Blessed, not stressed.

Study. Study. Eat. Facebook. Study. iTunes. Youtube. Stud-.. Facebook. Pinterest. Stu-? Nope, eat. Study. Facebook. Study. 

The end of my first college semester is coming to a close and going out with quite an academic overloaded bang, might I add. I have four big finals to take tomorrow. EEEK! As I sit here in my little Amanda cave (workspace under my lofted bed in my dorm), I am tempted to worry and stress to no end. In fact, with all of the busy-ness that came with the numerous lifestyle changes that I have undergone this semester (new school, new "home," new job, new responsibilities, new friends, etc.), to be stressed has been a large temptation of mine. Although, amidst all of the late nights studying, never-ending research papers, hours at DSW (my part-time job), sleep deprivation, and early morning classes, I am reminded that God has good plans for me, to give me a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11). God has blessed me with a wonderful school, church, home, family, friends, leaders, boyfriend, car, job, leadership opportunities, and so much more. Th challenges that I undergo are shaping me into the wise, disciplined woman God intends for me to become. God is giving me opportunities to discover what my priorities are and what they should be. He is giving me opportunities to properly manage my time and money in ways that bring me closer to fulfilling his call upon my life. If I don't have time for God in my schedule, then my schedule is too busy. Simple as that. He comes before work, before money, before relationships, before school, before everything, because He IS everything. I have found that when I set aside time to seek Him on a daily basis, what needs to be highly prioritized in my life becomes crystal clear. There is no need to worry about worldly possessions that will only fade away one day. To all of the stressed-out, gone crazy individuals out there, take a deep breath. Find confidence in who Christ has created you to be and what He has called you to do. Take a look at your bank account, where has your money been going lately? Take a look at your planner, where has your free time been going lately? Take a look at your relationships, what have your conversations and actions reflected lately? We have authority and power over our lives, so find peace in trusting the Lord and his ways, take charge, and seek God and his eternal plans for you on a daily basis.