DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Had a revelation today. God helped me..

I am a special education teacher for an inner-city school district. As summer winds down, my anxiety has picked up. I worry immensely about the upcoming school year. Earlier this summer, the principal called me and asked if I would be willing to take on a group of eighth grade students who have been coded with "Emotional Disturbance". To which I accepted. It was no surprise that their teacher from last year didn't return after having a rough school year with them (threats, behavior, etc.)

I accepted the position earlier this summer. As the year draws closer, I have never regretted anything so much in my life as I regret becoming a teacher. The stress involved with the schooling and licensing examinations has taken its toll on my family and I. I have spent hours upon hours studying and worrying about examination results. Going into this school year, the state of Ohio has implemented a mentoring program for new teachers, who must pass a series of assessments over a four year span in order to have their licenses renewed. - I just found this out last week. Needless to write, the stress has gotten to me. I have been stressed about my class during the upcoming school year, stressed about my student loans, stressed about future licensure observations that will take place in a classroom with Emotionally Disturbed students, stressed about failing. That's a big one right there, I have been so stressed about failing. . .

I spent this morning with my daughter while my wife stayed home. I took my daughter to a park and tried to play with her. The only problem was my mind was preoccupied with worry and stress about what I will endure over the next few months. I did as best as I could, and smiled as often as I could, but the fact was, I couldn't focus on my daughter because I was too stressed out. After I got home, I let it out to my wife. I conveyed how badly I regretted taking out loans to become a teacher when I could have done something far more enjoyable, I spoke about how difficult the next year will be given the class I will have, I told her how badly I wanted to find a different career in spite of all the licensure and education I have acquired in becoming a teacher. My wife listened and reminded me that if she replied, she would sound like a broken record because she has been hearing this from me over the last year.


I then went into the basement and sat there, on the verge of sobbing. I wrote down my thoughts. After writing for about thirty minutes, my mood did not improve. Finally, I asked God for help. I specifically wrote "God please help me". I then sat there with my eyes closed for about 15 seconds, and then all of a sudden, a calming thought came over me. The words "what are you afraid of?" flashed through my mind. I opened my eyes, and asked myself: What is there to be afraid of? I can deal with criticism from the state or from whomever is in charge of me, and more importantly, I can deal with prospect of not having a job due to layoff or unsatisfactory performance.

I have family, and friends to pull me through no matter what may happen in the future. - Just as I have and will continue to do everything I can to get them through hard times.

Minutes after coming to this revelation, I spoke to a fellow special education teacher who has 20+ years of experience in the same district that I work in. Her father is a minister. I told her about my revelation, and she took it a step further and noted that we (all people) exist to bring each other closer to God, and that this goes for students and teachers as well. She noted that as teachers we have to do the best we can to bring our students closer to God while we do the best we can to educate them and manage their behavior.

My anxiety and fear is gone.

For those of you who are similar to me and struggle with anxiety and fear, I have included a few quotes from the Bible down below. This has helped me a great deal.

"I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you ... No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you."

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?"

Know what?

You're gonna be just fine.

I could go into my personal stuff, but I won't.

You'll be just fine. Believe it, live it.

That was awesome. Thank you for sharing.

No prob. It just took me by surprise how my mood could go from such worry to such calm. Such a simple solution to what appeared to be such a mountain of stress. "What are you afraid of?" Good stuff.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...

As a parent of special needs children, Thank You for your courage!

Thank you for sharing that. I have had similar experiences when I thought that I was at the end of my rope, and almost screamed out to God, "Why?". I too have felt the comforting presence of Him come close to me, and it's amazing how I have felt myself go from completely ready to give up to calm and ready to go forward, knowing that God is with me. It is amazing how you described what I have felt so precisely.

We are told that God gives us no burdens that we cannot bear. I believe that is true, if we let Him into our lives to help us when we need help. God bless you and your family.

Psalm 23

King James Version (KJV)

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Good luck with the new year. Just take it one day at a time.

Mathew 6
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I am a retired teacher, so is my wife. We pray for your strength, and we are grateful that you choose to contend daily. Nobody said it would be easy. But you will be fine. Ask for help. It is called daily bread for a reason. Leave it better than you found it.

I'm not much of a religious guy, but I'm glad you figured out how to move forward. Congratulations and well done.

Now, conquer your career.

Have a great year, RM!

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

As I fight back tears. I myself am going through a very emotional time in my life. Thank you sooo! much for the story. You my pc friend have helped me and for that I say thank you and Go! Browns!