In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9, NIV

While walking past a classroom one morning, a teacher overheard another teacher raising her voice at a student in front of the class. The teacher in the hall paused, as this was not the normal way the teacher in the classroom spoke to the class. Peering into the classroom, the teacher in the hall could see the surprise, worry, and hurt on the students’ faces as the yelling continued. It quickly became evident that the words coming out of the classroom teacher’s mouth had a lot more to do with frustration and hurt than the actual event that was occurring with the student that morning. 

As an educator, you have either been the teacher in the hall or the teacher in the classroom at some point in your career. Despite our best-laid plans and lessons, inevitable disruptions can easily cause our emotions to go off course. Normally, a student rebuttal or joke wouldn’t get much response. But on a day when an educator’s heart is already bruised or broken, a different reaction may occur. 

Whether you are the teacher in the hall or the teacher in the classroom, the following practices can help educators hold onto hope and not lose heart, even on tough days:

Pray and Trust in God’s Plan – Proverbs 3:5-6

Surrender your plans and frustrations to God, trusting that He will establish your steps and provide wisdom in challenging situations. 

Practice Forgiveness and Grace – Ephesians 4:32

Extend grace to yourself and others, recognizing that everyone makes mistakes and falls short at times. By fostering an environment of forgiveness and grace, you can cultivate resilience and maintain positive relationships with students and colleagues. 

Seek Strength in Community and Fellowship – Hebrews 10:24-25

Connect with a community of like-minded individuals who can offer support, prayer, and encouragement during challenging times. By building relationships within a community of faith, you can find strength and hope to persevere in your calling.

By incorporating these biblical practices, educators can hold onto hope and find resilience even in the face of adversity. So the next time you are in the hall, or you are the teacher in the classroom, I encourage you to draw upon the verses and exercises above to recalibrate yourself to the Lord, strengthening the muscle in your heart to love and serve.