Oct 28, 2015
by Gabi Osborn
Boulder SDB Church, CO
Contrary to popular belief, being a teenager is hard. It brings the struggles of high school, extracurricular activities, piles of homework, college searches, part-time job applications, trying to fit in, learning how to maintain relationships, and so much more. It’s easy to be consumed with these things. It seems like you’re being swallowed up by due dates, demands from coaches, and requests from parents. We take it all on thinking we’re some kind of superhuman and before we know it, we snap. Something tiny suddenly seems like the end of the world and this perfectly balanced system comes crashing down. Trust me, we’ve all been there.
I know this feeling as well as anybody, and most of the time I’m too stubborn to ask for help. While I’m being absorbed by these worldly things, I often forget to look to God. When you have a constant checklist of things that need to be done, it’s easy to push God to the side, thinking, “Do I really need to have a set prayer time today?”
or “It wouldn’t hurt anything if I skipped Bible study this week, would it?” These statements couldn’t be more wrong. God doesn’t want us to be so wrapped up in the things of this world that we shut Him out. In fact, He wants to help us. And if I’m being completely honest, we can’t do it without Him.
The Bible is full of scripture that tells us to give everything to God rather than be in a constant state of stress. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” We see something similar to this in Philippians 4:6-7: “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.”
So as the school year progresses and you find yourself being overtaken by standardized tests, college essays, sports, volunteer hours, homework, and whatever else you may be involved with, remember, you’re not alone. Turn to God rather than turning from Him, and He will help you tackle whatever comes your way.