I'm Stressing Out!!

IM STRESSING OUTTTT!!!

A lot of college students are familiar with the feeling of stressing right before midterms, papers, finals, etc. It is widely accepted to be feeling a little anxious before that Organic Chemistry exam that you HAVE to do well on to go to that top notch medical school so that you can become a cardiovascular surgeon and live in L.A. with that amazing doctor husband of yours, right? We all know the feeling of STRESS! It is so widely accepted to be stressed out in college that when we hear reports about schools having high suicide rates (ahem University of Chicago), we aren’t as surprised or appalled as we should be. Why is this so?

As Christians, we are called to do something a little different. 

In Philippians 4:6-7 it says: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

What??? So I can’t be stressed out as a Christian?? Well... You can be, but that is not what God wants you to do. Remember, God created heaven and earth, by just chilling and saying a couple of words. He created EVERY living creature... in just a couple of days. I truly believe that God did all this, and was chilling the whole time. I feel that God’s days were not spent making things, but just watching things be made according to what he said, then God marvelled in himself and how cool he is for making all this cool stuff. He called Jesus and Holy Spirit over and said, “No, but forreal, this lion is fly right??” “This giraffe, yup, I made that after I made the octopus... aren’t they beautiful??”

God did all this... and we have the nerve to worry about a test?? We have the nerve to worry about our future plans and our goals and if we will fulfill everything we want to? Remember that this God that created every star we can see in the sky and the ones we can’t see... This God is absolutely CRAZY about you!! He LOVES YOU SOOOOO MUCH!! A true understanding of this love helps us understand Jeremiah 29:11 which says: 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 hope and a future.

Wow!! So the God of the Universe (or if you are me, you call him Daddy :)) has good intentions for us?!?!?

Here’s another: Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers

So EVERYTHING... EVERY SINGLE THING works together for my good simply because I love God?? Examples:  I don’t know anything on this entire exam... but I know I love God... everything will work out for my good? Oh so this is going to work out for my good even though I made a -5% on this quiz. I really screwed up by lying and cheating... but because I still love God and have shown it through my true repentance of my sins, this will work out for my good? Sheesh. So as one of my favorite guys on this planet says: WE. CAN. NOT. LOSE.!!! Don’t believe me? Believe God. He can’t lie. 

So when we stress... We tell God that we don’t trust him to take care of us. It shows that we don’t trust his word that if we seek his kingdom first, he will add all things unto us...( matthew 6:33). It also says that we don't truly believe who he is. God is all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing,  and he owns everything!!!! (Remember that he CREATED the professor making your exam!!)

Jesus used an excellent example by showing that the birds don’t store up in barns, yet God provides for them... The flowers are dressed so beautifully, but they don’t do anything and God dresses them anyway... How much more important are we?? WE are made after God’s image and likeness and God sent his son to come get us! (The bible never talks about the bird or flower versions of Jesus, does it???) 

So, no, I am not saying don’t study. I am saying study, then don’t stress. Leave it to the one who is holding us by our right hand (Psalm 73:23) and loves us abundantly. After you have done all you can do... leave it to God. You gave your life to God, right? Therefore it is not yours to worry about any longer. Let him take care of it. ;) 

So what do we do when we feel ourselves begin to stress? 

1. Pray!! Go to God first and ask him to be with you in all that you do and bless all that you do. 

2. Do what you have to do. Do your absolute BEST, and try not to be frantic about it. 

3. Leave the rest to God. You have prayed. Thank him for already doing everything you have asked and blessing your efforts. Allow his peace to settle upon you!!! 

Praise God! Love you guys! Feel free to email back or to post on the FB group!

- Lise, A4C

P.S. Follow us on twitter @a4cnewhope!!! and find us on Facebook!!! A4C New Hope!! Have a blessed week and I am praying for all of you and your midterms!!