Listen

Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Think

We live in an anxious world. There is a lot of pressure on you to show up, to do better, to make better grades, etc. The pressure put on you to succeed and figure out who you are at an early age is overwhelming. Mix this pressure with a pandemic, and one can wonder when it will be enough.

There will be times in your life when you feel stress and anxiety. I would imagine you are feeling this now as you begin a new school year. We worry if it will be normal. We are filled with unknowns right now.

The confidence we have is that when we are overwhelmed, our cries are heard. Jesus knows what it is like to walk in this world with fear and pressure, yet Jesus walked the path anyway. Jesus chose a path that showed love that invited healing, forgiveness, and peace.

Life is not easy. The comfort of knowing God hears us is what brings the peace we are looking for in these anxious times.

Marnie Fisher-Ingram

Pray

God, the pressure I feel can sometimes feel overwhelming. Help me to trust that you are holding me and that you hear me. Amen.

Go

Go into this world confidently.
Go into this world free from fear.
Go into this world full of peace.
Go into this world with kindness.

Go knowing whatever normal is for you, God loves you. God is with you.

Go.