If you're like me, you always compare yourself to other people's lives. From the outside, it looks like everyone is on the right track and know what their plan is. I'm here to tell you that no matter how great their life looks, we are ALL lost and wandering at some point in our lives. That time for me was my first semester of college. I came in knowing what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. By the end of that semester, I had no idea what I wanted to do or what my plan was. It took a lot of prayer and trust from God. I grew so much closer to Jesus because I quickly learned to lean on him so much more than I ever had before. He worked miracles on my life and he can do the same for yours. While you wait for him to work in your life, I will tell you the few things I had to do that worked:
1. Pray.
Prayer is so powerful and never has to be formal. God always listens, even when you aren’t praying. He knows exactly what you need even before you start praying. Psalm 107:28-30 says, "Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.” God is always with us and knows our life, because he made it. We can fully trust that no matter what we go through, he is always going to make the ending result so much greater than we could ever imagine.
2. Help others in need.
I have recently learned that the more I helped other people in life, the more blessings I feel and receive. When you help others, it helps you feel grateful for what you have. I recently have been making it a priority to pray for more people in their hard times. My friend that is struggling in school, just like me, I told her I would pray for her. Another friend was about to take a really important test and I prayed for her. A friend needed some money to pay for lunch and I gladly gave him all the cash I had. It’s the little things in life that make it worth living. Even though your life may not be where you want it at the moment, it’s always important to think of others before yourself. Even in the hardest times, be kind. Hebrews 13:16 says, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
3. Evaluate your plan.
Are you doing what God wants you to do? This one is pretty tough, because many people, including myself, sometimes struggle to find their purpose in this ordinary life. I’m not saying that you have to find your purpose right away, I’m saying to do your best to make your path walkable. For example, it took me a while to change my major. I was set on that major and I didn’t enjoy the thought of having to change anything. However, there were so many signs all over the place that I wasn’t in the right spot. I finally came into realization that I needed to switch. Once I did, I got accepted to my new major, I got my grades up, and everything started to fall into place. I felt happy. "Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.” Proverbs 4:26
4. Spend time alone to read the bible.
No matter how busy you are or how much work you have to do, there is always enough time to spend with Jesus. Even just ten minutes of your day could help you understand your faith, which will help you understand certain situations. When I finally realized that reading the bible was so important, I learned so much even the first few times I opened it. This is a great way to wake up in the mornings, because it makes the start of your day so strong, that you feel great, have more energy and you just feel happier! I have learned to make myself get off of my phone in the mornings and put my time in Jesus by praying and reading my bible. If you are reading this and you don’t know Jesus and what he did for us, I encourage you to start by studying the word or speaking to him through prayer. Trust me, it will change your life! "Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 117:1-2
5. Be thankful
In the hardest of times we have to be thankful for what we do have. This life would be so hard without the love from Jesus, our friends, and our family. Could you imagine what life would be like with nobody to talk to and no support system? We are so blessed to be able to have people to talk to and help us through life. If you don’t think you have someone to help guide you, think again. God is always with you. He wants you to be happy. Acknowledge him in all you do and be thankful for every day you get to live. Just remember, while you are going through this hard time, it could be so much worse. We have a God that loves us and keeps us in the palm of his hand. No matter how tough it gets, he won’t fail you. Your rough days will end. He has a plan and you won’t always know what is coming, but when it does, it’s going to be the greatest blessing. "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.” Isaiah 41:10
