Hope during your season of waiting

I just wanted to remind those of you out there that have forgotten (while also reminding myself) that God is so so so good and when we think that we are missing out, it's just because He has a much more perfect plan for us.  We just see the here and now and often forget to look outside of our box and see how our disappointments could possibly be for the better. I vow to continue to try my hardest to keep the faith that God knows what He's doing and knows what's best for me more than I do.  Just when you think you can't take anymore, God finds a way to surprise you with the most richest blessings! Being patient, keeping faith, and (here's the kicker) attempting to not be so darn anxious while you wait is what pleases God the most. It also makes the ride a lot more bearable.

I hope that if you think you're missing out, or  you're bummed because something's not going your way, to please remember that God loves you and only wants what's best for you.  We often think we know what's best for us, but we don't. We really don't.

The following are some Bible verses and random quotes that I had found years ago (I'm sure it was during a time when Alex and I were not dating and I was having a hard time), but I just found so much hope in Bible verses and quotes. I still do.  I think they're super relatable and  say words that you often can't come up with yourself.  My current issues of waiting does not have anything to do with Alex. (So now y'all, this doesn't have to do with marriage, him proposing, anything of that nature. So hold the comments if you will.)  But these are something I held highly at one point, and I know that someone out there will be able to use them today for whatever it is they're going through.  They all are pretty ambiguous, meaning that they aren't specific to one area. You could be able to apply them to any period of waiting that you're currently going through.  I hope this finds it's way to those who need it.  :-)

"God may not always give us answers, but he always gives us grace."

"Sometimes it's best to forget how you feel and remember what you deserve." 

I understand that it's not understandable; only You, Lord, know EVERYTHING.

The bigger picture is so much more beautiful. ♥

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for but certain of what we do not see." -Hebrews 11:1

"Beginnings are scary. Endings are usually sad, but it's what's in the middle that counts.

So, when you find yourself at the beginning, just give hope a chance to float up. And it will." -Hope Floats

"Waiting for God's perfect timing can save you years of heartbreak.

Remember, God is faithful and always keeps His promises...even if you have to wait."

"Always remember, it's not what He's keeping from you, it's what He's SAVING FOR you."

Bible Verse Love on Pinterest

I am house-sitting for a friend's family & watching American Idol.
I need to
u-n-w-i-n-d
& how better to do that than share some Pinterest love with y'all?? :-)

Tonight's Pinterest sharing theme:

Bible Verse Love ♥

Follow me on Pinterest :-)

My 2 Cents on Valentine's Day

Well, my Valentine is I-don't-even-know-how-many hours away. He's training for his new job in Jackson, Mississippi and therefore away from me on Valentine's Day. Hopefully when he gets home we can go to Outback {our favorite} and go see The Vow. {Gosh I CAN NOT WAIT to go see that movie!} Being apart this Valentine's Day, the first thing I did this morning was send Alex a text that said something like "♥happy valentine's day lover♥ " & he sent me a reply text that said: "Happy valentines day to you too. There's a little something for you in the extra bed room in the top drawer of the white plastic drawers." I just want to say that I think it's precious that he took the time to think about me before he left town and thought of a way for me to be surprised in some way shape or form on Valentine's Day, even from a couple states away. He gets major points for this. ;) 

Seriously guys, all a girl wants for Valentine's Day is a little pre-meditated surprise.

That's it.

It doesn't have to be complicated, fancy, or expensive.

JUST SURPRISE HER. And PLAN AHEAD.

She can tell when you picked up a rose from the gas station on the way home, and she'll know that you did not plan ahead.

{This happened to me in the past. True story.} 

I hope everyone had a happy Valentine's day no matter what your relationship status is! I hope it wasn't spent in anger, resentment, or jealousy because you spent this one single day of the year not attached. It's just not worth it. Also, think about all the ladies that aren't getting to spend V-Day with their man who's deployed. Or the widow who is spending her first V-Day alone. Seriously, your I-hate-all-things-Valentine's-Day twitter updates & Facebook statuses aren't bringing anything positive to this world OR helping you out. So rejoice you have a God that LOVES you and will ALWAYS be your Valentine!!! 

"This is how we know what love is: 

Jesus Chris laid down his life for us."

-1 John 3:16

Inspiration

I read this and thought this would be a GREAT Bible passage to place in my future counseling office as a reminder to what I believe I am called to do!

The Year of the LORD’s Favor

 ¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,
² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
 ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.

{Isaiah 61:1-3}

Digging in the Word!

