College is a hard time, there is no doubt about that. It is a time when many question their faith and may even begin to lose it. It isn't always the easiest thing to do so, but sometimes we need a reminder of the faith basics.The verses we all know but don't always truly remember their meaning and how they can help us.
1. John 3:16:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
I think a lot of times we don't comprehend in the moment the amount of depth and intensity in this verse. God literally made the ultimate sacrifice of his own blood or our mistakes.
2. 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."
From before we we're born, God knew his plan for us. Think of all the times you come to a crossroads or hit rock bottom, the times when you literally can't understand why things are the way the are or what in the world you are going to do next. He knows and has for so long.
3. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I think there is a huge pressure in college to find your "person." Students stress that they should find someone by graduation and those that are already in relationships stress when they end because we forget to remember how complex love is.
4. Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Realize that we don't "get it." We don't have all the answers but He does. Our worldly understanding isn't of any value but His is holds more value and worth than anything else. We have to put our faith and trust in him but we can't do so halfheartedly. Just as he gave his all for us we need to do so in the same way.
5. Philippians 4:13
" I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
This might be the most important. When everything else fails and rock bottom begins to feel normal, all we have left is to turn to him. When college feels like it will never end and you feel like you'll never be enough, get your strength from the Lord. He would never put you through something that the two of you couldn't overcome together.
