The beginning of a new chapter, such as college, is always daunting. Anxiety seems to heighten, making the experience overwhelming. For those of you who believe in a Higher Power, here are some Bible verses to help you navigate this new chapter with grace.
1. Deuteronomy 31:6.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
The future is a mess of uncertainty. But God is always on your side, whatever the circumstance may be. The knowledge that He is always there for you should ease your anxiety about messing up or failing - because to Him, you can never fail.
2. Ecclesiastes 3:1.
"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens."
Don't worry about what will happen or should happen; just allow yourself to be happy in the present moment.
3. Jeremiah 29:11.
"'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.'"
We have anxiety most of the time because of ambition or fear. We are anxious because we are trying to figure out what to do next. But when we have faith in our God, we relinquish that anxiety - because He knows what exactly we need.
4. Psalm 18:2.
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
God's only son died to protect us from sin. And He still protects us whenever we pray to Him for help. He knows that sin will not be erased and gives Himself to us as a reminder that there is always something greater than evil.
5. Romans 12:1-2.
"Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will."
It's easy to give in to what people around you are doing. But God asks that we renew our minds daily, to cast our burdens onto Him, so that He can show us how much exactly He loves us.
6. Philippians 4:6-8.
"Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
Prayer isn't an act of passivity as people think it is. When we pray, we lift the trouble to God to see and perfect in His will. Praying is meant to establish the spiritual connection between us and God. When you're anxious, focus on who created you and His unconditional love to give you life. It'll ease your anxiety for certain.
7. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Every day, something bad seems to pop up, either in our personal lives or in society. But this is all building us to be who we are meant to be spiritually.
8. Isaiah 40:31.
"... but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Having faith is like the wings of a baby bird. It will guide you to heights you've never imagined before. But first, you have to take the first step and trust in the Lord that you can fly.
9. 2 Timothy 1:7.
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline."
God made us in His image. God loves us unconditionally. So if He is in us, then we are capable of greatness.
10. 1 Peter 5:7.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
God doesn't want us to suffer. So when you are stuck or in pain, lean on Him. He will ease your pain.
With experience comes a fear of failure. Everyone has it at different stages in their life – when graduating from school, entering the workplace, getting married, etc. We all strive to accomplish great things that we forget about our human nature to fail. We forget that the person who made the greatest accomplishment was Jesus and not us.
By having faith throughout our lives, we can accomplish who we are meant to be – and that is a child of God.