I am loving doing my morning devotions! I've learned if I can shower & {here's the key:} dry my hair at night, then I have made time in the mornings to spend some time in the Word. It is making such a positive difference in my day! They don't take a lot of time and are actually really enlightening! What probably takes the most time is sharing what I have learned on in my Facebook group. {Someone let me know if those links don't work please!} It's just too good of information not to share! It especially drives me to share when I get comments, etc. of people telling me they've read it & enjoyed it. It's my way I've found to share the Word of God...so I guess that makes getting up at the crack of dawn worth it! :)

Here is today's verses. I have a parallel Bible and it has The Message and the NIV versions in it. I like reading both and comparing them. Here below I have combined the two to form the verses that speak to my heart the most.

"Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or whine, Israel, saying
'God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me'?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?

God doesn't come & go. God lasts.

He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
He knows everything, inside & out. [The MSG]
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired & weary
and young men stumble & fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." [NIV]

-Isaiah 40:27-31

I have also really been enjoying reading Proverbs 31 Ministries' Facebook postings and  the devotions they post on their website. I get their daily texts/devotions on my phone & they are ALL SO GOOD! I am actually in love with their whole website and look forward to purchasing and reading Made to Crave. I can't wait to share more about that with you later! :)

Friday Focus: Dealing with Worry....

I saw this message on Kimberly's blog. It is such a great message. We worry like crazy over things that would work themselves out with a short amount of time. The worry box is such a good idea that I would like to try...I don't know how successful I would be "setting aside a time to worry" but I would love to journal {but what did I say about me & journaling?} my worries & then later go back & see how {& how quickly} they worked themselves out, not needing the worry! 



"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" -Matthew 6:25-27


"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." -Psalm 55:22


"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:34


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." -Proverbs 3:5-6 (New Living Translation)


"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." -Proverbs 12:25

Food for thought: Forgiveness

Then Peter came up to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I'll tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." -Matthew 18:21-22

Forgiveness has really been a key issue in my life lately. I go back to this verse when I am feeling defeated by others, contemplating forgiveness. I am human! I sin! I sometimes have to THINK about forgiving people, wondering if they are worthy of my forgiveness, time, and emotion. I have to remember that the exact wording of this verse is very important: I must forgive my brother (everyone) when they sin against me. Sometimes I get so bogged down because "people" aren't doing the right thing. I get mad when others make stupid choices, causing grief for those closest to them, myself included at times. I take it all personally. I've even been known to hold a grudge or two in my time {believe it or not, HA!} My thought process is flawed because simply: I am human. However, I can not use my "humanness" as justification for continuing to live in sin. I can and should only forgive those that have sinned against me. If others are sinning against others or against God, I need to pray for them. I should not take it personally or hold a grudge. If I do, then *I* am the one needing forgiveness! They have not sinned against me, therefore, forgiveness from me is not needed. {Gosh I hope my rambling is making sense.}

This passage really opened my eyes...

1 John:
1:5: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.

2:1: My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.

This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

That pretty much sums it up for me. One thing I can say for myself is {as you can also see above} I have never claimed to be perfect. I will shout it from the rooftops that I am NOT perfect! I am far from it actually and like everyone else, have my good days and have my bad days. Lucky for me, I am saved by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. The passage above reminds me that because I am a Christian, and have accepted Christ as my Savior, then when I do have my "bad days," my heavenly Father goes to bat for me. He speaks to HIS father on MY behalf, asking that I be forgiven. What an amazing thought! What an amazing thing! What an amazing Savior I have!

Forgiving one another is the hardest thing to do and the most beneficial. As God's chosen people we are to forgive all {did you hear that? ALL} grievances we have between one another because of the example set forth to us by Christ.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. -Colossians 3:12-14

and lastly....

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings. -Mark 11:25-26, Amplified

This is why it is SO important and beneficial for us to forgive. Jesus can not do us that mighty favor by going to bat for us when we have our bad days if we have hate in our hearts, if we are holding grudges, if we are choosing to not forgive someone, for anything, no matter what. As 1st John says, if we are living in Him, we must walk as Jesus did (forgivingly). I personally do not want to sacrifice MY forgiveness, at the cost of living a life full of hate. Doesn't make sense at all to me why anyone would.

If you are choosing to hold a grudge, not forgiving someone, for anything, reconsider. The price is far too high and not even close to worth it, especially when you think about how trivial some of your grievances are. Let your light shine! Do not choose to be held captive in the darkness for another minute.

It's never too late
to turn everything around.

Yet I will rejoice...

