Sing Song and the middle of the Spring semester is the perfect mix of events to cause the peak of stress in the mind of an ACU college student. But we must fight the feelings of doubt, fear and overwhelmingness that stress ensues to stay true to what is really important, other people.
When we are overwhelmed by the weight of stress we are most likely thinking about our own circumstances, our own schedule, our own needs and our own wants. We get so caught up in these thoughts that we fail to realize how self-focused we have become in those times.
After returning from Christmas break, going into the Spring semester, many students may feel as if they’ve lost all motivation. Christmas break gives you that taste of freedom from assignments and responsibilities, but it is short lived. Now the common phrase is, “If I can just make it to summer.” But the classes don’t head to this student-wide feeling, the classes are the same in nature and rigor.
On top of this mentality in the classroom, Sing Song hits and pushes new routines of three hour long practices and weekend set and costume work. Sing Song is crazy and Sing Song can make you go crazy if you don’t take a step back from it all. Everyone puts so much time into their acts that they want them to win, so much so that it can put unnecessary pressure on the individuals involved.
We see this when we find ourselves getting upset or resentful at thoughts of the other group winning, forgetting that everyone put in many hours and has the same hopes of winning. When camaraderie is gone, there is no fun left to be had.
It all comes down to our ability to refocus. Refocus from ourselves, our personal troubles, our to-do lists, and look to the person next to us.
When is the last time you’ve stopped to ask the person next to you, do you need anything? How can I better serve you this week?
Our biggest struggle is not allowing our natural pessimism and insensibility during our mundane routine blind us from seeing the needs of others. Stress is one of the biggest enemies for a Christian, because it turns us from being people-centered to self-centered. Stress can blind us from our purpose and the truth that God is our great provider.
Stress is also a good indicator that we are looking at things from an earthly perspective, instead of a heavenly one. We turn to a perspective of self help, instead of a perspective that recognizes that no matter what, our God is already there. We can trust him with the future and step into the unknown.
Another helpful tip to battle this feeling of stress, is a matter of prioritizing. Ask yourself, ‘Will this matter five years from now?’ If the answer is no, stop worrying about it.
As the semester continues and the classes don’t get easier, remember the faithfulness of God in past situations similar to your current situation. Find peace. Perservere. Good things are happening and soon enough, it will be summer again.
