Belmont University - Freshmen First Forty DaysSample

Day 21 – Faith

Of course this won’t be true of everyone’s experience, but by and large our generation is one that grew up being bubble wrapped and sheltered from any foreseeable hurt, conflict, rejection, or disappointment our parents or teachers could protect us from. It’s not in our generation’s DNA to be content in difficult situations because our culture didn’t raise us that way. We didn’t grow up during the Great Depression or suffer through a World War in the way that generations before us have, and so contentment during trying times is often foreign to us. It’s easy to fall into the trap that we deserve this or have a right to that,
but that isn’t the perspective Paul illuminates in this passage. Christ sustains him in everything.

What could that look like during your time at Belmont? When we live with an awkward roommate we didn’t choose, rather than moving out the first week, find strength in Christ when they annoy us to see the enjoyable things about them too. When we feel uncomfortable because we are new and don’t feel like we belong just yet, ask Christ for strength to reach out to someone else who may be feeling the same way and need a friend too. Or when we receive a grade that feels unfair, rather than talking poorly about the professor or asking your parents to talk to your professor for you, ask Christ for strength and wisdom to speak with the professor yourself.

It is easy to read passages like this and jump to the drastic examples of persecution and suffering as the situation Paul is referring to, but he says “in every situation.” So what is it for you? Where are the areas or situations in your life where you need to ask God to sustain you or give you strength? Are you willing to ask Christ for strength instead of complaining or avoiding the circumstance all together? If not, why?

ABIGAIL RODRIGUEZ | Resident Director | Heron Hall