I never {never say never} usually don't use my blog for venting personal emotions; however, tonight's different. I don't know why, but I feel like blogging will somehow be therapeutic for me. So, read this, or don't...I don't care today. 

That is how I started this super long venting blog, before I was smacked in the face with my most recent post on ten minutes to get you through your day.  The whole point of it really was,

"No matter what, yet I will rejoice in the Lord!"

The devotion referred to Habakkuk 3:17-18, which says...

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

I like to think of it as...

though I'm having a bad hair day

though my makeup looks like crap

though I have tons of school loans to pay off

though I don't make a lot of money

though I have way too much school work to do for the summertime

though people I love are fighting

though friends and children of my friends are dying

though I am no longer friends with those who I used to be the closest with

though none of my best girlfriends live anywhere near me

though I still have a long way to go before I graduate and can start a new life

though I found an earwig on my pillow!!

though I feel defeated

though I feel jealous

though I feel discontent

though I feel broken...

yet I will rejoice in the LORD;

I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

I really needed that reality check. I have it good. I need to watch Jessica's Daily Affirmation again. And since I can't sleep, and don't feel like beginning reading for another psychopathology quiz right now at 1:30 AM, I think I'll start a new {probably annoying to you} blog listing things I am thankful for. That ought to put things into perspective for me. Either way, I've gotta get out of this rut the Devil worked on me. I won't let him defeat me! I am kind of excited though, because that just means the Lord has something in store for me, and the Devil is trying to defeat me beforehand... I will keep my eyes and heart open, ready to receive His blessings!  Stay tuned!

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

This morning in Sunday School, we were blessed with a really good lesson.

The lesson was about what you consider rich, and always wanting more, even though there are people who live on FAR FAR FAR less and there will always be someone that has MORE than you, and what the Bible describes as being truly rich. But that's not what I'm blogging about tonight.

In discussion after our video we watched, one of us mentioned how we, as humans, think that we should treat people how they treat us. An eye for an eye. If someone's mean to us, be mean back. If someone's nice to us, be nice back. You get the jist....

But, not as humans, but as Christians, we should NOT give an eye for an eye. As Gandhi said,

" An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Matthew 7:12 says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." 

It doesn't say do to others what they do to you. It is saying that we should treat people the way we WANT to be treated, no matter HOW they treat us! 

I was personally convicted by this statement this morning. I am definitely guilty of this. I try my hardest to be nice to everyone, at first. If someone is rude to me, or does something against me, I'll give them another chance. I'll turn the other cheek. However, after a while, if it continues, I am quick to write someone off. This does did not bother me because I only want to surround myself with those who lift me higher. I do not want to continually bother myself with those who are rude to me, etc. I do not consider it a loss, but my world a better place.

How UN-Christian of me is that?!?! It is probably the rudest people, or people that are the most rude to me, that I should be being an example to the most. Now, let me say, that I do not approve of being a doormat. I am simply saying to not give up on people. I am saying that instead of turning around and walking the other way, avoiding certain someones, or holding anger in yourself... say hello! Give a compliment! Ask how they're doing! It's the least you could do, and maybe all that's necessary. Nothing will be solved if you have a "let's see who can be the rudest the longest" competition. 

My prayer for myself and for everyone else is that we will quit holding grudges, quit being rude to one another on purpose, and learn to let things go. People who say they "don't like drama" are usually the ones who are surrounded by drama the most. FYI: there is one common denominator in all your failed friendships, in all your "dramaful" relationships. And that is YOU! Figure out why, and work to fix it! {and I am saying this to myself as well, don't you worry....} 

After having this conversation in Sunday School this morning, I definitely became aware and convicted, and have already tried working on it! It'll be a life-long effort, but one that's worth it! Life is too short and you weren't meant to hold on to that petty anger anyways. Be free! Free yourself!

Dream Journal Entry #1

I am taking a Dream Works in Counseling class in July. Yesterday, our professor emailed us, telling us to begin journaling ours or someone else's dreams for class. So, that's what I'm going to do. I'm not one to remember my dreams, usually. I have had/occasionally still do have a lot of nightmares. {Read more about that.} Those are usually the ones I remember- the bad ones that wake me up and keep me fearing going back to sleep. But anyways, for class, and for my own personal sense of dream journaling, I'll be posting any dreams I remember having. Again, I got the email yesterday so I just started, and sure enough, last night I had a nightmare for lack of a better word. So, here's Journal Entry #1. If anyone knows anything about dream interpretation and would like to give me their two cents, please feel free. Anyone can leave a comment below {I do believe}. I'd love to know your thoughts!

