I am having heart palpitations this evening and it is difficult to take a deep breath.  I am not light headed, but I’m extremely tired and it is hard to focus.  I didn’t realize I was experiencing all of this until I sat down to eat my dinner which I wasn’t hungry for.  The flu?  A heart attack?  No.  Homework.  I realized tonight that March is ticking away faster than I can keep up with and I only have a few weeks to finish editing and writing five papers for my class. I realized tonight how much work I have left to do and I think I am experiencing a homework induced anxiety attack. 

In December, Ephesians 3:20 jumped out at me during a sermon I was listening to and I knew it was supposed to be my verse for 2014.  I knew I was supposed to pray, act and do through the filter of “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”  I love that verse.  I love the potential in it.  I love the power in it.  I love it when everything is great and when I’m not having a panic attack about a research paper.  Like many of God’s promises that I love, when I most need them I either forget about them or suddenly they seem to lose their power and abilities in the face of my problems and reality. 

“Dear Lord, Thank you for your Word.  Thank you that you are teaching me to pray Scripture, particularly Ephesins 3:20, when I am not feeling or seeing it.  Thank you that when I finally remember say Scripture over and over again when my heart is racing, I slowly begin to calm down and gain perspective. Thank you for the power that is in your Word and in my life when I remember to speak it, pray it and do life trusting it.  I have to get back to studying but God, please help me have wisdom where I lack it in doing my research and in my writing (James 1:5).  Please help me not be anxious about getting everything turned in on time (Phil. 4:6-7).  And please help me to remember that the power that raised You from the dead lives inside of me (Rom. 8:11).  Pretty sure You can handle a few grad papers.  In Your Name, Amen.”

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