Often times I see friends on social media who are unhappy and disappointed because of their relationships and the things going on around them. They'll tweet things like, "I hate always having to worry if you really love me," or "tired of people always throwing me around and acting like they don't care," and sometimes I'll see the occasional "feels like nobody wants me anymore." Maybe you're one of those people that feels this way. I know I was at one point. Maybe you're the friend who can't help but notice that your friend is upset and shouldn't be feeling the way they are. Either way, my point is this: We live in a broken world full of broken people and a broken definition of love and joy. So many times I found myself wondering what I was doing wrong to deserve the way I was being treated by certain people when in reality I was just looking in the wrong places for happiness.
I've found that in this broken world, a lot of things are uncertain. You can never be sure who really cares about you. You can never be certain about who your true friends are. You can never be certain who's going to be in your life one day and not the next. You never know what news you'll hear that might make you angry at the world. Just take a minute to think about it! We've all been in these situations, whether it be with our friends, our partners, or our family.
One thing that is certain, however, is that Jesus loves you. He promises to always be there for you, even when you mess up. When times get rough and it seems like nobody has the answers, He does. Today, media and society tell us that we can find the joy we need through worldly things. Worldly things such as parties, "fun relationships," money, popularity, and power. While those things can be fun for the time being, you still end up feeling empty at the end of the day. You're always left wanting more and you think to yourself, "There has to be more to my life than this." That's because there is!
As a college student, it's important for me to know where I can find joy in the world we live in. I see broken relationships and broken lives around me every single day. One thing that I always remind myself is that God will always be there for me when I need help, even if that means being the Comforter when I'm upset.
Here are some verses of encouragement:
1. John 16:33
2. 1 Peter 5:7
3. John 16:22
Happiness isn't something that can permanently be found in the things of this world. John 16:22 is a great example of God reminding us that sorrow is only temporary if we follow Him. That's right! With God joy is the norm and sorrow is only temporary. As you are going throughout your day, remind yourself that God is in control, He'll never give you more than you can handle, and He's never going to stop loving you!
