When stress comes, find help and comfort in God and His Word
Posted by The Skyliner on April 21st, 2010Jessicah Peters
Staff Writer
The stresses of life seem overwhelming at times, especially to young college students reaching the end of the spring semester. When the burdens of balancing studying, working and socializing become too much, it is amazing to think about how awesome God is.
In Numbers 11, the Israelite people complain about the hardships of life because they are hungry and have no food. Moses becomes aggravated with the people and says in verse 14, “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.” Yet God provides manna from heaven and quail to eat.
Students frequently become stressed towards the end of the semester and get aggravated at professors for making every paper due at the same time or having three tests in one day.
I believe the best remedy for students who know that stressful days are ahead is to open God’s Word and see that He is willing to take the entire burden off our shoulders if we just ask Him.
Every morning I try to remember to ask God to help me throughout the day, whether it is asking for help to focus in class or pass the test I have.
I find it comforting to know that, no matter how hard my day is going to be, God is going to be right there with me.
A few weeks ago, my church’s praise band sang the song “At the Foot of the Cross” by Kathryn Scott. It encouraged me to remember that no matter what is going on in my life, Jesus can take it all. The chorus says, “I trade these ashes in for beauty and wear forgiveness like a crown/Coming to kiss the feet of mercy/I lay every burden down at the foot of the cross.”
For seniors, it can be an exciting yet burdening time with only two full weeks of their college academics left; however, Jeremiah 29:11 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.” Seniors might be frightened to make the next step in beginning a career, but God knows exactly what to do, and we just have to trust Him.
I have always wanted a plan for my life. Last spring, I broke down with the heavy burden of not knowing what I should do with my life. I was not sure that a print media major was for me or not, but God had a plan. I continually sought His will all summer. I believe that God showed me that being in mass communication was His will for me by my being hired at The Greenville News.
When times are tough, people want to automatically give up; however, when there is that voice saying “life is too hard, just quit,” God is right there saying “just keep going.” When God is asked to help with the burdens of going to classes, studying and working, He is always faithful and never leaves.
So when students, faculty or staff are having a stressful day, God’s Word is the perfect place to leave everything that has gone wrong and be comforted by His loving words.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 12