There is nothing new under the sun.  So it’s no wonder God uses the same strategy to encourage His people as He did thousands of years ago.  In the Old Testament He would continually remind His people of how He delivered them from fear and troubles in the past.* He is not only faithful to deliver us but also faithful to remind us of how He has done so in our own lives.    

At the time of this journal entry I was beginning my fourth year of college and feeling so horribly inadequate for the teaching program and what would be required of me. “Yikes Lord, what have I done??”  Community college was daunting because of the academic work but I knew I could work independently.  However, this secular teaching program had between twenty and thirty students who would be together every day, every class, for two years.  We would be required to work together, and our grades would be very much dependent on that ability.  I was going very much out of my Christian comfort zone.

From the journal . . . . September 1994

Lord, I remember times that I have been overwhelmed before and You’ve brought me through beyond belief.  I remember Math 107, Botany 101, Speech 101, Spanish 102, and Spanish 103.  I was so stressed, but I aced every one of those classes!  When I am weak, You are strong.  When I think “I can’t do this!  I don’t know how,” You come and gentle my soul.  I don’t know if gentle is ever used as a verb, but You soothe me.  You relax and calm me with Your humble Holy Spirit.  You remind me of Your presence.  You’ve called me and You’ll see me through. You won’t leave.  Thank You, Lord.

And I Believe God Said:

You are like most people.  They can manage life so much better with company.  Walking with Me is best, but for some it isn’t enough.  Most people, even you, need other people.  You can make it with just Me, but it is easier with other people.*  This is a stretch for you.  It’s out of your comfort zone but you must learn to work with people.  Diane, I Am the Lord God, your God.  I Am for you. Help My people.  Love My people.  You have Me to give and Me to gain from them.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ⁹ Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ^{1 11} Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

God was faithful to bring me through with flying colors!!  I graduated summa cum laude, and I learned some very valuable lessons on how to navigate in the world.  The other students were great and we were able to work well in spite of some very significant differences.  It was all part of the plan God had for me!

*Exodus 16:12 15. ¹² Remember the wonders he has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given.

Isaiah 51:2- Yes, think about Abraham, your ancestor, and Sarah, who gave birth to your nation.
Abraham was only one man when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation.” 

Deut 5:15. ¹⁵ Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day..

Psalm 44:2-4 You drove out the pagan nations by your power and gave all the land to our ancestors.
You crushed their enemies and set our ancestors free. ³ They did not conquer the land with their swords;
    it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them,
    for you loved them.