For many of us, the beginning of a new semester comes with anxiety about difficult classes, timidity towards the unknown and fear of the future.

However, thanks to our powerful and loving God, we do not have to feel these emotions. Instead, we can find hope, peace, encouragement and perseverance through His words.

Let these words sink into your heart and may you find the endurance to run the race that is the semester ahead .

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

With a new semester comes doubt and loss of hope. May this verse serve as a reminder that as long as we ask for it and allow ourselves to remain open, the Holy Spirit is going to fill us with the hope we need to persevere through another semester.

Romans 12:12

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

This verse is a reminder that as followers of Christ, we are called to be joyful, patient and full of prayer. We go through hard times as college students, but as long as we stay true to these three things, God is going to provide for us.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”

A lot of times, we tend to look at the tangible things around us to judge the current state of our lives. However, this verse makes it evident that though we may be encountering earthly troubles, we are being prepared for eternity and we must focus on the intangible promises through Christ, rather than the current afflictions we may face.

Romans 8:18

“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

As we encounter difficult times in college, it is easy to make assumptions about those challenges and ask God where He is. However, it is clear that what you are going through now is just temporary and God is preparing you for the joy and glory that is yet to come.

Lamentations 3:21-23

One “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

To me, this is just such a calming and refreshing verse. When the world tells us we aren't good enough, we can't be forgiven for our mistakes and that we aren't loved, this verse serves as the reminder that God's love for us is continuous and will never stop, no matter what we look like, the decisions we make or the sins we commit.

Isaiah 43:2

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

One of my favorite verses of all times, this verse just reminds us that through everything we encounter this semester, whether good or bad, we have a constant and ever-present God by our side that will protect us and provide fo rus.

Proverbs 16:3

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

One of the scariest and hardest parts about college is the unknown future. We feel the need to have everything planned and figured out. However, this is so comforting to hear that all we have to do is surrender and trust in the Lord and our plans will be laid out for us and everything will work out according to His powerful plans.

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Another reminder for the fear and question of what we are intended to do with our life, this verse tells us that we were created by God to do good in the world and God already has it all planned out for us so there is no need to worry.

Romans 15:4

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

This verse promises that if you open your heart and open your bible,you will be filled with endurance and encouragement which we all know we need to get through a difficult semester of college.

Isaiah 55: 8-9

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

This is another one of my favorite verses as it reminds me that although I think I know what is best for myself, I am almost always wrong. God's plans are way greater than any plan I could create for myself. Therefore, I need to submit to the Lord and be obedient to where He calls me.

My prayer would be that these verses speak to you and begin to prepare and encourage you for the semester ahead. You are not alone in the challenges that college brings. Through His wisdom, we can find peace, comfort and hope. When in doubt, send up a prayer, open your bible and let Him speak to you.