In 2016, only 57% of college students said they absolutely believe in God, and profess to be a Christian. The other 43% were somewhat certain, not certain at all or just do not believe in God. The number of students who attended a church service once or twice a week was just 36%. Over 30% said they never attend church anymore. Another statistic is over 61% of college students never read the bible or pray on a daily and weekly basis. Over 63% of college students believe that right and wrong depends on the situation, while 35% believe there are clear standards for what Is right and wrong. Also, over 43% of college students believe that the bible is not the word of God. The statistics show that college students tend to abandon their faith and Christianity when they get into college. The main reason that most students abandon their faith, is because they become sucked into the college lifestyle, and are afraid to admit that they are a Christian. They believe that they will not be accepted by people if they do reveal their Christianity, and to compensate for that they just abandon it all together. I’m here to tell you, that if you are struggling with balancing your faith and Christianity in college there is a way to restore your faith. These are 5 ways in which your faith and Christianity can and will be restored.
1. Stop trying to please everyone else and focus on living a life pleasing to God.
The main problem with college students is they feel like they must keep their peers pleased and happy to be accepted. Let me tell you this, if someone does not want to except you for who you are, then don’t associate yourself with them. Paul states in Galatians 1:10, Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Honestly, who cares what other people think of you, you shouldn’t care what other people think of you tats their problem. All you need to worry about is living a life pleasing to God. When you start separating yourself from those who will bring you down, and stand up for Christ you will begin to feel God leading you back to Him, and you will see your faith become stronger. Paul also writes in Ephesians 6:6, And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. So, Paul is saying do what is right, but don’t do it just to make other people see that you are doing good. He says to do it because you are doing it from your heart, and it’s the will of God.
2. Spend time praying: God wants to hear from you
Many college students give the excuse to not pray by saying, “I’m not good at praying”, or I don’t have time to pray”. The worst excuse is, “God doesn’t hear me”. I’m here to tell you that is a lie straight from Satan. The devil doesn’t want you to pray, he enslaves your mind and makes you think that God doesn’t hear you and that he doesn’t care. God wants to hear from you, and He always hears your cry. God promised to never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). We are also commanded in 1st Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. I urge you pray every day, it will bring such peace to your life, and will draw you closer to God. Above all God is worthy of our praise and you should spend the time every day thanking him for your life, health, home, family, job, etc. Most importantly thank God for being the God who He is and for sending Jesus to die in our place and provide a way to personally know Him.
3.Get involved in Christian organizations at your college
As a freshman at JSU I’m here to tell you that if you are not involved in any Christian organization at JSU you are missing out. The organizations include: Engage JSU, BCM, RUF, campus outreach, and the Wesley foundation. These organizations are great, and it gives you the opportunity to engage yourself with other like-minded Christians. Also, being involved in these organizations it is way to find an accountability partner. Having one of these is key, it lets you know that you have someone else who cares about your well-being, and cares how you are doing in your Christian walk. On big problem with college students is they do not authentically worship God anymore. John writes in John 4:24, God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. So, when you worship God you need to do it with your whole heart, mind, and soul. False worship will only damage your relationship with Christ. When you surround yourself with other Christians, you will see a change in your attitude, and a change in who you associate yourself with.
4. Stay in God’s word every day it keeps you grounded in your faith
Many college kids tend to wean their self away from reading scripture. Like I said in the beginning of this article over 43% of college students believe that the Bible is not the word of God. How ill-informed are these kids? The Bible is the infallible word of God, it was spoken by God, and the words were given to extraordinary men by God to be written in the Bible. Joshua states in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success”. Joshua tells us to meditate on the word of God every day, and to observe to do what the word says. When we do what Gods word says, we will prosper. When the word of God is a dominant factor in your life every day, you will see how much you will grow in your faith, and how much more you will be willing to go and tell everyone about the love of Jesus Christ. So, I urge you brothers and sisters stay in the Word, and prosper in your life.
5.Fully surrendering your life to the will of God
Even if you are a Christian, you may be living your own way right now. You may think you know what is best for you and that you have everything figured out. The truth of the matter is you don’t know what is best for you. You can proclaim to be a Christian, but not be walking in the will of God. God knows everything about you, He knows your thoughts, your actions, your secret sins, your struggle, etc. He has a perfect plan for your life and if you allow Him to work through you and in you He will provide for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The Lord only has good things planned for your life, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be hard times, and trials, but God will always bring you through no matter what. So, take a step of faith and fully trust God with your whole heart.
So struggling Christian, what ae you waiting for? Take back your faith and Christianity and get back to where God wants you to be. He is waiting on waiting you.
