“God’s Word Calmed My Heart”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Joey writes:
At a time of transition in my life, I needed to complete a teacher certification program so that I could support myself and two children. When I attended college the first time, I didn’t care about my GPA so not much effort was put into my studies.
I tried to get into the school I had graduated from and then another university but my GPA did not meet the required standard to be admitted. One morning I heard the Lord tell me to call the only other school in town. I hadn’t contacted it since the GPA requirement there was even higher than the other two. I called and was tranferred several times, finally to a professor in the education department. He said he didn’t think I was who he needed to talk to but if I would meet with him he would try to point me in the right direction.
When I found the right building and went down the stairs towards his office, I was so overcome with anxiety that I turned around and walked back up the stairs and out the door. I paced the sidewalk praying for calm. I knew this was my last chance to get back into school and I had to take it.
I went back down and into his office, hoping he could not hear my heart pounding.
It took two years to complete the program. I made all A’s and never missed a class.
When I finished, I had completed student teaching and was certified in two science fields.
This verse helped keep me calm. I had such a fear of speaking in front of people and that is what teaching is all about.
It does get better with practice.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on September 5th, 2008 and filed under Bible, God's Love, Hope, Praise, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty, Struggles, Verses, Life Verse.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Dear Joey:
What an admirable accomplishment: “When I finished, I had completed student teaching and was certified in two science fields”!
Daily, when I behold the unequalled beauty of “the fowls of the air…and lilies of the field….” (Matthew 5:25-29), I have such confidence in God’s Divine Providence that my mind is freed from anxiety. This dependence on Him keeps me calm to pursue my missions here on earth “in the right direction.”
That means: “I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition” (Daniel 9:3);
“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer” (Ezra 8:23).
From my humble experiences, truly, I know too well: “…knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9)
Consequently, “I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, Who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands” (Daniel 9:4).
Truly, God answers requests and prayers!
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you and yours abundantly;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.