Challenges

   Today is the beginning of my last quarter of my freshman year of college. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. I can still remember move-in day and my first day of classes so well. I remember how anxious and excited I was for my first year of college. As I look back now, I have learned so much over these past several months. I have made such good friendships and have become so much stronger in my faith and in my identity in Christ. I have gained freedom, along with responsibility. I have become much more independent as I have adjusted to not living with my family. I have had to trust God in ways I never had before. All of these experiences have challenged me and stretched me, but I have grown in such awesome ways and I am excited to see how God will work next.
   I have been thinking about challenges I have faced in my life. Some of them have been very difficult and others have been small, but all of them have pushed me to even more fully rely on God. We all go through difficult circumstances. I know that many of us question God during these times. We set expectations on our lives and become worried when things don't go the way we plan. I believe God brings us through these challenges so that our faith in Him will deepen. I find it easier to trust God during good circumstances. When I am feeling happy, it is easy to say that I trust God based off of how I am feeling. However, God's faithfulness to us is not based on how we're feeling. He is a constant God, with us always. 
   God has shown me that even when challenges arise or when obstacles come across my path, I have no reason to be intimidated or full of fear. God is in control. He knows that these times in life will come and He promises to walk through us as we face each trial. He is sovereign and faithful in all circumstances. 

   We face challenges in our lives. Instead of being intimidated when these situations come into our lives, let these circumstances give us courage and strength as we are reminded that our God is sovereign. Let these circumstances send us running into our Father's arms. Only there will we find true peace, security and purpose.