Have you ever been beside yourself and upset? I have numerous times. I wrote about one small incident on March 14th titled “A Pocket full of Promises”. But what do I do when i feel like this: worried, upset, or a sense of no control? I give it up to God, pray, and try to recall bible verses.
I asked some teenagers here with me today to give me a time when they felt anxious and what they did about it. “Exam time!” One teen, Savannah, said she prayed to God the night before to help her focus on the test, be able to understand what was being asked, and to help her remain calm. Good advice.
The Olympics are taking place now. Think about the Olympians who are participating. The years of practice they’ve endured. The time away from family, friends, and life as a “normal” young adult knows it. Let alone the pressure of wanting to bring honor to your country. A friend of mine sent me a news article about Gabby Douglas, this year’s women’s’ gymnastics all-around gold medal winner. Woohoo!!! Gabby was quoted saying in a US Weekly interview, “Right before a competition I pray and listen to music.” When asked by the press how she focuses and stays calm when surrounded by the immense pressure of the Olympic competition, Gabby said that she meditates on bible scripture. She tweeted the morning before the competition, “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me.” Yes! she quoted Plasm 103:2. She was unashamed to let the world know about God. Think about all the followers on Twitter and readers of that article that she was able to share this powerful and godly example of how to handle yourself in a tough situation. What an awesome example from a young lady for us all.
In today’s “Walking in the Word” we read in Psalm 94:18-19, “And if the LORD had not helped me, I would have been silenced by death. I know I was ready to fall, but, LORD, your faithful love supported me.”
When you feel like you are slipping, God will take hold of you and help you. When you are upset and beside yourself, God will calm you down and cheer you up.
Whether you are dealing with simple scary situations, exams, competition, death, etc., remember that God will help you. Cry out to Him in prayer. Have faith. Trust in Him and don’t let go. And whatever you do, bring glory and honor to Him! Thank Him for supporting you.
Blessings to you!