They say that college is the time to find yourself, but how are we supposed to do that if we don't fit the perfect college "model?" Without any desire to conform to someone else's idea of who I should be, I have often found myself on the outside looking in. It is hard to stay true to who you are when there are pressures coming from everywhere. College can be a time when a lot of people give up their relationships with God, even though it is a time when we need him the most. Here are four bible verses to remember when everything seems like it's falling apart.
1. Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
For us college students, thinking about majors and jobs seems like an impossible decision. Sometimes we cannot decide what we want for dinner, so how are we supposed to decide what to do with the rest of our lives? But we don't have to worry because there is someone who knows what will happen and is giving us hope for the future.
2. Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
We have all felt alone and have made mistakes that we regret, but we do not have to feel alone in our mistakes. There is a God who is always waiting for us. He will strengthen us even in the hardest of times. We can count on him when we need strength to make hard decisions. If you feel alone because you don't want to party like everyone else, or alone because you have to stand alone in your decision, there is someone who is always going to stand with you.
3. Luke 6:37
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Because we have all made mistakes, we are not in a place to judge others because of their mistakes. We have to be there for each other when we fall and help each other pick up the pieces, and if we can go through life without condemning others, God will not condemn us when we stray away from him.
4. Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
There is nowhere that we can go where the Lord won't be with us. We can try and run so far away and the moment we turn back around he will be there waiting for us. He lets us make our decisions and mistakes. We have to be strong enough to go out on our own but to bring him along with us. There is nothing that we can't accomplish without him, and he is always waiting to help us through our struggles.
