You're overwhelmed, on a level of tired you have never experienced, probably physically ill and just trying to make it through the next day. It's definitely the middle of the semester.
As college students, this point in the year can take a huge toll on us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually if we don't take hold of this weight bearing down on us and give it to the Lord. When we are at our breaking point in the semester, 1,000 things can get in between us and peace. It's so important to keep our eyes focused our Heavenly Father, who gives us comfort, peace and rest through today and forever.
1. Matthew 11:28-30.
Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
"Weary and burdened" is the best description of what I start feeling at this point in the year. However, our Father gives us rest from all of it. Fixing our eyes on Him quiets our minds and gives us peace and comfort when we have nothing more to give.
2. Matthew 6:25-34.
This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they? Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying? And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don't labor or spin thread... If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown out tomorrow, won't He do much more for you- you of little faith? So don't worry... your heavenly Father knows that you need these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
This passage puts everything into perspective. If God cares so dearly for the birds and the grass, how can we question his care for us? He knows what we need. He knows the cries of our heart. If we continue to seek His glory above all else and continue to become more and more like Jesus (by His grace), He is going to supply us with everything we need. We can't worry about tomorrow when God has work to do through us in this very moment.
3. Psalms 37: 23-24.
A man's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.
As we spend time with Him daily and seek His guidance, he establishes every step we take. We are human and we fail left and right, but God holds our hand through every minute of it. When I think of it this way, how can I let myself be overwhelmed? Our Father in Heaven is holding our hand right now and He will carry you through. Don't be overwhelmed. Give His hand a tight squeeze and keep walking forward with Him.
4. John 14:27.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.
This world is stressful. It is fast-pace, never satisfies and leaves us empty. God doesn't operate in the same way as the world. He is slow to anger, rich in mercy and abounding in love (Psalm 103:8). That sounds nothing like this world. So why would we cling to anything of this world when we have the One who gives us more than we could ever imagine? How can we continue to let this world weigh us down when the Lord offers us peace that overcomes it all? Let's not allow our hearts to be troubled, but instead walk in the guidance and the peace of the One who gives us a break from this world -- and this semester.
