“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” Psalm 105:4, NLT
It is the middle of a testing session. Students are on their computers, clicking through questions, some moving quickly while others sit staring at the screen. You glance around the room. One student is clearly frustrated. Another keeps looking around, unsure of what to do next. The clock keeps ticking, and you can feel the pressure building. There is so much in this moment that you cannot control.
In a season like this, it is easy to focus only on the test, timing, and results. Yet right in the middle of it, Psalm 105:4 redirects us: seek the Lord and His strength continually.
Not just before the day begins—but in the middle of it. It might be a quiet prayer: “Lord, help me be patient.” Or a quick pause: “Give me peace right now.” In those moments, something shifts. While your students are taking a test on a screen, they are also learning something else—something deeper.
They are watching you.
They are seeing how you respond to pressure. They are experiencing the tone of your voice, the look on your face, and the way you handle their questions and frustrations. This is the underlying curriculum.
Every moment is an opportunity to put the fruit of the Spirit on display—
patience with a struggling student,
kindness in a word of encouragement,
gentleness in your response,
self-control when the stress rises.
These are the lessons that will stay with them long after the test is over. Jesus reminds us in John 15 that apart from Him, we can do nothing. Staying connected to Him is what allows this kind of fruit to show up in real time.
So today, when the pressure begins to build, pause. Seek Him. Ask for His strength. Then choose to live out the underlying curriculum right in front of your students. Because even in testing season, that is what matters most.
Lord, in the middle of this busy season, help me to seek You continually. When I feel pressure rising, remind me to rely on Your strength. Help me to show patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control in every interaction. Let my life reflect You so clearly that my students see Your love through me. Thank You for being with me in every moment today. Amen.
Copyright Dr. Jackie Minor.
Dr. Jackie Minor is the Director of Victorious Educator Ministries and the author of the newly released book: Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display. You can connect with her or learn more at www.victoriouseducator.com.
