Overwhelmed with Finals?

"Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them." Matthew 6:28-29

Every time I'm anxious or overwhelmed I go back to this verse. Matthew 6:28-29 has been such an important part of my life that it even inspired the name of this blog - "Wildflower Faith." Its message is just one that I constantly need to be reminded of. I think it is also an important one to keep in mind when under stress like people often are during finals week. This verse is just a reminder of the simplicity that comes with living out the Christian faith. And with this simplicity comes perspective, which I think could always be appreciated in a stressful time.

In this verse, "the way" wildflowers grow is without worry or concern. Wildflowers grow with no consciousness that they are growing. They continue to develop beautiful until they are picked or die.

What Christ is asking for us here is not much. All He asks is that we have no worries as we continue to grow. It's a pretty simple request, but it seems like we never get it right.

We use our Earthly minds to dwell on Earthly anxieties like finals or studying or making good grades. We let these worries dominate our minds, and let our happiness depend of them. So we spend countless moments of our time in this world unhappy. But we really don't need to be.

Later in the chapter, the Bible tells us "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." God will provide us with everything we need. So there is really no use in worrying if we could learn to depend on Him. That's not to say that everything will always go like you want them to if you depend on God. You still need to study for your finals and try as hard as you can, but you can do so without anxiety. Do the best you can and give the rest up to God. Go back to my post about praying during finals week if you need some help with that. Just depend on God to give you peace, allow Him to carry your anxiety.

And ask yourself… why as children of God would we ever hold anxieties in our hearts? Especially when the one who is in control is as great as God.