If there is anything in life that can squander faith, it's distractions. Especially in college it is so easy to become distracted. Between keeping up with exams, quizzes, due dates, studying, staying organized, sports, and trying to maintain a somewhat social life gets tough. Every minute of the day is filled with some sort of obligation. I, for one sometimes lay in bed at night shocked that I was able to make it through another day successfully. Behind this success lies a whole lot of coffee and a whole lot of God. It's easy to become negative and want to cave into giving up when the stress keeps adding up. When it gets too overwhelming I turn my troubles to God. This is what keeps me grounded, and this is what keeps me waking up every morning with a bright new look on the day.
Being in college also means being courageous. Being in charge of your own life is very scary thing. Waking up everyday to a long list of obligations and committing to getting it all done with enough time to eat, study, and sleep takes a lot of out a human.
Joshua 1:9 “…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.Psalms 25:1-5 O you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.Staying
grateful is a very important lesson I was taught at a young age and carry with me in college. Every night before I got to bed I make sure to take ten minutes to write out everything I am grateful for. Gratitude ranges from being able to wake up every morning to someone holding the door for you. There's always something to be thankful for and that's how I try to always live my life.
Psalm 100:1-5 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Keep an attitude of humility. The ability to give back and help others is one of the many gifts of life that I hold close to my heart. Even in college with around the clock schedules it is possible to find ways of giving back and serving the Lord. It can be as simple as saying a prayer for a friend in distress.
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
