Youth

Was I going to flunk? 

The night before the final exam, I began to panic.
How could something spiritual and good be injured or have a fever? It can’t!
No matter what storms we face in life—literal storms or mental ones—God is not in them, but He is still with us. 
It was her first roommate situation, but this author was still expecting the best . . . until her roommate walked in. What saved her from a miserable year? Jesus’ teachings.

After the scary movie 

When it was time to turn out the lights and go to bed, I couldn’t stop picturing scary images from that movie. I knew it had all been fake, but I was still afraid.

Afraid of public speaking? 

She agreed to the high school pageant, not realizing that she was going to have to give a speech in front of everyone. Could prayer help her vanquish her fears?
Her boarding school experience seemed to be off to a bad start when this teen found out she wasn’t in the dorm with all her friends. Even worse, it seemed like her plans to switch to a new room were falling apart. Could God have an answer for her?

What’s my talent? 

Annie’s teacher reminded her, since our identity is God-created, only God can tell us what’s true about us. She suggested that Annie listen for God to tell her who she really was.

You belong here 

When a church member criticized what she was wearing, this twenty-something wasn’t so sure she wanted to go back to church. Where was the inclusiveness she longed for? She was about to find out.
The joy I felt playing basketball is a spiritual quality from God, so I can never lose it. 

Why didn’t I get the part? 

She felt sure she was going to get the part in the school play. She’d even prayed about it! So when she didn’t, this high school student felt more than let down. Had God not heard her prayers?
If you think loving yourself either sounds silly or impossible, think again. There’s actual power—spiritual power—in knowing you’re loved and why.