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Under
pressure - We’ve all faced it and we
all have different ways of dealing with it,
but can God really make a difference in how
we feel about our year-end exams?
A crowded room filled with bright students,
heads bowed, pens scratching furiously over
the exam that will determine their future.
He is sweating, his heart is pounding, the
clock is ticking, and his eyes begin to glaze
over. What will happen to him, to his future,
if he does not pass this exam?
End of year exams are, for students in the
Western world, a near universal experience.
For most students this is a very trying time.
Some have trained themselves to be able to
handle the situation appropriately. Others
become paralyzed by the situation, unable
to function properly. Still others try to
flee the situation any way they can. Tragically,
every year this results in an increase in
the number of teen suicides.
There is obviously a need to find some perspective
here. Pressure is very real, and we will face
it all through our lives. But we can become
consumed by the moment, and assign to it more
importance than it deserves. A test, no matter
how important, cannot define who you are.
Those who are able to handle the pressure
without imploding do so because they are prepared.
This is not just about practicing taking tests
and studying, though that is clearly essential.
But it is also essential to practice knowing
who you are and who God is, to practice perspective.
Let’s take a look at a biblical test
to see how this may be done. The prophet Elijah
had just faced a massively pressure-packed
situation on Mount Carmel as he faced off
against a King and a Queen, 950 dancing prophets,
and a couple of false gods (1 Kings 18-19).
God showed himself to be faithful on the mountain
when he caused fire to fall from heaven and
burn up Elijah’s sacrifice, and yet
in the following chapter we see Elijah in
a crisis of confidence, running for his life
from the threats of the Queen. He panicked,
and he forgot the lesson in perspective that
God had just given him with the holy barbeque.
Elijah fled to the desert and began complaining
that he was alone in the world, against the
world. God dealt with this first by giving
Elijah food. God is our provider, and without
him we cannot complete our journey. He wants
to give us strength for the tests we have
to face. This is an important perspective
for us to be mindful of.
Secondly, God revealed himself to Elijah in
a gentle whisper. Even when it feels like
we have been utterly abandoned, we can rest
in the comfort that God is Present. Sometimes,
however, we neglect to hear him when he speaks,
surrounded as we are by the fire and thunder
of our own lives. We place enormous pressure
on our own shoulders when we believe that
our plans and schemes have the utmost importance.
But God has not left us alone, and God’s
plans are to prosper us, not to harm us.
Finally, God answered Elijah’s complaint
that he was all alone in the fight. It seems
that God had reserved 7000 followers who still
served the one true God. Elijah was far from
alone, but in the face of pressure he had
retreated into a very self-absorbed shell.
He cast himself as the martyred and miserable
hero, when God was calling him to be part
of something much bigger.
All of this was a process of God giving Elijah
a true perspective on the situation he was
in. No one can really step outside of himself
or herself to witness things objectively,
but if we practice listening to the voice
of God and acknowledging his presence, he
will give us glimpses of a reality far broader
and deeper than we can now see.
Everyone faces pressure. Everyone reacts differently.
But if we train ourselves to search out God’s
perspective instead of our own, we will be
better prepared to respond appropriately to
pressure when the time of testing comes. |
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Youthwork -
The Partnership ...
ALOVE,
Youthwork Magazine, Youth For Christ, Spring Harvest and
Oasis are working together to equip and resource the Church
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