For all you high school kids out there who are worrying about what to do after graduation, please allow me to relieve all of your worries.
And no, I am not an adult who is thirty reflecting on something that happened to me twelve years ago trying to give you advice. Chances are I probably would have lost a lot of my memories if I was thirty. No, I'm a high school senior about to graduate, and trust me, I have had my worries. But one thing that the Word of God has taught me is something that will seem really trite, but it is the best medicine to relieve worry. Don't worry.
I know, pretty trite, huh? You probably were thinking I was going to give you something profound. But the advice I give you is from God, and that's as profound as you can get. The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God." (King James Version)
So the first thing to do is not worry. But what is the next thing to do? Pray. Ask God to calm your anxious heart and mind, ask him for direction in your life, act on your own interests, and focus on serving and praying for other people that you know, and, even the ones you do not know. It is okay to ask God for the things you want... no matter how big or small, so long as they are righteous desires. However, doing this without praying for other men and woman is not love. In First Corinthians chapter thirteen, God's says that love "seeketh not her own..." (KJV). So obviously, love is important. However, it does not mean that we are denied any reward. In the Old Testament, the Lord says that he would honor whoever honors him.
Therefore, in addition to praying, we should love others by praying for them, but we should also love by being kind. Kindness is mentioned in First Corinthians thirteen verse 4. How do we display this kind of love? Later on in the chapter, Paul says that love "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." In other words, think the best of people, go out of your way to make sacrifices for people. However, it also means that we are expect to the best of people, which is the definition of hope. If they sin, rebuke them, but do not be suspicious of them or gossip about them.
Finally, we are to "Seek first the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). God promises us that he will give us the blessings that we need. This is the greatest reason to not worry. Yes work, and be concerned about yourself, but do not get caught up trying to predict what will happen.
Maybe this all seems counterproductive. After all, how do we relieve our worry by focusing on other people? The answer is Jesus. Jesus showed love to those who hated him, tortured him, killed him. He, more than any other immortal in human form, had the greatest temptation to worry. Yet, he concentrated on loving sinners and praying for them.
Worried about college, a secure job, a marriage partner, your whole life ahead? Love your neighbors, pray for them, seek God's kingdom first, and ask God for his essential blessings. Do this, and you will be freed from the shackles of worry and brought in the open air of fellowship with God.
Therefore, in addition to praying, we should love others by praying for them, but we should also love by being kind. Kindness is mentioned in First Corinthians thirteen verse 4. How do we display this kind of love? Later on in the chapter, Paul says that love "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." In other words, think the best of people, go out of your way to make sacrifices for people. However, it also means that we are expect to the best of people, which is the definition of hope. If they sin, rebuke them, but do not be suspicious of them or gossip about them.
Finally, we are to "Seek first the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). God promises us that he will give us the blessings that we need. This is the greatest reason to not worry. Yes work, and be concerned about yourself, but do not get caught up trying to predict what will happen.
Maybe this all seems counterproductive. After all, how do we relieve our worry by focusing on other people? The answer is Jesus. Jesus showed love to those who hated him, tortured him, killed him. He, more than any other immortal in human form, had the greatest temptation to worry. Yet, he concentrated on loving sinners and praying for them.
Worried about college, a secure job, a marriage partner, your whole life ahead? Love your neighbors, pray for them, seek God's kingdom first, and ask God for his essential blessings. Do this, and you will be freed from the shackles of worry and brought in the open air of fellowship with God.
