Joy and Peace

School has started again. And, just like that, I'm back into it: the rush, the endless emails, the late nights, the piles of reading. It's like some kind of hurricane, building up from afar and then hitting hard all at once. Granted, this is the last time I'll be starting a fall semester for awhile, and, while that's consoling, it doesn't quite combat the knowledge that I still have to get through this semester and then another before the craziness finally ceases and I'm home-free. Needless to say, I'm needing a lot more than the hope of graduation to keep myself afloat right now.

I ran across part of this entry on pinterest the other day, and reading the whole chapter was pretty calming. For a few moments, unanswered texts and my long list of things to do stopped buzzing around, and I was granted silence. A pretty sweet gift in the midst of anxiety, huh?

Joy and Peace
Rejoice in the lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness shall be known to all. The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the peace of God will be with you.

-Philippians 4:4-9

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phew.