Thought for the Day - Tuesday 4 August

Thought for the Day – Tuesday 4^th August

^{‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’}

 (Philippians 4: v13)

 

Today is a day where young folk should be at the front of our minds with the arrival of their examination results.  I guess we can all remember the tension, expectation, dread and possibly fear of that brown envelope.  It tended to contain good news for some, disappointing news for others and results that were somewhere in the middle ground for the rest.

 

I would congratulate those who have worked hard and achieved what they set out to achieve and would wish them well for the next part of life’s journey.  Some will be waiting on qualifications that means they will be going to university.  After the initial celebration, this may be replaced by the anxiety about leaving home, separation from existing friends and the need to make new friends and adjust to the new learning experience.  Remember that even if you are alone in new surroundings, God is always with you, talk to him, thank Him for your blessings and tell Him all your troubles and the load will become lighter.

 

For those who have experienced disappointment this morning, I would attempt to offer some words of consolation:

·         We will all fail at some point in our lives. 

·         You are not alone.

·         Failing is a learning experience which might help us do better in the future.

·         True failure is giving up so instead, look upon it as an opportunity for a new beginning.

·         Failure does not mean rejection by God, it means He has other plans for you.

 

If God closes a door, don’t worry because He will have an even better one open for you.  Spend time with Him in prayer and allow Him to guide you towards it.

 

Loving God,

We pray for all the young people who have received their exam results today.  We recognise that there will be a variety of emotions experienced by them and their parents and relatives and we would ask you provide your support to them at this stressful time.  Help them with their decision making and help them deal with the full gambit of emotions from relief through to disappointment.  We pray that you would lift the hearts of those that need lifting and keep all our young folk physically and emotionally safe during this trying time.  Amen