April 20, 2010:
                For some reason, I was running in complete darkness. For some reason I think it was after church, but I’m not 100% sure. I feel like I was waiting on Mom to get ready so we could go somewhere, and it was time to go but she hadn’t even showered yet. So I got some keys and started walking down the road in the pitch blackness. I didn’t have a phone or anything with me to see. Somehow I came upon this old, big house, so I went towards it. I feel like the house was (in some ways) First Baptist Church (my old church), like, for example, as I walked towards the back of it, I felt like I was behind FBC. But as I got up on it, I saw old doors, and old architectural designs. I guess I was looking for a door, so I stayed close to the church so I could see what I was looking for, and as I walked around it, I saw that there were huge speakers locked up under the (patio, maybe?) of the side of it. I thought that was completely normal for some reason- because maybe they had fundraisers, or BBQs, or hosted events or something. (I mean they were huge speakers.)  Anyways, as I walked around the right side of the house, I saw some old stairs leading up to what looked like maybe a side door that would maybe lead to a kitchen or something. For some unknown reason, I took off running and stomping up the stairs, tried my key, and it let me in. I bolted the door open and yelled, “HELLOOO?!” It hit me as I was entering the doorway that this really might be a family’s house, and they might be inside. I mean, some people live in really old, run-down houses. And then I thought, “What if they think I’m a burglar?” But when I bolted in the door and yelled that, I looked around. There wasn’t a light on in the house. There was furniture everywhere like a family had lived in it, but it seemed deserted. There were cobwebs everywhere. I remember being TERRIFIED at this point, for some reason. I started walking and looking around, very slowly. I remember seeing an old grand piano in the next room.

                And then I woke up. I was really scared when I woke up. I don’t know why. Nothing scary happened really. The house was just really creepy and I felt like something was going to get me, or pop up out at me, or I was never going to make it out of that house alive. My alarm was what woke me up; otherwise I feel like I would have kept on discovering what was in the house. Thank God for alarms, then! I was so scared to go back to sleep that I ended up just getting up after alarm #1 (which is not always my norm).

                It’s ironic that I’m so scared of this dream, even though nothing really bad happened in it, yet. It’s ironic because as I went to bed last night, I began reading the book of Joshua in the Bible. I read this verse and repeated it to myself over and over in hopes of memorizing it. Let’s see if I can still do it this morning {I’m going by memory alone here…} – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged. For the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9

                I looked it up after I typed this, and yep, I forgot the first sentence at first but then it hit me after I finished the rest. I memorized the verse last night, and then here I go, waking up terrified, afraid to go back to my precious, precious sleep. :(

Dreams & the Devil, my personal story...

So, you may or may not have heard me talk about this before but, either way, I have an update.

So you know how some people dream, and sometimes they remember their dreams and sometimes they don't? Well, I can't remember a time when I have remembered a "good" dream. If I remember a dream, it's because it probably scarred me for life. I mean, I know all about REM sleep, and I know I dream multiple dreams a night. However, if I realize I'm dreaming, if I'm awoken from a dream, or if I even remember a dream-- it's because it scared the living daylights out of me.

My nightmares usually involve someone I love dying, or someone trying to kill me, or the world ending. Crazy! Right?? But you can see how this would freak me out now...

Having lunch with a friend one day, we got on the topic of dreams and I was telling them about my nightmares. She asked me if I've always had them, or if they recently started occurring. I got to thinking about it... I thought they had recently began occurring throughout the past couple years or so, which had been a pretty tough time for me. Once I starting thinking back, it hit me! I had been suffering from these nightmares since I can remember. (Ironic, ha).

A long time ago my family used to live in Iron Station, NC. We moved out of that house when I was in the 2nd grade, therefore I figured out that I started having recurring nightmares somewhere between the ages of 3 and 7. I vividly remember not wanting to go to sleep in fear of having another nightmare. My brother, Pat, & I shared a bedroom at the time and I remember my dad putting me to sleep in my bed. He picked one of Pat's toys up off the floor-- a foot-tall, hard as a rock Ninja Turtle-- & I remember him telling me that if I slept with the Ninja Turtle, he'd fight off my bad dreams.

