I know y'all probably don't have exams at this time of year like we do over here in New Zealand but I thought you might like to have a read of this. :) [u]Is It Time To Peace Out?[/u] by Hayden Shearman Is it Time to Peace Out?This time of year always has a weird tension about it. On the one hand, the weather’s getting warmer, the outdoors look evermore appealing, guys are growing quirky facial hair, there are end-of-year dos and, generally, a holiday feeling is filling the air. Yet on the other hand, the majority of us also have our heads down amidst daunting exams, hair-pulling assignments and looming work deadlines that can – if you’re anything like me – freak you out! You may even be reading this in a defiant act of procrastination. It comes as a pleasant surprise that dealing with stress and life’s major curve balls is something the Bible covers pretty well. Check this out: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoicing?!” I hear you say. “That’s the last thing I want to do the night before my big Year 13 English exam!” But if anyone’s qualified to talk about stressful experiences I’m sure Paul (the guy who wrote Philippians) is. A Prisoner’s Example The dude met God face-to-face, lost his eyesight temporarily, travelled to strange cities preaching a new way of life and selling tents (of all things), got stones chucked at him often, beaten within inches of his life, shipwrecked, snake-bitten, imprisoned, taken to court… Sure, there’s no English exam in there, but he definitely had his fair share of stress-moments. And yet, he says “rejoice.” In fact he says it twice. Classic! I figure the reason Paul encourages us to “rejoice” is not because he hasn’t worked out that ship-wreckings aren’t much fun, but because it's the hard times that actually bring you into closer potential for engaging with God. Paul’s comment “The Lord is near” has a very similar ring to what Jesus said about “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” In God’s way of doing things, the more stress you’re under, the more His supernatural, mind-blowing peace is able to transcend your circumstances. The Peace Bomb It’s kinda like the “first will be last and the last will be first” scenario: If you’re feeling nailed under the pressure of your circumstances and peace in your heart seems a million miles away. Guess what? You are first in line for a truck load of God’s peace to be exploded. And God will come through for you; He is the Prince of Peace after all! It’s just a matter of stopping to rejoice, pray, thank and rejoice again. Have another read of Paul’s tried and true method in Philippians 4. No doubt he applied this amidst his stonings and shipwreckings, and sure, everyone around him would have thought he was mental. Still, they would have seen a man who had a heart full of peace and was fully aware of his infinite value to his Creator – the same value God places on you and the health of your heart. Dig Deeper Have a read of Isaiah 43:1-2 and also check out a practical example of how an Olympic champion dealt with the biggest and most daunting race of his life.