Exam Time!

by Ryan Campbell

For some of you that doesn’t mean a great deal, but for most of you it probably means time to get stressed out! So let’s hope this helps.....

Is God really in control? What do you believe? Exams can be an extremely stressful time, as Christians, one of the things that we can count on during exams is that we have a God who loves us and is with us all the time.

Exam time can be really tough when it comes to finding some time with God or even when you’re trying to focus on God throughout it all; exams seem to get in the way of everything. So much revision, so many exams and so many people expecting you to do really well! Sometimes it can feel like it’s just too much to cope with.

If you can completely believe that God is in control then there is no reason to worry, or in some cases; FREAK OUT!

In Philippians 4:6-9 it tells us this;

"Do 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.  8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.  9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."

Peace of mind is definitely something that you want during the next month or so. No one wants to spend every minute of everyday worrying about whether they got that 10 mark question right or wrong! In verse 6 we’re told “Do not be anxious about anything”, God doesn’t tell us things like this is we can’t do it. If you focus on YOUR strength and all of YOUR attributes, of course you’ll panic; of course you’ll become stressed!

How about focusing on God and the Holy Spirit that lives inside of you? The Holy Spirit gives you the power to have amazing Faith, with the Holy Spirit you will be able to trust God beyond YOUR ability and with this will come peace! No more freaking out!

However, even if you continue to worry and get completely stressed out over this next while. God is in total control!

I’ve seen my friends panic time and time again over GCSE results, AS levels, A levels and whether or not they are going to get into the university they wanted. Sometimes it hasn’t turned out the way they expected but over time they’ve came to realise that God has this amazing plan for their lives and it’s what he wants.

So try to relax and focus on God throughout this next month. Even if you can’t relax and you’re going to continue to be stressed for a while just remember one thing.....

GOD IS IN CONTROL.