Education

Finding Joy Through Suffering: A Christian Perspective

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Endure for Greater

I think we should all pay back what we owe. The process of repayment is difficult and invokes suffering. While in the middle of challenging times, it helps to think of the goals you hope to accomplish. For example, Jesus knew he would suffer, how he would suffer, and what he was set to achieve through suffering. Looking to something greater than ourselves to obtain greater is what Christ did and serves as our example as explained in Hebrews 12:2.

Our Issues Today

Christ took things a step further by rejecting Satan’s temptations in the wilderness as found in Matthew 4:1-11. The temptations Christ overcame are no different from what we encounter today:

  1. Desire to satisfy ourselves without relying on God.
  2. A longing to prove ourselves worthy of association with others.
  3. Urge to yield power at the cost of legitimate authority.

Sacrifice = Pain

Luke 9:22-24 illustrates Jesus knew the sacrifice he faced for a brighter future.  Jesus had a crew of 12 which consisted of his best friends, with one ultimately betraying him.  With that said, life’s challenges are difficult to do alone; but it is our faith in Him to see us through the difficult times of life that we see the Lord’s power revealed.  I am a testimony of the Lord’s power to lift you out of despair and replace your sorrows in the midst of ongoing troubles with joy.

What Joy Means to Me

Having joy in the Lord does not mean everything will work out fine.  My student loans did not just miraculously pay themselves, but I found myself enjoying the process in knowing one day my loan balance would be zero.  My joy in Christ did not make times of unemployment, or being passed over for promotions less painful.  The joy I have in Christ is a reminder that life gets so much better if I yield life’s outcomes to my creator. I have no regrets for the way things turned out in my life.

Past, Present, and Future

If you regret you are looking back, when you worry you are looking forward.  If you aren’t careful, the regret of yesterday and the worry about tomorrow will squeeze you so tightly you won’t have a today.

That’s all for now, until next time everyone.  Stay strong!  Fight on and have No Debt But Love, peace and blessings!

Colleges consider a tuition freeze amid pandemic

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May 7, 2020

Jessica Dickler, CNBC

As the financial strain on the families of college students worsens, there’s one measure few schools have considered until now.

A number of colleges are freezing tuition in hopes of attracting more students and families struggling with the weight of a higher-education tab.

In the face of Covid-19, the College of William & Mary said it would roll back a previously approved 3% tuition increase and keep tuition and fees for all students unchanged for the coming year. 

Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania, Kansas City University and Central Michigan University, among other colleges across the country, all announced similar measures to freeze undergraduate tuition and fees.

“We know if we do this other universities may do it,” said Central Michigan University’s president, Robert Davies.

A number of colleges are freezing tuition in hopes of attracting more students and families struggling with the weight of a higher-education tab.

In the face of Covid-19, the College of William & Mary said it would roll back a previously approved 3% tuition increase and keep tuition and fees for all students unchanged for the coming year. 

Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania, Kansas City University and Central Michigan University, among other colleges across the country, all announced similar measures to freeze undergraduate tuition and fees.

“We know if we do this other universities may do it,” said Central Michigan University’s president, Robert Davies.

To Read More, Click Link Below:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/colleges-consider-a-tuition-freeze-amid-pandemic/ar-BB13JNeR?ocid=spartanntp

Tuition Assistance Is Here! $65,596.78 Paid, $19,711.29 Till Payoff

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Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop

Just because you have “finished” college doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider going back. I know… I know… I’m still paying back my undergrad and grad school student loans. Remember, there are many ways to pay for school besides going into debt (Scholarships, Family, Grants, 529 Plans, and crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe®).

However, an often overlooked tuition assistance source is employers.

Work Hard, Learn More

That’s right! Your job may extend scholarships to you and your dependent children. You may also get a salary boost or stipend for earning your degree as an employee. Talk to your HR office about existing educational benefits for yourself and perhaps your dependents. With the rising cost of tuition, a dollar saved is a dollar earned; because tuition won’t cost you pennies. That’s for sure.

Colleges and universities also offer great staff/administrator educational benefits. I am fortunate to work in higher education, so my employer pays the costs of two classes each fall/spring/summer sessions regardless of credit hour and final grade earned. However, I am mindful that my boss reviews my midterm and final grades to justify spending on my educational endeavors.

Employers Need Skilled Workers

Did you know your state may offer tuition exemptions/waivers for certain occupations? For example, the state of Texas will cover the cost of tuition for Police Officers enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice classes. Firefighters receive the same benefit as employees or active members of volunteer fire departments to take Fire Science courses.

Right now, I am completing accounting courses in route to a certification to further improve my financial literacy. I am blessed with the opportunity to share my student loan debt story with students daily. The Lord has placed other things on my heart to take this mission further. It’s rough at times but as Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers says, “Trust the Process”.

Life’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Here’s an update on my student loan progress below. Until next time everyone! Stay strong, fight on, and have no debt but love.