I’m too blessed to be stressed !!

I’m too BLESSED to be STRESSED !!



I remember when I first heard this saying. I thought it was kinda cute, But I never really understood it. I just thought yeah I’m blessed so that means I can’t be stressed. However, with exam season kicking in and revision at it’s peak...I had to put that into practice. The months of May and June are when people are under the most pressure. Exams, deadlines, coursework, jobs and promotions. I know for a fact that as a Law student the workload right now is immense. the other day I sat there and though "How exactly am I blessed and how do I stop myself from getting stressed?" SIMPLE. Read the Bible.




Now I know that seems like a shock horror. Read the bible?!! When I haven’t even finished reading the key concepts of misrepresentation in contract law (Law stuff for those of you who were crazy enough to study law lol). But it really does help. As Psalm 9:9 points out "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble". So there is no better time than when you’re feeling pressured to fall on your knees.




The Bible has some powerful scriptures that you can use as memory verses right before exams or when you’re starting revision to help you realize that you’re not alone. Last Sunday, I went to church and noticed about half of the youth were missing...at first I thought: where’s this party I missed out on boy?! Then I realised it was the beginning of exam season, so everyone was saying: “I think I’m just gonna stay at home and revise”. It seems like a wise thing to do right? Stay at home, reduce the amount of time you spend outside to do your work. But it is far from wise; in fact it’s the biggest mistake you could EVER do!




Exam season should be the time when you’re at church the MOST. The time when you focus on God more because as humans we tend to over do it sometimes. Thinking that, If I just revise non stop, then surely I will pass. And yes that is true but Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight". That goes for exams too! You can revise for a whole day but it is God that gives you the memory to retain it. It is God that gives you the knowledge to understand it and it is God that gives you the strength and courage to revise. So you can’t do it on your own...you really can’t. And when you do think that you did it by yourself, you’re wrong! He was there all along 

Another reason why turning to God is important during times of stress is because He comforts you. There’s times when I have come home after 9 hours in the library, and I’m, tired, hungry, frustrated, my body hurts and I just want to sleep

but then I remember Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest". And I literally just go to Him, I get on my knees and lay everything that’s on my heart to Him. Remember, prayer is a CONVERSATION with God, there isn’t a set way of doing it nor do you have to say certain things in a specific way. But just opening up to God is the beginning of the one-on-one connection needed to open the floodgates of heaven.





Funnily enough yesterday I was praying and then I just went silent, I just stopped praying because I remembered something my pastor told me. If prayer is a conversation, "make time to LISTEN to what God is saying" as well. When you listen to God, there’s so much that can come out of it and it may just be the answer to a problem question you’ve been struggling with. I’m telling you, God works in weird, amazing ways; you never know what He’s got in store for you!




The book of Psalms is such an amazing book when it comes to leaning on God for strength because not only does it say we should trust the Lord with all our hearts but it tells you WHY as well. I encourage all of you to read it! Did u know that "Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing?" (Proverbs 34:10) So that means everything and anything that is good in the eyes of God, you will have. So you can’t fail with God on your side...that’s impossible!

My friend, even during the times when you take your eyes off Jesus, He never takes His eyes off you. And when you cry out to Him, He will immediately stretch out His hand to catch hold of you. You will not go under. These exams can never get the better if you! What doesn't kill you can only make you stronger.



I remember I used to think, God can’t get my grades up! I need another 62% to get an A but God says in (Jeremiah 32:27) "See, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me?" Stress is not your portion in Jesus’ name. You will do fine in your exams...no infact you will excel!
Just put God first and you won’t be disappointed.



That’s not to say, spend your whole day praying and don’t revise because God will reveal the answers on the day! "Those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied". {Proverbs 13:4} God isn’t a slave trader, if you work for Him, you will get paid! Work your socks off mate...It will all pay off in the end!

I wish all you guys the very best in your exams, coursework, deadlines and any other pressures you have right now. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Phillipians 4:13)
Success and favour is yours in Jesus name.
Amen.


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