Not now. Not again.

I thought this pain was in my rear view mirror… but suddenly it’s crashed through the windshield.

That’s agony. It will sneak up on you. Then it will stop you in your tracks.

Been there?

All it takes is seeing that one person… from that one time… and that one place… suddenly you’re assaulted with all the feelings you tried so hard to forget.

Anger. Shame. Disgust.

You cry out to God, but He seems absent. Your pain screams so loud you can’t hear His tiny whisper.
What kind of God whispers in a hurricane?

The same One who calmed the sea with His still small voice.

If you will listen for Him, He is using that same voice today.

His voice is not indicative of His power. His voice is still and small because it is the same voice a mother uses to calm her panicked child. She does not scream to show the child her power. She says, Shhh… sweet, sweet Baby, it is going to be okay.

Shhh… sweet, sweet child… it is going to be okay.

Stop for a minute. Listen for that voice. Let it calm you. And know… it is going to be okay.

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

More About Bekah

Bekah Hamrick Martin is the author of The Bare Naked Truth About Waiting — the book that takes a satirical stab at the lies teen girls believe about relationships. You can read her every-day take on life and the Bare Naked Truth at www.bekahhamrickmartin.com.

Source: Real Teen Faith

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Psalm 18:16 & 19, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters…He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (NIV)

Driving home from work tonight, I smiled at how sunny it was. Not long ago, the drive home was dark and uninteresting. Now there is so much to look at and enjoy (although, yes, I do keep my eyes on the road!). You gotta love Benjamin Franklin for suggesting Daylight Savings Time.

The sunlight-dappled asphalt stretched out before me when Wham! The trees bookending either side of the winding road parted, the lane curved, and suddenly Sun. In. My. Eyes.

I scrambled for my sunglasses and stopped breathing for a second. Blinded! Only going 25mph, but still!

Scary.

Exactly how the big Going To College feels.

Exactly how facing the next step, the next chapter in life always seems to feel. As if every second counts and if I don’t do this or make sure that happens, everything is going to tumble like a house of cards or shatter like headlight glass and My. Future. Will. Be. Ruined.

Scary.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me…” I stamped these verses on my heart two years ago. I adopted them as my theme for the entire school year. My first year of college. My first taste of institutionalized schooling since I graduated from homeschool high school that April.

My first experience with lugging heavy books around (not fun), juggling deadlines and due dates (double not fun), and dealing with obnoxious classmates (triple not fun).

“He brought me out into a spacious place…” This is a big time. This is a big decision (whether or not to go to college, which one to attend, part-time, full-time, majors, minors, this class, that class). This is a big deal.

And it’s scary. Every last little bit. The sheer magnitude of all there is to do in the next few months, all that will happen, all the changes you’ll face…can be blinding.

But there is a God with perfect vision of all that your future holds.

And He is holding you.

He is right there beside you.

No matter what, He will always be there with you. When you face going away to college, picking classes, meeting your roommate, shopping for books (they cost. A lot).

Even graduating with your degree, getting a job, getting married, having children, all that jazz. Whatever tilts the sun into your face and blinds you, remember He is there, ready and willing to hand you the sunglasses. “…He rescued me because he delighted in me.”

Dear Jesus, S-c-a-r-y. That’s how I feel about so much right now. Will You please hold me? Will You please bring me out into a spacious place where I can be still before You? Thank You for never leaving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Are you graduating high school this year? What’s one question about college that freaks you out the most? Are you in college already? What’s one answer to one question you had about college before you started?

Live It

He is right there beside you. Breathe that in for a moment. Out loud, say to yourself, “He is here.” Better yet, pray and thank Him for His promise to never leave you.

More About Rachelle

Rachelle Rea is a proud homeschool high school graduate and a rising college junior at a local Christian university. She coaches gymnastics at her local YMCA and carries a notebook with her at all times for when beauty up and grabs her by the heart.

