscurity. These experiences, often buried where no one can see, forge resilience and character that supports future elevation.

Think of the reinforced piles beneath the Burj. They are the long nights, the acts of integrity when no one is watching, the persistence through hardship, and the faith that sustains when dreams seem buried deep underground.

Scriptural Wisdom: Building on the Rock

Scripture speaks powerfully about the importance of solid foundations. In Psalm 11:3 we read, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (KJV) And Jesus teaches in Luke 6:47-48,

“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them… is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

The message is clear: the heights you attain are inseparable from the depths you’re willing to go in preparation, faith, and obedience.

Questions for Reflection: What Are You Building On?

• Are you investing in your unseen foundation—your character, your faith, your integrity?

• What disciplines or sacrifices are you willing to make in the “deep, dark” places, far from the spotlight?

• Are you focused more on the visible façade or the invisible strength beneath?

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A Call to Dig Deeper

Before you rush to build your dreams sky-high, pause to consider what’s holding you up. Don’t be tempted by shortcuts or hollow victories. The tallest building in the world stands not because of what’s above the surface, but because of what’s buried deep below.

Your life’s true power and endurance will be determined by what you build in secret—the depth of your foundations. Make it your priority to lay them with care, guided by wisdom and faith.

Remember: The integrity of your “building” is only as strong as the foundation you’re willing to labor over in the hidden places. Dig deep, build wisely, and let your life stand the test of time.

Coach

Kathryn

Upon the FOUNDATION rests the integrity of the building!