Back to School Again

Back to School Again 

By Michelle McDermott 

This has been a hard week for me as a back to school student. I am still struggling to stay on top of my homework and get myself disciplined enough to manage my time. Then there are the challenges that come when your much anticipated financial aid is delayed. Actually, it was sent back because of new technology that showed me as a “Withdrawn Student” instead of as a hard-working, homework doing, showing up at every class, pursuing graduation student!
So, with all this, I decided that one of the most important disciplines I could pursue right now is my time of prayer and fellowship with God. I really needed to talk to my heavenly Father, I needed to complain and grumble – maybe even say things like “Why me, God?” and “Really, you really think I can handle this, too?” But even more than that need - was the need to listen to what He had to say to me!
I am reading a devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, and God really does speak to me through it. Here is what I heard God saying that encouraged me to grow through my challenges, instead of just going through them. God told me:

. . .when little things don’t go as you had hoped, look to Me lightheartedly and say ‘Oh, well.’ This simple discipline can protect you from being burdened with the accumulation of petty cares and frustrations. If you shrug them off immediately and return your focus to Me, you will walk through your days with lighter steps and a joyful heart.

Wait, was this just one more discipline I was going to have to start doing? I could have looked at it that way, but instead I chose to see the victory that would come at the end of the discipline and to remember some promises that He has given me. He has promised me that the joy of the Lord will be my strength (Neh. 8:10), and that all these troubles are fleeting and momentary compared to the eternal glory being achieved. So, I must not lose heart (2 Cor. 4:16-17). He will work all things out for good because I am called by Him to finish this Back to School challenge! (Rom. 8:28)
I will choose the discipline of staying focused on Him, say “Oh, well” to all the little challenges and frustrations, and keep a skip to my step and a joy in my heart.