“Phew, I’ve made it through the first half of the year. Another 5 more months to go…”

Has the year been passing by so quickly that you’ve no time to breathe? Or has it been too slow that you’re getting sick of it already? Are you stressed out by having to perform all the time—for your parents, your school, yourself?

Stress is a popular catch-all term for the pressures or tension—or causes of pressure and tension—that humans feel. The prevalence of stress as a topic of discussion and best-selling books, as well as our broad application of this term, reflects our confusion about how we should view stress and how we should respond to it. Regardless of the reasons, stress is having increasing impact on students, regardless of age. Stress is both common and morally neutral (in a sense). What’s important is how to deal with stress as Christian students.

Jesus once said to his disciples and followers, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30) Today, he is still calling you to rest in him. It is hard to not worry but there is a better way out than to just keep worrying.

What will your choice be today?