As I sit down to write this blog I am in my final month of University.  Everything I have been working towards for the past four years has been leading up to these exams and assignments… as you might guess, I am feeling quite stressed!
 
It is easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious when exams, big decisions, stressful situations or uncertain times are approaching, I know I do!  This is natural, but a lot of stress can be a bad thing for you- physically, mentally and spiritually.
 
We should try to stay calm when making big decisions, or facing stressful situations – this may include taking some time off, spending time with friends and family, or doing exercise. However, it is also important to remember that God is there for you, and you can reach out to Him when you are facing difficulties. As you approach stressful times remember to do these three things:
 
Give thanks
It may seem strange to begin by giving thanks for a stressful situation, but through these experiences, we can learn a lot about ourselves and God. Thankfully we have a God who cares for us and has a plan for us no matter how well we do on a maths test, or how hard we work for a deadline. God will use this time in our lives according to His will, and whether the outcome is how we want it to be or not, God is in control and ultimately has a better plan for us than we could ever imagine.
 
Make petition
It is important for us not to take all the stress on ourselves and become weighed down with anxiety.  Ask God to help you through this difficult time, and to give you sustenance to stay close to Him and to keep working.  God is there for us in these difficult times. He will strengthen and uphold you and He has placed people in our lives we can trust and talk to when things are getting on top of us.  Remember, you are not alone!
 
Praise Him
Don’t neglect your time with God when you are busy – this is when we need Him most!  Make time to praise God for His faithful provision for us and that He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow - no matter what grade we get, or what decision we make.  We can also praise Him for the position we are in.  When we are overwhelmed by stress we can often forget that we are in a fortunate position: how often do we complain about assignments, exams and classes when we have spent years preparing and praying to get into our school or university? Remember that God has placed you here for a reason, and we should “work willingly”
 
‘Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.’  - Colossians 3:23-24
 
This time can also be used to witness to our non-Christian friends- show them the trust we have in a faithful God through staying calm through difficult circumstances and thanking Him for His provision for us. While it can be easy to get swept up in the pre-exam hysteria as you wait outside the exam hall, remember that no matter what happens, God still loves you and still has a plan for you.
 
Every exam I have taken, I have spent a few moments before I turned the first page to thank Him for the opportunity to have an education and to ask for help during the assessment. It has been a source of calmness and confidence to know I have God on my side throughout the time.  I encourage you to set time aside before you enter any stressful situation to ask God for His nearness and strength.
 
‘You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.’ – Proverbs 19:21
 
Finally, remember that even if things don’t go according to your plan, God has a plan that is infinitely better for us than we could ever imagine.  In my last year of school, I was devastated when I got rejected from my dream university accommodation.  I had applied to a Christian Halls of Residence, and when I didn’t get in, I was so worried about the next stage.  However, in hindsight I can appreciate God had a far better plan for me: I have friends that I made in the flat in first year, and continued to live with through the rest of my time at university, I am confident are friendships that will last for life.  That year also helped me to grow in my faith and learn more about God and myself, things I may never have got to experience if things had gone ‘my way’.
 

‘Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.’  – Ephesians 3:20