I attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Kim (my wife) and I were a married couple with two children.  We were "on fire" for the Lord and ready to tackle full-time Christian ministry.

Trying to raise a family and attend school full-time was a challenge.  The Lord always came through when finances were needed.  It seemed that we always had just enough to get by.  We were happy for God’s provisions and thankful for the opportunity to grow in our faith and life lessons.

Sometimes the pressure of finances and school weighed heavily upon my emotions.  In my efforts to find a bit of peace in the midst of the storm, I would retreat to the quiet setting of my home in graduate housing.  During the week, Kim was usually at work, and the kids were at school.

I remember sitting in my chair one morning; reading a textbook.  I was preparing for an exam.  Suddenly, stress just overwhelmed me.  Emotionally, I felt as if someone had put my life into an iron press and began squeezing me slowly.  I cried out to the Lord for help!

God heard my cry and comforted my spirit.  I sensed that He was gently speaking to my heart these words, "Cut the ball and chain from your life, and be set free."

I knew exactly what He meant.  You see, I approach everything in my life with great passion and tenacious resolve.  At college I did everything to the best of my abilities.  Basically, I was a perfectionist.

Somehow along the journey of my education, I lost track as to why I was even at college.  That morning sitting at home in my chair, I recaptured my purpose for being at college.  The Lord reminded me of my "calling"- to serve Him in ministering to people’s lives.

My education was important; but not more important than my family or my relationship with the Lord.  The ball and chain around my life represented all the stress, anxiety, and perfectionism.  The Lord encouraged me to cut it loose!

Something happened to me that day.  Life got better.  My stress and anxiety slowly faded away.  I began to trust the Lord more for every aspect of my "daily living," especially my finances and my grades.