It's not a new thought that a college student is stressed out. Really, it's pretty common. So, here I sit in my state of stress and I can't even call it a novelty. I have so many things I have to do... It's really hard to figure out where the line is between being lazy and overworking myself. If I don't do any of my homework or chores- that's lazy. If I insist on doing every homework assignment and every chore or errand to complete perfection- that's overworking myself. Or is it?
Is it lunacy to want to have a clean room, straight A's, work a job, have a rewarding social life, and get enough sleep? Maybe, maybe not. Like I said, I can't figure it out. All I know is I want all of those things. I want straight A's, because I know that it's a huge blessing to be able to go to college. God surely didn't give me a brain and an educational opportunity so I could waste them! And I want a clean room. I spend a lot of time in here studying, and it's so hard to study when all I see is clutter! I want to work a job. It's a life skill, it's a good resume, AND it's food/gas. {Okay, I also want to buy clothes!} The 'rewarding social life' part is pretty obvious. Really, I only called it a 'rewarding social life' because it sounded a lot more mature than 'I want to hang out with my boyfriend and friends a lot'.
Now, about getting enough sleep... Most of you that know me probably know that I need a lot of sleep. For me to really function well I need ten hours a night. {I have friends that get ten hours in three nights, and most college students get ten hours in two nights} I try really hard to not let that hold me back. I'm really quite determined that I can do anything I want to do if I don't give up. But that doesn't mean I don't get discouraged some times.. Like when I feel like I need to stay up really late studying for a test to be prepared, but I know that if I don't get enough sleep I won't be able to concentrate or remember anything anyways. Where's the balance? I have to think through these things through every day. I don't have the luxury of taking energy or sleep for granted. {And, really, few people do}
In the middle of all this, sometimes I forget how amazing my life is.... {'
In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed' -Francesca Battistelli} So, today, I guess what I need is to remember how blessed I am. But, see, the biggest blessing in my life is knowing Christ and His power. So...... I'm just gonna focus on HIS abilities and what HE has already done and is doing- not the things in my little life that I like or dislike.
- He created the world
- He was faithful to Israel
- He did miracles
- He came to earth to save us
- He died for our sins
- He rose again
- He loved sinners
- He taught us truth
- He gave us the Bible, His word
- He enabled us to know Him intimately
- He is faithful
- He is kind
- He is good
- He is powerful
- He knows everything
- He hears us
- He sees us
- He had a plan for our lives before He laid the foundation of the world
- He knit us together
- He never forsakes us
- He adopted us into His family, made us into citizens of heaven
- He walks with us
- He speaks to us
- He is eternal
- He gives us strength
- He is forever truth
- He has offered us justification
- He gave us joy
- He gave us music
- He taught us how to love
- He never changes
- He created beauty
- He teaches us about Himself
- He fulfills our every need
- He provides for us
- He loves us
These are just some things that He brought to my mind... Isn't it cool that He teaches us about Himself? The God who created the universe wants us to know Him intimately and personally, and He makes that possible. What a gift!
'Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God'
2 Corinthians 7:1
'For He chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will- to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves'
Ephesians 1:4-6
'Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all He created'
James 1:16-18
'Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things'
Philippians 4:4-8
