Entering college was both nerve racking and exciting. I entered freshman year a little to confident in my faith. I told myself that I would not cave into the temptations and I will always stay true to my faith. To be honest, college is where your faith is tested the most. You don't have your mom and dad telling you to go to church, that is all up to you. It is hard to find those group of friends with the same morals and values as you. The more you are around the people with different morals and values, the less your own will matter.
My first few weeks in college were a little tough only friend wise. I love all the people I have met whether they have the same morals and values as me or not, but it has become very hard to not do what they do. They weren't kidding when they said being a Christian in college is tough. I was offered alcohol and my high school self always said that it would be easy to say no, but it wasn't. Of course, I thought about it and it was really tempting. I didn't want to be the only one to not do it and I didn't want to seem different from everybody else. Of course, I said no because I knew how sick I would get being filled with guilt. It was really hard to say no. I kept thinking about it over and over again but the fact that I actually considered drinking was something that I was positive that would never be a question in my life.
I received a text from a boy at 11:00 at night one night saying to come over to his dorm. I barely knew the guy and I actually considered it. I didn't want to be known as the girl who didn't have the guts to go to the guys dorm room at night. I expected to go hang out and talk and maybe even watch a movie but who knows that probably would have not been the case. I'm still in shock knowing that I actually considered going. Only God knows what would've happened. I could've easily been dragged into something that I would be 100% uncomfortable with. Who knew that one, small, two lettered word saved me.
I have been longing for the group of people with the same morals and values as me. I kept asking the Lord, "Why lead these people in my life?" I got really frustrated and I started to wonder what if this school wasn't for me? As I was starting to doubt myself, the Lord blessed me more than I could've ever imagined. He gave me friendships that I know will last me a lifetime. He friendships who have become my brothers and sisters in Christ. He gave me friendships that I can lean on to no matter what life throws at me.
Being a Christian in college isn't easy. You get so many temptations thrown at you every day, and it's very tempting to say yes, but saying no makes you a stronger person in your faith. Your tested every day and your college years is a test to whether you abide by your Christian faith or not. Finding those true Christian friends are hard but God will bring them to you and He will put them in your life when He knows you need them. They weren't kidding when they said being a Christian in college wasn't easy.
I will now leave with one of the most comforting verses that always makes me feel better when I feel discouraged.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you where ever you go." Deuteronomy 31:6
