working hard

     School started again on Monday, and my midterms are next week (I have seven!). Naturally, I'm starting to realize that working hard isn't just working your tail off 24-7. There is a method to the madness. While I'm nowhere near good at working hard or working efficiently, I'm learning, and I thought I would share a few things that have helped me.

one) Pray. Jesus already knows what you need, so if you ask him for strength and diligence, he will for sure give it to you. (John 11:22) (James 1:5 - one of my all-time favorite Scriptures)

two) Prioritize. I know from experience that when you are juggling a lot of subjects (or projects at work, or whatever it is), it's hard to prioritize. Everything needs to be done! Right now! This mindset often leads me to stress and inefficiency. For example, maybe I have a lot of math to catch up on, but there is a Chemistry test due Monday. I'm really bad at Chemistry, so I should study. Meanwhile, I get further behind in math. The important thing is to take it one step at a time. It's not possible to multitask in this area. Don't try it - it only makes things worse. Figuring out what needs the most attention the fastest can help you get perspective. Once you are done that, you can move on.

three) Determine when you're not going to work. This is important because you can't work all the time. It's not healthy, nor does it produce the best results. There needs to be time for eating, sleeping, exercising, and spending brain-time on things that you enjoy. Quality of life MUST be maintained. I have decided that around approximately 8:30-9:00 at night, I will stop working or even thinking about school. My brain doesn't function properly when it knows I'm supposed to be relaxing. I usually read a good book after this point, so I can unwind and try to stop running on school adrenaline.

four) Find your motivation. I really hate it when I'm behind on a subject, or don't understand it and thus feel constantly confused and get poor grades. I've been in this situation enough so that this is my motivation to work hard. It won't get done if I don't do it. And the feeling of an A and understanding material is pretty darn awesome. :)

Hope this helps anyone who wants so badly to work hard but struggles with it, like me. Have a nice rest of the week, and to all of my classmates who read my blog: Happy Exams, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

s

ha, ha, ha, ha...

     My sisters and I have started a Bible study!

We are studying James, and last night we focused in on James 1:2-4, which says:

 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

      We asked each other how we could apply this verse to the next day (today, as it happens). I mentioned that I have a lot of free time on Friday to do homework, but a lot of times I'm so tired from the week that I don't take advantage of the time I have to get work done. I was thinking I would apply this verse by seeing this temptation to not do work as something to test my faith. I was determined to let it produce steadfastness in me. It was exciting. Think of all the work I would get done!

     I woke up this morning and suddenly remembered: I have a Latin test due tonight! And I haven't studied for it! And I don't know the material at all! Hurrah. This is lovely.

     It's now 5:30 in the afternoon, and I'm STILL. STUDYING. Getting lots of homework done today?

     Ha, ha, ha, ha...

I thought the struggle would be not wanting to do work.. but alas, that wasn't it. The struggle is that I would have to study all day for a test and not get a whole lot of other work done.

     But God works in his own way. And I'm growing through this. Plus, he's helping me with my Latin and I'm understanding it more.

     God is so wonderful. And funny. 

:) 

Sarah 

one little word

     Today in church, my pastor talked about the devil and temptation, and how we can resist that temptation. It was such an encouraging and inspiring message for me, especially as I'm entering the school year (speaking of the school year, prayer is appreciated; I start tomorrow) - I need to remember that I have all of the power I need from God inside of me to resist temptation.
     I am the biggest procrastinator you ever met. No exaggeration. It's difficult when I keep saying "I can read that later" or "I can do that in a minute" only to find myself cramming - again. I wonder what happened this time. I try so hard!!! Why isn't it working?
     I'm learning to be patient with myself. I'm not perfect, and I need to rely on God more. And I need to be patient with myself and my struggles. It's not easy getting past them, and it's impossible if I try to do it without God.
     A verse my pastor mentioned really, really encouraged me. I'm positive you've all heard it before - I've heard it before. But it took on new meaning today:

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

      Maybe it's because I've felt so bound lately - always wanting to be perfect; never wanting anyone to think poorly of me. It's exhausting. I want freedom. I want the devil to flee from me.
 
One little word shall fell him.
Jesus.

We sang "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" in church and it is now my anthem.

The spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth!

I want to draw near to God and resist the devil. I know I'll find freedom in Jesus. :)

-Sarah

P.S. Happy Labor Day :)

I am alive and well, despite the evidence this little blog shows.

     Dearest readers, I have neglected this blog dreadfully. Wednesday after wednesday passes, and there is no verse. No posts in between, either. I still log onto blogger occasionally and looked at the page-views. . . surprisingly, the number still crawls semi-steadily upward. I don't deserve such faithful readers. Haha.
     The truth is, school happens, and blogging doesn't. It seems the two can't coexist. But God has been working mightily, even if I haven't been able to document it here. He's showing his power and strength and faithfulness again and again as I try to cut down on the proverbial mountain of homework looming before me. (As a side note, I like saying that I'm trying to make a dent in a mountain of homework. Because it's like, I do work, and then the mountain gets smaller, but it's like the mountain isn't really there, it's just metaphorical, but I can see the dent that I made, because, you know, I did some work. . . if you understood my thought process there you win a pretend all-expenses paid trip for four to Disney World.)
     So. I can't say when I will get back to blogging, but I will try my very hardest. I think it's safe to say that I'm kind of taking a break. But please! keep checking occasionally to see if I've done anything. I don't want to lose y'all :)

How has God been working in your life? Please tell me if you would. I'd love to hear y'all's stories. :)

-Sarah :)

Post scriptum: I've probably shared this verse multiple times before, but I'd like to share it again because it seems to have become my "theme verse."

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5

wednesday verse

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

James 3:5

wednesday verse

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5

P.S. Happy Independence Day! :)