May 19: Reflections on Sources of Stress

Spring Finals: May 19-23

            Sometimes, the way to manage stress is to deconstruct our anxieties. So we take this time to reflect on the sources of our stress. May we find that some of our stressors are not as threatening as they once seemed. May we discover that other stressors are necessary yet temporary, and we will soon celebrate the rewards of our efforts. We also acknowledge that some stress cannot be reasoned away, so we ask God to give us the strength not to dwell upon these anxieties. We pray our reflection will not become a spiral of worry but an attempt to thrive in times of stress by trusting in God.

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March 25: Accepting of Sabbath from Work

Spring Break: March 25-April 2 

            May God grant us the grace we need to accept this Sabbath from work. May we be released from the stresses of our busy schedules and enjoy this time away from our usual responsibilities. We pray we can prioritize all the activities we have been looking forward to doing during this break. We give thanks for the chance to reconnect with friends and family members. After constant deadlines and obligations, we may have trouble settling down again, but we are thankful nonetheless for this time God has given us.

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March 24: Allowing for Grace During Periods of Stress

Spring Midterms: March 24

            We most often forget the virtue of grace during periods of stress. We agonize over our mistakes in high-pressure situations when we really need forgiveness for ourselves. May God allow us to accept our shortcomings as our resources are stretched. May we practice the same grace towards others in our community as we empathize with their own stresses. We commit ourselves to trying our best for academic success, but we also allow ourselves the space for breaks and mistakes under pressure.

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November 21: Thankfulness in Times of Stress

            Gratitude is difficult to cultivate even in our happiest times, so sometimes thankfulness seems impossible in periods of stress. We ask for God’s help in expressing gratitude during the busiest parts of our year. May God guide us towards appreciation and happiness even as we cope with anxiety and exhaustion. We remember the comfort Jesus promised us through the Holy Spirit and give thanks now for this gift. We trust in the knowledge that gratitude in the most difficult times makes the sweetest offering to God and commit to an intentional practice of expressing our thankfulness.

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November 15: Calm before and during Busy Holiday Season

            While the holiday season holds excitement and potential, we acknowledge how this time can be a source of stress for everyone. As responsibilities and expectations pile up, we ask God to sooth our anxieties. We pray that no matter how busy we become, we still are able to find moments of calm where we can sit and reflect on our inner life and our relationship with God. We place our trust in God that our holiday preparations will come together and that we will enjoy the times we celebrate with friends and family. Let us use the moments of restful peace to meditate on how to use the holiday season to draw closer to God.

Photo by Ellen Kneeskern '18