“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Although Joshua 1:9 is a “basic” verse that many of us know and love, it has been very applicable to my life, especially right now, as I am finishing my senior year and preparing for college. This preparation has come with A LOT of worries; what if classes are too hard, what if I don't like where I decide to go, how am I going to pay for this, what if I end up picking the wrong major and realize it too late? Each of these worries adds to the other, and they end up snowballing together to create a monstrous amount of worry. Thankfully I have friends and family that are always there to help me rationalize these thoughts. While talking with a friend who was having similar concerns, she shared with me some words from her mother, “a place isn't going to just be perfect, you have to make it perfect.” I came to the realization that no matter what college I pick, my perspective on life while I am there will help determine how it goes, and I have to make the most of my experience. By remembering this verse, I am able to remember that no matter what happens in my future and no matter how far it deviates from the plans I have now, my faith in God and His plan will help me through it. With every challenge I will face, no matter how hard it seems, God knows what will happen in the end, and He is leading me to something greater. 

This applies to almost every situation. In life we face challenges everyday that make us fear and doubt. Through these challenges, we are faced with remembering that no matter how hard it seems, God will always be with us and guiding us along our ways. The difficulties we face help us come out stronger on the other side, and even when things don't go as you plan, great things can happen. 

With my worries for college I remember that it is not my plan that I should be following, but rather, God's plan. He has my future laid out with great things and is always there for me to find courage and hope when I encounter challenges. 

Prayer: Hey God, as we look to our future, give us the strength and courage to face every challenge You throw at us. Help us know that You are always there to lean on when things get hard, and that the plans You have for use are FAR GREATER than the plans we have for ourselves. Amen.