Stress is something that is very evident in young people today. It is something that happens consistently throughout their day-to-day lives. Young people have a lot put on them with school, jobs, responsibilities at home, and commitments to other things, and it can be very easy to get stressed out and worry about things that are to come. I personally struggle with anxiety and worrying about what the future holds. God calls us not to stress because it makes us take out the trust that we have in God and place it in the things of this world; if we remember, however, that God is always with us, then we have nothing to worry about.

Anxiety and worrying are things that come so easily to us. Many different things cause stress and anxiety. School is one of the biggest causes of stress in a young person’s life. The homework, projects, and tests that teachers give cause students to worry about the deadlines and the final grade. Also, the pressure to get good grades and get into a good college have an effect on stress.  Jobs and after school responsibilities also cause stress for young people, especially when they take away from school work and time at home. Issues at work and all of the chores that must be done at home may lead to young people becoming stressed out. All of these things working together cause worry and stress in young people.

Stress, anxiety, and worrying are all things that come to young people, but worrying and being anxious about things is something that God warns us not to do.  In Isaiah 41:10 we are told, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be thou not dismayed; for I am thy God.” This verse shows that when young people do have worries about the future things in life, they are not putting their trust in God. God calls young people to rely on him, and when they do, he will make their paths straight (Prov. 3:6).

When young people put their trust in things other than God, they are doubting God’s plan for them. When they worry about things that are happening to them right now, they think only of their own plan, and how their plan will change their future. However, they fail to recognize that God has a plan for them as well. When they do recognize it, they do not think that his plan means anything for their life. God’s plan always has a meaning, and it is wrong to go worry about what God has in store for each of his children.

There are many examples in the Bible of God’s children who struggled with worrying. Abraham is the first one that comes to mind. Genesis 12:11–12 states Abraham’s fear. “And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.” Abraham was fearful and worried about going to Pharaoh when Pharaoh took his wife. He was scared because Pharaoh wanted his wife, and he wondered what Pharaoh would do to him when he went back to get his wife. He put his trust in God and was given strength to go to Pharaoh and get his wife back.

Another example of one of God’s children worrying in the Bible is Martha. Luke 10:40–42 says, “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Martha worried. She was worried about making Jesus’ stay perfect. Mary, on the other hand, was sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening.  Martha was so worried about what Jesus thought of her serving and how her house looked, but she was worried about the wrong things. She was more focused on the physical things and was less concerned with listening to the amazing words that Jesus had to say. This is a lesson for the young people because it shows that we need to listen to what God has in his plan for his children.

The only way in which young people can know for sure what the plan of God is for them is through prayer. When young people are constant in prayer, they know that God is going to take away their worrying and anxiety. Prayer makes this burden of worrying a little easier to bear. Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” When young people struggle with worries, they are called to take those worries known to God in prayer. God already knows the things that are in the heart, and God will listen.

Another way in which worries can become easier is through devotions. Young people are called to devote everything that they have to God, and doing devotions consistently throughout the course of the day is a way in which young people can give up all of their worries to God.

In order to give up worries, young people need to trust in God. We need to trust that he will be there to help and guide us through all of the fears that have been given to us.  God will calm the concerns of life, and we young people need to remember that. Our calling is to trust. This calling is found in 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Laying all of our fears on God is what we have to do because God cares for us.

When worrying about school, or jobs, or the future, we must remember to rely on God because he will help and guide us throughout His plan.  We must trust in God because he will care for our worries. He will listen to the problems that are brought to him through prayer, and will be there to catch us when we fall.  We are not to worry, because nothing is impossible with God at our side.