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4/9/2018 Stressed Out: Day 15 PRAY // Many people act like they know everything. Even when confronted with truth, lots of people will still stubbornly stick to what they have always believed to be right. But, at some point you have to ask yourself, “Would I rather be ‘right’ or know the truth?” God’s ways are perfect. And when we’re confronted with God’s truth—through the Bible, prayer, or even the people around us—we have a choice to make: lean on our own understanding or trust in Him. The keyword in this verse is “trust.” In what areas of your life are you being stubborn? In what areas of your life do you need to start trusting Him?
4/8/2018 Stressed Out: Day 14 TALK // Do you truly love God? That’s a heavy question for sure, but it’s the question at the heart of this verse. If you do love God and try to get to know Him better, you’ll be in tune with His purposes. What’s God’s purpose for you? To love him, love others, and spread the good news about Jesus. We were created for this purpose and deviating from that purpose will always leave us empty in the long run. This is the “good” that God wants for us—not shallow and earthly comforts, but a meaningful and purposeful life.
4/7/2018 Stressed Out: Day 13 LIVE // “Why? Why would God allow this?” I think everyone on earth has asked themselves this question at some point. In Isaiah, God reminds us that even when we don’t understand what He’s up to, He can be trusted. His plans have spanned the ages, and He alone can see the big picture. Imagine being a turtle and a human scoops you up. You are outraged to be diverted and scared that the human may harm you, so you fight back. In that situation the turtle doesn’t understand the big picture. The human has actually run onto a highway and saved you from certain death. God is wiser than us, and He is good. Today, trust God’s perfect plan.
4/6/2018 Stressed Out: Day 12 TALK // You have so much potential, energy, and passion. But even with such great qualities, teenagers like you are at risk of falling hard and making big mistakes. And it’s not just teenagers! Sin can mess up and consume any person’s life, leaving behind devastation and regret. To make things even more difficult, sometimes it’s hard to see exactly how decisions you make now will affect you later. The truth is, all of us grow tired and weary and stumble and fall. Thankfully, God is willing to renew our strength in those moments. Today, ask God to help you avoid stumbling and falling into sin.
4/5/2018 Stressed Out: Day 11 LIVE // Spiders, heights, clowns . . . What are you afraid of? Maybe you have more serious things on your list, like breakups, failing a class, parents divorcing, or even losing a close friend or family member. Let’s face it: In this world it’s easy to be fearful. And as we get older, we begin to realize just how much can go wrong in our lives. But in the middle of all we’re afraid might go wrong, God tells us over and over not to fear. That seems like an impossible command to follow, but thankfully, God tells us that He is willing to help us. He can give us the power and strength to overcome fear. What’s on your list of fears? Write them down and then ask God to help you move past the fears on your list.
4/2/2018 Stressed Out: Day 10 LIVE // God promises to restore you. Restore means to “bring back.” Having that assurance can give you the motivation you need to push through the rough time you might be having. It’s like having a terrible week at school, but knowing that the weekend is coming. You continue to push through all the tests and practices because you know rest is coming soon. You know it won’t last forever. Are you feeling drained, tired, and mentally or emotionally run down this week? Then draw close to God. He will bring you back and make you strong—He will restore you.
4/1/2018 Stressed Out: Day 9 LIVE // “Light and momentary” may not be the way you would describe your troubles. They may feel more “heavy and never-ending.” But with the right perspective, the way you view your problems can change. When you start to see your problems in light of your entire high school career, it can make your current troubles feel more momentary. And when you see your current problems in light of your entire life, it can make them feel even lighter and even less of a big deal. As you go about your day today, remember that your problems don’t have to be heavy and all you ever think about. With the right perspective, over time they’ll begin to feel a little lighter and more manageable.
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