Do y'all know how long I slept with that Ninja Turtle? I was paranoid! I slept with it every night until finally my parents realized that my "comfort item" wasn't a blanket or a stuffed animal, but a foot-tall, hard as a rock Ninja Turtle! They bought me this cat to replace the turtle. The movie "Andre" had just come out (the movie about a girl who raised a pet seal...y'all remember that?!) .. Well, I named the cat Andre and took that thing everywhere I spent the night. I TRULY believed that if that cat wasn't covered up in the bed next to me I would have a bad dream. I honestly, sadly to say, slept with that thing PROBABLY until I was in 8th grade. I remember in middle school doing nightly experiments, sleeping with the cat and not sleeping with the cat, to see if I would have a nightmare or not. I promise you-- if that cat was not by my side, I had a nightmare, sure as the devil! That freaked me out and that is how I justify to myself why I slept with the cat until I was in the 8th grade.

Now I can't remember why I quit sleeping with the cat, and I couldn't even tell you where it is today (which saddens me a bit)...but I'm sure it had something to do with me entering high school. It also might have something to do with the fact that one night I spent the night at Ashleigh Woody's house and forgot the cat. I called my mom, freaking out, and asked her to come bring it to me. She for whatever reason wouldn't, and I could hear my dad joking in the background saying, "here kitty kitty...", acting like he was going to kill my cat or something horrible. I don't know, but I remember getting really upset, and afterwards I probably just wondered why in the world I was getting so upset over a stuffed cat!

Either way, (sorry--this story's getting longer than I anticipated) I don't sleep with a comfort item and haven't since then. But, I still have these crazy nightmares! I don't watch scary movies anymore because I'm sure they'll trigger some unconscious (or obviously conscious) fear of mine and I'll have nightmares for a month or something crazy.

Anywho-- some friends and I were talking about dream therapy at lunch the other day and I told them my crazy cat story. I told them how it was all in my head and if I slept with the cat growing up I never had a bad dream, but if I didn't then I would for sure have one.

A couple nights later, I couldn't sleep so I started reading my new Bible. It's a NIV & The Message Parallel Bible & I love it! Anyways, I just opened it up and started reading The Message.

PLEASE LOOK AT WHAT I FOUND---

"Dear friend, guard clear Thinking and common sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. **NOW HERE'S MY FAVORITE PART -->** You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. NO NEED TO PANIC OVER ALARMS OR SURPRISES, OR PREDICTIONS THAT DOOMSDAY'S JUST AROUND THE CORNER, BECAUSE GOD WILL BE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU; HE'LL KEEP YOU SAFE AND SOUND." (Proverbs 3: 21-26, The Message)

Obviously that spoke right to my heart. I worry and I worry and I worry. I pray every night before I go to bed that the Lord blesses me with sweet dreams, or at least no nightmares. I try not to take dreams seriously but they honestly make me very anxious and weary. It's funny because the Lord says in the Bible NOT to anxious OR weary! The Devil attacks you, day and night, and obviously whether you are asleep or not. He'll find a way to get to you- He knows you're destined for great things and therefore will get a head start on attempting to bring you down whenever possible.

I now go to bed worry-free. I know the Lord is protecting me.
I'm sure some of you have experienced a similar situation. I'm sure some of you can relate. I just wanted to share this with you and let you know that God is in control. Give your life to Him and He will take that life-long burden off your shoulders. "Cast your anxieties on Him because He cares for you." :)

And if you made it all the way to the end, I appreciate you listening. :) Be blessed!

"God may not always give us answers, but He always gives us grace.."

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. --Matthew 11:28

And He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. --Matthew 6:33

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6

In the middle of the turbulence surrounding you
These trying times are so hard to endure
In the middle of what seems to be your darkest hour
Hold fast your heart and be assured
This too shall pass
Like every night that's come before it
He'll never give you more than you can bare
This too shall pass
So in this thought be comforted 'fore it's in His Hands
This too shall pass
Father knows the tears you cry before they fall
He feels your pain
His heart and yours are one
Father knows that sorrow's heavy chains are strong
But with His strength, you'll overcome
So set your eyes, set them on the mountain
And lift your head up to the sky
And let His arms of love surround you
Let him take you to the other side
This too shall pass..

Encouragment

When I find myself overwhelmed with schoolwork and everything else going on in life...I think about these two verses.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer... *Romans 12:12

Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you... *Exodus 14:13

Nothing is in your power. Everything is in God's hands. Things are going to work out the way He intended, regardless of your efforts to have things your own way. If you're lucky, you will wish for that in which He gives you. But, your best bet is to just realize that He is in control, and pray for His will in your life. He will not give you anything you can't handle. Take things day by day, continue to pray, and be hopeful. Things will work out exactly are they are supposed to. Just give it time. :)