As a college student, there is always a slew of worries and overwhelming obstacles being thrown our way. We enter a battlefield of assignments, stressors, and life-altering choices every single day...and, after a while, that can get pretty tiresome. I find myself constantly forgetting amidst the hectic nature of a college student's life that God promises to protect us, lead us, and guide us through each breath and moment in our day, and it can be even easier to forget His abilities. Ephesians 3:20-21 states that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask or think. So today, I proclaim that we remind ourselves to remember (and have faith in) that power. Even if you are struggling to try to find your place in the world, to meet a close group of friends, to decide on a major, or to overcome a particularly difficult trial you're facing right now, just know that God does not ask (or desire) for you to be perfect, flawless, or even strong, for He can (and wants to be) all of those things for you. You need only be still.

If you're feeling stressed out about something, in particular, today, I hope you take away one of my all-time favorite verses in times of fear or worry. It's found toward the end of Chapter 6 in Matthew, and it states, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" You, my sweet friend, are just as loved as each of those birds that Jesus feeds. YOU are His child, crafted in His image, and worrying will not extend your time on this earth nor change His plan in store for you. So take your fears to God instead, for He knows your heart better than all the rest. And He promises to use your brokenness, your messiness, your fears, and your every inadequacy for the better. Even though it can be so easy to forget, He is the bender of the galaxies, the creator of the waves, and He will protect you, love you, and crave to have a relationship with you forever. You are equipped with His armor and cherished by His heart.

So please, my dear friend, don't you ever forget how important and worthy you are amidst the hectic nature of your own college world. Trust me when I say that I'm right there with you, and I understand your every worry, your every fear, your every stressful assignment and seemingly life-altering major and minor decision looming over your head. The beautiful thing is, though, so does the Lord. Remember that you are pursued, cherished, and loved beyond comprehension by the author of your future. And He's writing a beautiful one just for you, I'm sure of it.