When life is too much and you are overwhelmed try these three things and I guarantee it will lift you out of your despair. It works for me every time. 1. Read the Word - try Psalm 28:6-8 Bless the Lord because he has listened to my request for mercy! The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts him. I was helped, my heart rejoiced, and I thank him with my song. The Lord is his people’s strength; he is a fortress of protection for his anointed one. 2. Listen to some worship music - try Elevation, Hillsong or Bethel (I love King of my Heart - see below). 3. Pray - tell God your problems, ask him for forgiveness and for help.
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My daughter's year group at school started a prayer group that meets before school once a week. They share short devotions, prayer and praise points and pray. If your school has a prayer group consider joining it. If not, why not start one. Matthew 18:19-20 says, Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Praying is powerful, but there is something powerful when Christians get together to pray.
Psalm 119:11 says, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. I have found that memorising scripture has been very useful in my Christian walk. Luke 6:45 says A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. If you fill your heart (and mind) with good things like the Word, then that will flow over into your words and actions.
Check out Lo Tanner's 3 Bible Study Habits that will Change Your Life. In brief they are:
1. Use highlighters 2. Keep a notebook or journal with your Bible 3. Start your study with a prayer. Her article goes into more detail and has some useful links too. I have a confession to make - I complain too much. Philippians 2:14 tells us to do everything without complaining. Why do we complain so much when we have so much to be grateful for? It's human nature. In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul went on to say that we should not complain and live clean lives so that we will shine like bright lights. If we complain, we are no different to everyone else in the world and our witness is compromised.
If you need some more motivation, perhaps you could set up a complaints fine jar at your house, similar to a swearing fine jar except for complaints. Complaining is being ungrateful, so the opposite of complaining is gratitude. Every time you feel tempted to complain, think of something you have to be grateful for. Hello Modesty is a fashion blog by teenage Rebekah which showcases dressing modesty. It seems that most girls are trying to get away with wearing less these days but Rebekah shows that you don't have to dress like a nun to be modest.
Finding your way around your Bible can be a bit daunting but these Bible tabs will make it a lot easier. You can download them from www.timewarpwife.com. Alternative you could design your own or buy some from your local Christian book store.
Here is some great advice from Cary Schmidt who is a Baptist pastor in the US. The first three are:
1. You are of eternal value and significance because God doesn't make junk. 2. You have an amazing contribution to make to the lives of others. 3. Your only hope for real happiness is a is a real, private, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To find out more and read the others see the full article here. Many Christians struggle with sadness, depression and anxiety. They feel that they shouldn't experience these feelings because of their faith in God. But there are many factors to consider, including the fact that, as teenagers, the part of your brain that controls your emotions isn't fully developed until your mid twenties. Also, many mental health issues are caused by chemical imbalances in your body so you can't just snap out of it and may need medication. The Christianity Today website has some advice to offer on this matter. It can be very helpful to see a counsellor, even if you're not clinically depressed. There are many Christian counsellors around too. The Bible is a great help at times like this too. Psalm 23: 4 and 6 says, I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.
Kickstart is a camp run by the Christian Unions for Christians starting university in Perth in 2017. Find out more here.
Check out the Christian Union at your university for similar camps near you. |
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