The Exam

I had taken the Psychiatric Mental Health course and finished it in less than a year. This was unheard of, especially for someone working full-time with a second part-time job in the evening. Additionally, I voluntarily served as the president of an association, which required more time than two full-time jobs. I knew it was only by God’s grace that I made it through the program successfully—with my sanity intact.

During this time, I became very anxious and overwhelmed with my day-to-day responsibilities and demanding schedule. The pace was relentless.

The load was almost unbearable.

At times, I felt I did not have the mental capability to speak to God clearly, even to state my needs, as I attempted to have my daily devotions in the morning. I forgot where my source and strength came from and tried to accomplish everything on my own, but to no avail. I had scheduled a date for my exam but changed it because I knew I was not prepared to take the proctored exam on the scheduled date and time.

The new date was soon approaching, and yet I knew I had not given myself enough time to study and retain the necessary information. I had no other option but to take the exam I had rescheduled because it was too late to make any further schedule changes. I realized I only had a few days left to study and determined to make the most of every minute. Sabbath was approaching. Should I use it as a study day? I remembered that God promised in Philippians 4:19 to supply all our needs and decided that studying was not an option on the Sabbath. The other days would have to be sufficient. I followed God’s commandment and kept the Sabbath day holy. I began to study on the Sunday before the exam.

My sisters, we can take God at His word.

We can trust Him even when we cannot see Him at work. The Bible is filled with powerful promises He invites us to claim.

A favorite of mine is “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, KJV). If we are faithful to God, He will be faithful to us. I was successful in the exam. We serve a living God; all we have to do is trust and obey.

Christie Simon-Waterman