Exam Time: Survive or Thrive?

It is exam time for many students and with it comes the usual stress, panic, boredom, late nights, distractions and so on.  Through all these years of accompanying youth in their journey of life, it is obvious that these intense times of keeping company with text books and notes can also be a time of spiritual dryness, lack of prayer and weakness. Students often feel that they just about survive.

Does it have to be like that? Well as in all things, the disciple of Jesus is challenged to try and live it differently. It all starts with attitude. Rather than seeing this difficult period negatively, we need to bring it into our relationship with God as well, keeping in mind that the Lord wants to be part of it too. After all His inspired word tells us:

‘“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ (Colossians 3:17).

Furthermore though you may be tempted to see prayer as a ‘waste of time’ or a ‘luxury that can be postponed’ because of the amount of stuff you have to cover,  don’t give it up . In this way, paradoxically, you will not only survive but even thrive. It helps to turn to Him in moments of stress and to cast all your worries on Him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7) – yes He cares even about your studies.

So take courage. Yes it may be hard but besides looking forward to the day when the exams will be all over, it can be a time where your relationship with God can grow even deeper. At such moments we realise again that we have a great need of Jesus but an even greater Jesus for our need. Why not stop now at this very moment and hear Him say to you ‘Be still and know I am God’ (Ps 46:10).