This post is dedicated to high school students returning to school. It’s also helpful to adults, parents, and teachers. May the Lord guide, direct, and protect these souls as they naviagate through another year. Make it great!
I’m not a philosopher. I’m not a theologian. I’m not a psychologist or psychiatrist. I don’t claim to have all the wisdom in the world, but I believe if God downloads something in your heart and mind, you need to obey it! (1 Samuel 15:22)
On August 8th of this year, 2025, I awoke at 1:20 am to a loud hammering sound in my ears, like someone was pounding on a piece of plywood. And then, a song broke the beating. It was on high volume, “Mighty Name of Jesus,” by Hope Darst. The words played over and over again in my brain… On the doorframe of my life, is the blood of Jesus Christ.
I have two teenage daughters who are in high school. Earlier in the evening, I had been pondering their upcoming school year: “What counsel, what feedback, and what hope can I share with my kids without them stressing out?”
Back to my middle-of-the-night shaking. There was no way I was falling asleep, so I pulled the covers off and trekked down the stairs to the family room. Sitting in our recliner and rocking back and forth, my mind was flooded with swirling ideas. Grabbing several sticky notes, I fervently wrote whatever crossed my mind. When I was done, I had a list. It’s not conclusive, and more can be added, but I obeyed the thoughts, nonetheless, and wrote them down.
Having refined the list, I recently shared the points with my girls. However, they’ve received them; it’s not on me. My job as a parent is to keep planting the seeds in hopes that things stick. I also realized adults could use these nuggets of encouragement, including myself. Here they are. However you receive them, it is ultimately up to YOU. I’ve done my part.
- The decisions you make today will affect you five years from now. So, make righteous decisions. Choose wisely. It may not be the fun choice, but it may be the right choice for you.
- Practice does make progress. Don’t give up. Keep honing your skills and talents. If your passion is to make something better, it will happen.
- You can acknowledge someone/something, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to accept them/it. You don’t have to follow the crowd.
- People, your friends, and family, struggle with things sometimes. You’re not alone. It’s real. Be kind. Help if you can. Learn to intercede in prayer. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
- Speak up and speak out on issues. Don’t be ignorant of the problems around you.
- Silence is good, but you need to figure out when to be silent and when to speak up.
- Stand up for something, or you’ll fall for anything. And when you stand for something, don’t teeter in your decision. (Ephesians 4:14, James 4:7-9)
- Continually learn. Be a lifelong learner. And test everything. (Philippians 1:9, Ecclesiastes 8:4-6, Proverbs 15:20-22)
- Grow your faith. (2 Peter 3:18)
- Share your faith. Don’t be ashamed of it. Your testimony can be that life-saving line for someone. Don’t hide your love for Christ. Your faith should not be hidden. (Matthew 5:16)
- Pray and seek the Kingdom first, and all will be given to you. God should be at the center of your thoughts, actions, and decisions. (Matthew 6:33)
- Listen to your parents, so things will go well for you. We’re not perfect, but give us a chance to guide you in the direction you need to go. (Ephesians 6:1-3)
- You can’t have boldness without brokenness. Take a chance, fail at something, fall in love, get rejected, grieve, laugh, struggle, and argue. Don’t be a spectator; life is to be participated in.
- Take accountability for your actions. God will forgive you for your trespasses, but it doesn’t mean the consequences of your actions are removed. (See numbers 1, 6 )
- You can’t please everyone. Not everyone will like you, either. It’s okay. Being separate from the world is challenging, but when you are responsible for pleasing The One (Jesus, your Lord and Savior), the others don’t matter. (See number 11)
- When you start something, finish it! Don’t leave things undone. Finish the race. (2 Timothy 4: 6-8)
Lastly, not a point but a good directive, live like Galatians 5:22!
References:
Main Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-photo-of-a-woman-sitting-on-brown-table-3776136/
All biblical references are from BibleGateway.com
