March 29, 2024

A Daughter’s Worth Week 1: Handling Stress at School

 

Growing up I had a pretty easy, happy childhood for the most part. My only stress at the time was my friends. They used to tease me endlessly about my long legs and small frame; I became ‘daddy long legs’ to them, which hurt me terribly. I used to hate going to school, at one point I requested to change classes, but that did not happen, I just could not handle the name calling anymore. Until my late 20’s I was under-weight, I remember wanting to donate blood, but couldn’t because of my weight. That however was my only stress at the time.

As a teacher, I see many students under different types of stress. As educational requirements get more stringent in all levels of education, students everywhere experience considerable school stress. You have to make good grades to attend good schools after high school. You have to make honor roll in order to participate in extra-curricular activities, to get that iPod touch, new phone, dress, watch, etc. Your teachers, parents, coaches, youth leaders, they all seem to expect so much of you! Sometimes you just want to yell,” Give me a break you guys, I’m only a kid!”

Now academics are not the only stress you have to deal with. Extra-curricular activities can also become extremely daunting, especially when one of your parents excelled in a certain sport and they want you to follow in their footsteps. The other stressor that is becoming quit alarming is that of bullying. Bullies come in different forms and they are all pretty harmful. You might be hurt by your so-called friends who bad mouthed you just to get some type of recognition; enduring the teasing by the popular click at your school for not wearing the latest fashion, wearing your hair in a certain style, playing in the school band or just being real clever. Whatever it might be, there will always be someone who find fault with what it is you are doing, how you do it. The Bible tells us in Psalms 139:14 that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

At times when you might feel like everything is coming undone, remember that you don’t have to suffer alone; you can talk to your parents, youth pastor, a trusted friend or a teacher. If you need extra help with your school work, you can ask a teacher to assist you before or after school, you can also work out a study plan that will help you understand and remember facts and formulae’s. You might even get a study buddy who is stronger in a specific subject and can help you.

Remember that changing your wardrobe, wearing your hair in a different style might not be the answer. Surround yourself with people who like you for who you are, people who love God. All the world’s potatoes were not going to fatten up my skinny legs, I had to accept myself for who I was, skinny, long legs and all.

It might seem that as a teenager a lot is expected of you, but believe me,” You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you”!

Let us pray:

Father, thank you for every girl represented in these groups. Thank you that we can give You our stress and that You will deal with it accordingly. Thank you for Your promise that no weapons formed against us shall prosper. You are in control in our lives and we love You very much. Amen.

Be blessed my friends!

Edwina

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For this Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. We will begin the devotional part of this study next week, so really, you have until NEXT MONDAY to get your book! You can even order it right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Our new study is A Daughter’s Worth! Please email teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

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About Edwina Howard

Edwina Botha Howard – Blog Contributor – Singles Ministry
Edwina currently lives in Cape Town, South Africa. She is married to an awesome man and has an adorable 12 year old daughter. She is an International English Teacher and has traveled quit extensively. Edwina loves to read and travel, experiencing new cultures and trying out foreign cuisine. Her message to others is stop fretting, God is in control!

Comments

  1. Edwina….what a great blog this morning. I wish I had read this when I was a teenager. However, it is still applicable to my age now. Thank you for the encouraging words. Loved this!

  2. This REALLY touched my heart!!! I remember when I was in school, I was made fun of because of my bucked teeth. It hurt so bad when the kids would call me "Beaver"! I just wanted to get rid of my teeth so bad!!! I wish I had been a christian at that time and knew just how much God loved me for who I was. I wish I knew then that I was made in His image, and that I was fearfully and wonderfully made! I grew up with a lot of complexes. But today, I KNOW who I am in Him, and I don't care what others think of my looks! As long as I am happy with who I am, and that my body pleases the Lord, that's all that matters to me now! Praise God that we have a loving Father who loves us just as we are!!! GREAT post Edwina!!

  3. Edwina, this was a great blog post and I've shared it with my 13 yr old daughter. The pressure kids are under these days is incredible. Add ontop the bullying some receive and their whole world can seem overwhelming. Your post spoke volumes to me and I hope it will to my daughter, as well as her friends. Thank you!

  4. This is beautiful!!!! I constantly got made fun of for having a "beauty mark" on my face. Those cruel comments stuck with me for so long. I still remember the pain behind others hurtful words. Just recently someone told me, my beauty mark is just God's fingerprint!! I love that way of thinking. And, I love this post, it is such a great reminder to embrace the YOU God created YOU to be:) Thanks Edwina!

  5. Edwina thanks for blessing me with this wonderful blog post! We deal with so many things in life that stress us out so easily…we could all do without!! LOL!! Thanks for reminding us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and that we should surround ourselves with people who love us for who we are and who love God!! <3

  6. jackiechingawale says

    Edwina, thank you so much for an excellent blog post. It not only touches the teens but all of us. We want our friends to think we have it all together so we buy everything the neighbors have but we are never satisfied. Only God can satisfy us.