Rejoice Always!

The spring semester has started and I am quickly reminded of how stressful college is. I believe the first week of school is one of the best and worst. In that week, most teachers only go over the syllabus, tell you how the semester is going to go and then let you out early with no homework to worry about. Pretty easy, right? But even though that seems fairly simple, you have to go to 4-5 (or more) classes and hear from all of the professors the many things you are going learn, the many projects you will have to complete, and how important each grade is. Some professors even remind you that they do not give bonus and they will not feel sympathy for you when they receive the infamous "I need some points to bring my grade up. Is there anything I can do for extra points?" e-mail that you might be sending at the end of the semester. I left every class the first week telling myself "You cannot skip. You cannot procrastinate. You have to do good." But even this prep talk leaves me feeling stressed, because in the back of my mind I know I will fail these three things at some point this semester.

I, like many high school and college students, struggle with being constantly stressed and worried. It's not a good feeling at all. And why is that?

Because the feelings of being stressed and worried is not from God. 

I've been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan over the past few months. There are three pages of this book completely focused on stress. I have read these three pages so many times, because they are written so amazingly. Francis starts off by explaining his worries that he used to have, making himself relatable to the reader. But then he reminds us of Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again, rejoice! This verse doesn't tell us to rejoice only when times are going great, but it's a command for us rejoice always. Yes, that means even on finals week. This verse is followed up by "Don't be anxious about anything" in verse 6. This realization was so eye-opening to me. Just realizing that God didn't create us for feelings of stress and worry brought me a fulfilling peace.

Francis then writes:

"When I am consumed by my problems- stressed out about my life, my family, and my job-I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. In other word's that I have a 'right' to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities." 

This quote made me believe that worry and stress can come out of selfishness of my own life. If I take a step back to realize that my focus should be on God and not on myself, I wouldn't feel the pressure to have everything perfect and in order all of the time.

The next page from this book is one that I wish I could copy and hand out to every student on campus. I don't think it could have been written any better.

Francis explains to the readers exactly what worry and stress are and what that means for us:

"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what is happening in our lives.

Stress says that the things that we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control.

Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional... Worry and stress declare our tendency to forget that we have been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won't be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God's strength, our problems are small, indeed." 

Every time I have felt stressed or worried, I come back and read this one part. In this, Francis reminds me how substantial God is and how minuscule my problems really are.

I know it can be hard to focus on God in times where everything is life is weighing down on your shoulders, but He will always be waiting for us to ask Him to take our burdens. He tells us in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

So, next time your feeling overcome by worry and stress, re-read what Francis Chan says about these burdens and remember that Jesus wants to take your burdens and commands you to rejoice always!

With love,

As the Semester Ends

Allie, Winston, Catherine and me one day before our photography class! What great, Christ-loving friends I have made through this class.

As the busy school life filled with endless projects, tests and homework dwindles down and the excitement of winter break starts rising, I can look back on this past semester and I am overwhelmed with joy and content. In the past 5 months so many new friendships have formed. I can't even begin to explain how much God has blessed me and answered my prayers further than I could have imagined. So many memories have been made and I wish I had a picture of each one so maybe I could share my happiness with everyone else. 

Camille, Emily and I headed back to Baton Rouge after an AMAZING weekend in Waco, TX for World Mandate in September!

Over these passed few months I have realized how great and amazing God's love for me is. Everyday I've been able to wake up and feel a full but also hungry heart. Full, because I know I have all I need in Christ, but hungry because I will never stop wanting to know more of Him. I am able to look back on the journal I have kept over this past year and see the way I have grown in my relationship with Jesus. I love being able to read through and see how Jesus has walked with me the entire year. The more I sought after Him, the more evident He appeared in my life. 

A little over half a year ago, I started attending Antioch Community Church. I know without a doubt that God had a calling on my life to be apart of this church.  The people here are filled with the love of God and have a fire in them that drives them to be world changers. Every week during the semester, we all come together in groups called Life Group! We eat, dance, worship, laugh, pray and do life together. Life group is something that has changed my life in such an incredible way. I don't think I would have made most of my friendships and grown in my walk with Christ without Life Group and these incredible college students.

Faith and me before our Life Group Christmas party! 

The most phenomenal thing that happened this semester was when all of our college students raised up money to purchase my best friend Faith and her family a car. Faith's family was in need and our college students were so excited to give what they had to help. We presented the car to her at one of our monthly college services and she was so SO shocked! I remember being so nervous that day, praying that I wouldn't give the surprise away some how. Thankfully I didn't and we all got to see the joy on her face as she saw the car for the first time. I don't think there was a dry eye during this moment. If you would like to see a picture from this you can view my Instagram post on it here. 

Sara and I at Tsunami's in Baton Rouge celebrating her 21st birthday!

This past semester has been BEYOND perfect. Looking back only makes me more excited to keep moving forward to see what else God has in store.  I just want to post a few more pictures from this past semester before my very first blog post comes to an end. 

Bear, Sara and I at the mall at 4 AM for black friday. He was working... we were shopping.

Disney World with my family!

Life Group Halloween party with Bear, Faith & Alex!

Faces painted for Bear's Project with Alexis & Ali!

 Genn, Faith and I celebrating fiesta style for Amanda's 21st birthday!

Taking selfies at World Mandate with Michael, Brandon, TJ & Jonathan! 

This just about wraps it all up. I can't wait to write about all the adventures in life I'll get to experience and all of the new ways I am shown God's love and beauty.

With love,