S3 Stories of Strength

Do Not Fear, For I Am With You

My journey with S3 didn’t start as a typical club experience. The story behind why and how I started S3 is truly an act of God working in my life, and it still amazes me when I think about it today. In 8th grade, I sadly had to experience the suicide of an acquaintance, and less than a year later one of my fellow classmates passed away.

Fast forward to freshman year, the first day of school, during the 8th-period I was assigned to sit next to a girl I had known since elementary school. I made sure to converse with her since I knew she was a bit shy. The next morning, in my 2nd-period class, my friend had told me that someone had passed away last night, and when I asked who, I was instantly filled with grief. It was the girl from my 8th-period class. I had experienced so much death in the past few years.

That night, I talked to my parents about wanting to do something for students who felt they were alone. I expressed a desire to create a club where all were welcome. Somewhere we could talk about how God works in our daily lives in school and through the trials. Somewhere students could feel that they are not alone.

The next weekend, my stepmom flew out of town, and on her plane ride back she met Terry Ann (the president and founder of Students Standing Strong). Terry Ann told her all about S3 and the amazing things they do. Immediately, my mom knew that this might be the club I wanted to start and it turns out this is exactly where God was leading me. We met with my school and began S3 club in the second semester of my freshman year.

I was very nervous but in Isaiah 41:10, God says to Isaiah, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand.”

This scripture gave me the strength to not be afraid of the journey God had ahead of me. Since starting S3 at Byron, we have had more than 50 people attend S3. It has been a true blessing from the Lord to meet so many people and change so many lives through a wondrous student-led club.

-Jen, S3 Byron Nelson High School student

My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

I constantly have to remind myself of this scripture. I remind myself; everything that is happening is happening because of God’s will, not my own. We need to trust Him during this time of panic and fear and remember He turns everything for His good and He has a plan. There is a purpose. We have to pray and tell him about our fears and worries. During these next weeks of uncertainty remind yourself to use this time to glorify and learn about our Lord. Don’t waste this time He has allowed.

Yes, it is a scary thing to think about a pandemic. BUT if you keep your heart, soul, and mind SUBMITTED to God, He will show you your path. Trust Him, there IS a purpose. God is looking out for you; see HIM, show HIM, listen to HIM.

Know God is in control; be aware of the ways of the world but know God’s purpose behind it. Pour out your heart to God and He will show you your path.

-Laci, Colleyville Heritage High School Student

Be Joyful in Hope!

Hi! My name is Abby. I am in 6th grade and I grew up in a family with a love for Christ, and through S3 have been able to grow closer to the Lord. I first joined Students Standing Strong (S3) when I was in 5th grade, and I immediately loved it!

My S3 leader, Mrs. Lipp, was encouraging towards us all and was always so patient too. I was encouraged by her and I started to dive deeper into God’s Word because of it. She has influenced me and so many others along the way. I think that S3 is a great program for students who are looking to make friends and dive into God’s Word.

 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12.

Throughout our lives, we will most likely never have a time like this again where we required to stay in and wear masks. Will you look back on this time and be proud of what you did during your free time? Or will you look back in tears and regret? Throughout this rough time, I challenge you to take just five minutes out of your time on your phone or TV and think about what you can do to grow closer to the Lord.

-Abby, S3 Eubanks Student

Fix My Eyes Back On God

In this world, we tend to get distracted by the small happenings of the now, but during this time of uncertainty and isolation, it’s time we fix our eyes back on the God that gave us this life. 

I tend to be a person who likes to be busy with everything and feel useful to those around me. But because of this, I tend to lose my focus on why I’m busy and my purpose of bringing glory to God. During this time, I have been able to slow down and really focus on what has been pulling me away from God. I have realized that I wasn’t giving God the attention I did when I was first saved and that I seemed to only be going through motions, rather truly worshipping and loving God.

In Deuteronomy 6:5, Moses tells the Israelites “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Loving God means giving Him our attention and full devotion. Moses doesn’t say to do this in between a schedule or once a week, he says to do it continually with all of your might! It may be difficult for people in high school or middle school to really slow down and really listen to God and what He has to say, but having groups like S3 and having daily time can bring that devotion back to Him. God calls us to look to Him and focus on what He wants us to do, even if that means changing the way you live and think. 

My challenge to you is that you take time to truly devote yourself to God. Spend time reading His word. Immerse your self into worship and prayer and focus on the good God has truly done in your life. Don’t let the fire you once had when you were first saved fade, but rather continue to rage on. 

-Ashley, an S3 student 🙂

Hope in a Hopeless Time!

This is not at all how I thought the end of my sophomore year was going to look! While I was expecting the fun that comes at the end of a school year, I worry now about when we will all be able to get back together. But we have to have hope.

One of my favorite verses about hope is Jeremiah 29:11. It says, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I like this verse because it says God has a plan for YOU!

A friend of mine shared a verse with me, Matthew 5: 13-16. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deed and glorify your Father in heaven.” So God gives us hope that we will get to the light on top of the mountain (Shout out to Ryleigh fellow S3 member).

Hope is one of the main things about being a Christian. Like Paul said in Romans 8:24, “For in hope we were saved.” We don’t know what is to come for us as students, but we have to have hope.

There is more to come for us. God gives us this hope if we ask for it. We have to pray for it. This strengthens us and helps us through tough times.

– Ethan, S3 Student