We’re into the third week of the semester. Unfortunately, syllabi week has long since passed, and our professors are expecting us to do actual work. Exams. Readings. Papers. And worse, these assignments are graded!
Not only do we have assignments in our classes, but we have extracurricular activities and meetings, chapels to attend, making time to work out, eat healthy, and fit sleep and a social life in there somewhere too! Oh, and Mom is nagging us to call her back, for once.
How do we stay encouraged and motivated when the world around us is so overwhelming?
“Even when we aren’t pleased with ourselves, we are still pleasing to God.” Judah Smith.
We get a test back and didn’t do as well as we’d hoped. Or we didn’t study as much as we should have. We said something stupid in class, or in front everyone at a meeting. But God’s opinion of us isn’t rooted in our opinion of us! He loves us no matter how we act or how we perform. We are his children; he sent his one and only Son to die for us! (John 3:16).
“’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 a hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11.
Nothing we do can ruin the plan God has for our lives. Failing that exam? Not getting hired for that internship? Not winning that scholarship? It doesn’t matter. God knew everything that was going to happen in our lives before we were born. Every step we think is off the path, God is working in.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
Has it been a really bad day? Week? Year? Know that God is working it all together for your good.
“I will tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him.” Jesus, Mark 11:23.
This verse tells us two things. The first is that if we believe, anything is possible with God. “What is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27).” The second is that Jesus gave us authority as believers to command things to happen through faith. An example of this is in Acts 3, when Peter heals the crippled beggar with the authority and faith that Christ gave him.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world.” Jesus, John 16:33.
Jesus, flat out, tells us that we will have trouble in this world. Things won’t go the way we want them to, nor the way we expect them to. But we must “take heart,” which means “become encouraged” because Christ has overcome the world and the grave.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Philippians 4:13.
Growing up, my mom mad me memorize this verse. How thankful I am for her and for this verse! All through high school, and even now, if I tell her I feel like I can’t do something, she sings this little song “I can do all things, all things, all things, through Christ who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13!”
“It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30.
I’m a science major on the pre-med track. There are so many times where I don’t feel smart enough or capable enough to keep going on this path. But then I remember this verse. I am in Christ, therefore He is my wisdom through God.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.
If your friends or family doesn’t support you in a decision, know that the Lord is beside you!
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.
God cares for us in such a deep, personal way. He wants us to come to Him with our fears and anxieties, as well as the things we rejoice about.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.
We can’t be afraid of failure -- that isn’t how God designed us to live. We have to trust God, and sometimes take adventures and risks to follow the plan He has for us.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.
There’s no doubt about it, college is expensive. One of the biggest ways to trust God is with your finances.
“Come to me,all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
During the stress of life, spending time in the Word and in prayer will bring the greatest peace and rest!
