by Joy Bennett

As Christian teachers, we have numerous trials. We need hope and God’s Word is our source. Paul says, “thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:57). Next, he explains our responsibility and God’s promise: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58). Especially regarding teaching, I need to hear that my labor is not in vain.

Our Students Struggle

The burden of teaching is magnified because students have struggles. Well over 100 different personalities walk through my door each week, and most are suffering from some unseen burden. When I read my students’ journal entries, I find their personal problems unfathomable. Separately, some are bitter about school, believing teachers heap hardship upon them with homework, the final straw, the topmost teetering item added to an invisible stack they’re working to balance – somehow. Meanwhile, our students haven’t fully learned to regulate their emotions so they send mixed messages. I look for God’s strength as I bear their cold stares or deep sighs and try to find the truth about how they’re doing. But, when life’s hard on them, it tends to be hard on me. I have a responsibility to cling to Christ.

Teachers Face Battles

As Christian teachers, we face battles while we work to fulfill a multifaceted job description. We are called to abound in the work of the Lord while also giving effective instruction. We work to be faithful and steadfast but the enemy shows up with a regular battle plan. We fight the expressions of sin from students, parents, and staff. We also fight against our flesh which wants to take a self-protective or prideful stance. Other times we fight against time constraints, student behavior issues, and illnesses. We must put on the full armor of God while we look to the Lord for what He is doing (Eph 6:10-18).

God is at Work 

Meanwhile, the battle belongs to the Lord (1 Sam 17:47; Eph 6:10) and He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him (Rom 8:28). To walk victoriously, we need to saturate our minds with the Word of God daily, focus on who God is, and commit to praying for ourselves and our students.  

We know that God is good in all He allows and does (Psalm 31:19; Nah 1:7). I find hope when I think about what good could come through any given situation. God commands us to think this way: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil 4:8). So, I make a list of good things which could come from my trial: 

1) Maybe a bitter student is watching my struggles and yet cannot help but see the light of Christ. “[God] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mt 5:45) and yet “we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Cor 2:15). 

2) Perhaps God is allowing a defiant student to struggle, for the sake of their good in the long run, while we feel burdened by their actions: “the destruction of [his] flesh [may be allowed] so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Cor 5:5). 

3) Maybe God will reveal His glory to someone who is watching my response in a trial.  It could be our my family, my students, their parents, or staff members: “[that] they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Pet 2:11-12). 

God’s Work Gives Us Hope

These are only a few examples, but God’s work transcends our understanding and provides hope no matter what. “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely [accomplish good]” (1 Thes 5:24). Let us see the “immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might” (Eph 1:19).

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:57). We “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Rom 5:3-4). Therefore, fight discouragement and strengthen your stance by memorizing this verse for your ongoing encouragement: “Be steadfast…always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58). Can you find three more memory verses which will help you in this area?