大象传媒

Good morning

Many of the young people in my church鈥檚 youth group have just completed their GCSE and A-Level exams, and are very excited they now have a long summer ahead chilling, going to festivals, or perhaps flying away to sunnier climbs. It鈥檚 interesting watching the different approaches youngsters have to study, revision and exams.

Some have shut themselves away for the whole exam period, and 鈥� if they succeeded in keeping away from their smartphones 鈥� have apparently barely been in communication with the world; some have been incredibly stressed and anxious, suddenly panicking that they know nothing and fearing they can鈥檛 sit the exams at all.聽 While others have been remarkably chilled, trying to maintain a healthy balance of study and other things like coming to youth group, church and seeing friends. One thing鈥檚 for sure, the patterns established at that time of life do tend to persist.

For most of us the season of exams is probably long gone, I鈥檓 grateful for that, not least because given that I usually type these days, I know I鈥檇 struggle to write for 2 or 3 solid hours if I had to.

But even without exams we inevitably face a variety of difficult or stressful situations at any and every time of life. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes 鈥淒o not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.鈥�

Father God, when we face times of worry or stress, may we remember to bring all things before you, the one who brings peace. Amen