Some verses to remember when you’re stressed

By Tim Villarica

Sweaty palms, heavy eyebags, and cups of coffee, are all the symptoms of stress in student life. When you’re racing to meet the impending doom of tomorrow’s due paper, God’s presence seems to be up in the clouds. Fortunately, here are some verses that I like to remember when my hope is running low:

Matthew 13:29-31 - God cares

Whether you’re thinking about Him or not, you’re important to God. He’s your Creator. God hears the thud of a single tiny sparrow when it falls to the ground. If two sparrows “are sold for a penny”, in God’s currency we were also “bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 20:6)—His Son’s blood. He cares for us that much.

Matthew 6:25-31 - Loosen up because God’s in charge

Since God’s in charge of everything, to a certain degree (because we still need to attend to our own respective obligations) we don’t need to beat ourselves up over what tomorrow will bring. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do your homework or that you can afford to study for your math test the night before. What it does mean is that we can be confident that God will be watching our backs even if the outcome you were hoping for doesn’t exactly turn out the way you were wanting (Yes, even if you failed your Math test). God will always be faithful, the question is whether you’re relying on Him or not.

Matthew 11:28-30 - You are not obligated to serve God.

Worship is a lifestyle. It’s not doing what you have to do because you have to—it’s a way of worshipping or showing your love for God.

The context of “weary and burdened” in this passage is not physical weariness but a spiritual weariness. Take note that Matthew was written as a reaction against the prevailing legalism that the Pharisees were espousing. Weariness in the context of the Christian life can mean that we become “tired” of serving God and do so out of mere obligation. For example, one would not appreciate it if he would ask his friend to accompany him and the friend did so grudgingly. God’s not looking for our “burnt offerings” (Amos 5:21-24), He is looking for a sincere relationship with us. When we get distracted from serving God because of the stacks of readings we have to go through in a day let’s remember why we’re doing that thing we do – worship.

Jeremiah 29:11 - God loves you and has a plan and a purpose for your life.

I remember Tommy Walker saying that when we get to know God more, we also get to discover who we are in a better way. Let’s trust in God’s plan not only in how we should live but in the kind of person he wants us to be despite all the hardships.

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What are some verses that have touched your life?  Share them in the comments below.