For more from Rachelle, visit her at www.rachellerea.com.

Teen photo by: Akeeris

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It only takes one second for your life to change. Blazing lights and sirens disrupting the quiet, a man telling you the news in a hushed tone. Pity shining in his eyes. Then there are the tears that won’t cease as you lay in bed at night wondering, “Why, God? Why me?”

I’ve had those moments in my life this year. Maybe you have, too. On one such night I ran out of church, unable to halt the tears. Standing on the porch, shivering, my thoughts came as fast as the falling snow. I tried so hard to hold myself together, to be brave. Strong.

Then a friend followed me outside and asked what was wrong. Knowing I’d break down if I tried to explain, I just shook my head. I thought he’d leave, but instead, he pulled me into his arms and whispered that it was OK. For the first time in months, I allowed myself to cry, to release every emotion I’d held back in an attempt to ignore my life.

Just like my friend, God is there for you and me with arms wide open. No matter what changes life has thrown at us, he can handle our problems. Choosing to be vulnerable and open with God isn’t easy, and your problems won’t magically disappear. But there’s freedom in letting go and the dark days won’t seem so hopeless with God by your side.

Arianna Zander is a high school student living in Europe with her family as missionaries. When she’s not helping out in the ministry, her interests include writing short stories and novels, jewelry design, drawing, foreign languages, and comedy.

Source: Real Teen Faith

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The Vlog: When Friendships Change

If you can’t see Siobhan’s video, click here.

“Whenever we draw near to God, we do suffer. Spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But suffering for God is the highest reward.” – Siobhan Gordon

About Siobhan

Siobhan Gordon is a 20 year old college student in Austin, Texas and has lived there her entire life. She re-dedicated her life to the Lord and since then, God has been calling her to do wonderful things for her community. The Lord told her to start this Channel in order to reach viewers like you who are on fire for the Lord.

Being a Christian teenage girl is not easy in this society, and Siobhan wants to be a help to any girls who are hurting or struggling. Please like her fanpage, check out her YouTube channel, or friend her on facebook!

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I’m a social person. I’ve always had a lot of friends since I was really young. But when I moved from California to Colorado two summers ago, all of that changed.

When you’ve lived in the same state your whole life, it’s easy to stay in contact with people. After all, most of the people you know, you’ve known for a while. Almost all of my friends came from the church I’d been going to for years. It required very little for me to meet new people and still hang out with the old ones.

Then we moved and it all changed. 

I had to rely on emails and phone calls to be with friends. My sister (who is often quiet and reserved with people) immediately met a neighbor girl who she hung out with. My mom connected with people in the neighborhood, and I stayed at home, staring blankly at my computer screen, hoping someone would take pity on me and write.

I lasted over a whole summer and into the next school year before I met people. It’s easy to lose focus as it comes to friends, whether we have a lot or none.

Here are some tips I found helpful for the times when it’s hard to keep things in perspective.

Keep Jesus first

Jesus is the best friend out there- He’s always there, He’ll never betray you, and His advice is perfect. It sounds cliché, but talking to Jesus is way better than talking to anyone else. He’ll help you keep your priorities straight and be there for you.

Look at your heart

Have a focus and a purpose bigger than just hanging around with friends. Make sure your reasons for wanting a friend are right. I know that one of the main reasons I wanted to have a friend is because I always had friends, and I thought my life would be empty without them.

Treasure the friends you’ve made in the past

A real friend doesn’t leave another behind. If you no longer live close to a friend, still treasure their relationship and make an effort to talk to them.

Use the time you’re given wisely

God put you in the place you’re in for a good reason. Maybe you can use the extra time to get to know God better, practice your skills, and spend time with your family. You might find you enjoy that better than constantly being out with friends. If you do have friends, use the time you’re given to get to know them more and encourage each other.

Rely on God

He’s always there. He’ll get you through whatever times you’re going through. ♥

Source: Real Teen Faith

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