Starting college, I thought every day would be absolutely perfect. What else could a girl want with an all-access meal plan, new friends, and no Friday classes? After living away from home for a whole month, I quickly realized life isn't always sunshine and rainbows. We all make mistakes and experience hardship. We fall short of our expectations and disappoint those around us. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, nothing seems to ever go right.

Pain is inevitable. While we may think God puts us in tough situations to test our faith or explain a concept, often times hardship is driven to teach a lesson. Bad things happen to everyone. Failure is a part of the learning process and gives us room to grow. When we think about giving up in a certain moment, remember the reasons and goals you have to keep moving forward.

Everyone can look at life's trials in two different ways. We can choose to be optimistic and find ways to improve. Others may hurt and act out in disappointment or bitterness. In order to grow through what you go through, focus on the current situation and take it one step at a time. If you are overwhelmed with emotions and can't seem to understand why God has you at a certain place in life, understand that his plan is bigger than anything we could ever imagine.

Life is about taking the high road when we are faced with trials and tribulations. No one enjoys going through life's storms, but there is always sunshine after the rain. Bad circumstances are never easy to get through, and time often heals the process. Spending time in the Word to understand God's will allows us to find peace in tough times. Overall, our struggles do not compare to the grace and mercy of the creator of the universe.

If we didn't make mistakes, life would be absolutely boring. Luckily, we are able to grow from past experiences and share struggles with others. Having a friend to talk to and explain your problems is a great way to get grief off your chest. Relating to other personal life struggles, we can often work together to find solutions for particular situations.

Being persistent to seek God's plan for my life, I've had to pray to get through some tough times. Even in the darkest moments of life, Jesus is always the answer to every problem. Faith and character are tested to make us stronger individuals. No matter what happens, our hope is found in knowing that God is always there. We may not recognize what he's doing in our lives at one single moment, but his overall plan is so much greater. Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but rather learning how to dance in the rain. Persevere through the hard times and God will reward you with the riches of peace, prosperity, and happiness.