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Not Up to Us

    When stressful situations come into our life, it is tempting to freak out. We innately begin to figure out how we are going to handle the stressor. This just causes more stress. Why? Because we cannot handle it on our own. Stressful circumstances in life are the perfect opportunity to trust God and build your faith. 

    We often do not recognize the day-to-day struggles that God uses to try and build us up and draw us to Himself. We can think that those every day stressors have nothing to do with God! We think it is completely up to us to pass a class or get our work done before a deadline, etc. But Jesus should play a role in every part of our lives. 

    It has been amazing to me to see how He has tested my faith in areas I thought had nothing to do with! School was one of them. We are taught in the world that you get out what you put in. If that were true with God, we would all be going to hell. Of course we do our best, but His grace is here to fill in where we lack due to our fallen nature. I found out His grace even extends into my grade reports.

    Is there any area of your life that you have cut God out of and taken the weight on yourself? Personally, I constantly have to check myself on this. It is so easy to brush Jesus aside as if He can't help and then take on all the pressure of doing things yourself. You were not meant to bear that weight. Hand over your entire life to Jesus today, including the non-church areas. Watch how he transforms your life by taking the pressure off, building up your faith, and miraculously coming through in tough times. 

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (ESV)

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. (ESV)

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (ESV)

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