By: Eliana Morales
It’s April, and graduation is just around the corner. I was terrified for a long time and almost dreaded that day.
I tend to be an anxious person, and I stressed about post-grad even during my first semester at Southern. I’d sit in the class Fitness for Collegiate Life and panic because I didn’t know what to do for my master’s.
But now, as graduation draws nearer, I somehow feel calmer.
I just came back from a spring mission trip to Mexico. I had to trust in God to speak through me when I was not a confident preacher and unforeseen problems arose. On day one, the projector broke, and I had to go up to the pulpit anyway. Other days, we had to prepare two sermons instead of one. Despite the difficulties we faced, my church enjoyed the evangelistic series, and it was a wonderful experience.
I don’t have employers lining up to hire me or a solid plan to share housing with anyone. I got paid only $7 last week, and sometimes I have to stop myself from rethinking my entire major. Maybe I look put-together, but in reality, I’m hoping that I’m not alone in my situation.
So, why do I feel more at peace? I could joke and say that I’ve given up, but that’s not it. The truth is that when I look back on my life, I see that God always had a plan.
Since I’m a chronic worrier, I have a few verses written in my Notes app as reminders.
One of them is Matthew 6:25-27 (NLT): “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
God takes care of the birds, so how much more will he care for us? I ask myself, “When have I been without?” Or, “When have things not worked out in the end?” Sure, things have gone in unfortunate and unprecedented ways, but I’m here, alive and well.
The last part of the verse is profound: “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
I don’t want to waste time this month by worrying about something God already has handled.
Another verse in my Notes app is Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT): “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
I have a distinct post-grad vision for myself and a job I really want. I do my best in interviews, but I try to not stress too much, because the Bible is so clear in telling us that worry is a waste of time.
Instead, I enjoy each day as it comes, despite my raging senioritis. Little things make me look forward to the next day, and I try my best to make my post-grad plan a success.
But if things don’t go exactly how I hoped, I know that there’s something better in store for me.
