Guys (well, people)… I’m 22 now, and I am stressed. This is a weird time of my life that I am less than casually trucking through. In the really short term I have so many projects, papers and tests coming up these next few weeks. But then I am starting my last semester as a college student… that means I’m supposed to have my life figured out.

What am I going to do next year? Do I have to have a job lined up, do I need to move to another city… So basically, this door of my life is closing fast and I don’t know what is going to happen.

Maybe you are about to graduate high school. Maybe you’ve been having problems with your family and you’re not quite sure how to talk about it with anyone. Maybe people are expecting way too many things and you feel like sometimes your head might explode from all of these expectations you put on yourself. Maybe you feel this cloud of sadness over you and you don’t know why everyone else can put on that happy face all of the time…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

So the thing is, all of those things you are putting on yourself can be handled. Every situation resolved. Every emotion at peace. Know why? Because (just like that video we watched a few weeks ago) Jesus is Better. He can take all my fear and hesitation about the future I have, all of the sadness you feel going through the day, all of the anxieties and stresses that come with high school… and bring you an eternal peace.

Is this too good to be true? Actually, yeah. This isn’t something the world teaches you. The world says you should be able to handle everything life throws at you with poise and ease and look model status good doing it… the world doesn’t teach God’s peace.

The world turns from God’s help. Not because it doesn’t need it, but because it doesn’t believe it could possibly exist. It “surpasses all understanding.”

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

What God is saying is simple. Follow Him. Do what He teaches.

When we do these things, there is absolutely nothing that can stop us from feeling God’s love and being in the presence of His everlasting peace. What good news! We should shout this from the rooftops!

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

I don’t need to worry about my future, these projects, where my life is heading. That doesn’t mean I can’t push towards them with earnest and fully seek God in them… but I have peace. Peace.

–TK

So I don’t normally do this, but if there is anyone that needs prayer for peace or prayer for God to calm you in your life, in any situation that you are in, I encourage you to fill out the quick little form right below me. You can put as much or as little as you want, your real name or not, but this will be completely confidential within the youth staff here at First Baptist. I pray that you know that you are loved. You are never alone in any trials or troubles that seem to overwhelm you. God bless you and have a happy Thanksgiving!