Fall '19 Finals Affirmations Day 1
Hello!!!
Welcome (back) to another season of Finals Affirmations. I don’t know about you but, to me, this semester SPRINTED. I don’t even totally remember September, and now look at us. Who would’ve thought? But praise God we are here now! Although this is a stressful season, it’s important to remember to be grateful because you’ve made it to where you are right now. Not every person that started with you back August, has made it to where you are today and that’s something to give Him praise for. James 1 tells us to consider it all joy when we go through times of difficulty. And typically when we read such a verse, we don’t think about situations like finals, but I do think this can be considered one of those times where our faith is tested. I used to experience test anxiety, during exams and used to be so emotional, to the point where I’d just act our of character over these few days, but over time I internalized that a change of heart/mind can change everything. Here are a few things I did differently:
I decided to do my part, up to what I believe was my end physically, and left the rest to God.
I remembered that food and sleep are life essentials, not rewards. So I actually slept and ate
I started “dressing up” to have a “look good, feel good” attitude going into my exams
I learned that around this time, I can’t be on campus because it was a stressful environment so I studied off-campus. Consider cafes, local restaurants, etc.
I stopped cutting myself off from things I enjoyed to my schedule, to be a de-stressor at such a time as this. This partially the reason for this series beginning.
I told myself if I wasn’t going speak positively about the exam I’m taking / I just took or myself at this time, then I wasn’t allowed to say it.
These are just a few examples of the changes I made, which resulted in a transformation of how I approached finals. Think about what you need to do to make you not feel like a robot over these next few days. Remember you don’t become superhuman, just because it’s exam season. Just take a few minutes to consider how to be joyful during this time. it doesn’t have to be huge, but it should be something that can give you room to experience His peace and His joy in the midst of it all. Let’s pray:
God, I thank you for the opportunity to be in this space at this time. Thank you for guiding me through this semester. Thank you for the favour you’ve shown me with my professors, my assignments, my friends, and others. As I go into this season, I commit every paper, project, and exam into Your hands. Because you made me, you know where I am weak. I pray You that give me strength in those areas. You know what makes me stressed, so I pray for your peace that passes all understanding. I pray that my eyes are opened to all that I need to see at this time. You tell me if I ask for wisdom, in faith, you will give it to me, so I ask that you give me the wisdom to take everything I learned over these last few months and guide my hands to put it all into practice. I ask that you give me joy this season, the kind that cannot even be explained. The kind of joy that will turn heads and make people ask why? I pray that this joy carries me through this season so at the end I can look back and give you all the praise and say thank You for taking me to the end of another semester. I love You, Lord and believe you will do all these things for Your name’s sake. And I ask that You not only do it for me but students like me who are also in their finals season.
In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.
I hope this finals season is one of your best ones yet. I love you! I’m praying for you! I believe in you and most importantly, so does God.
With love always,
Kumam