Everything happens for a reason.
I am blessed to have had an excellent high school experience, but that does not mean I did not go through many hard times. My years in high school taught me so much, and my faith grew in ways I could not imagine. Looking back, one of the most important lessons I gained is: Everything happens for a reason. Whether it is difficult classes, trouble with friends, feeling overwhelmed or lonely, or doubtful. However, it is the COOLEST thing to look back at the hard times in my past and see how God brought me out of it.
One of my favorite examples of this is when I was struggling with friends my sophomore year. I felt left out often and wanted friends who truly wanted to hang out with me. By spring semester (and after lots of prayers), I had a new group of friends who welcomed me in and ultimately changed my high school experience. The coolest thing is, I would not have found that group of friends if I had not been sitting by two of them in my English class. The small, random, and seemingly inconsequential circumstance of a simple English chair led to some of my best friends that I am still close with today.
God is in the details of your life.
I have so many stories like that – and that is just in my life. I encourage you to look back and see where God has been faithful to provide for you, even if you had to wait for what you wanted. Often, it starts with something small, like meeting a specific person or maybe just happening to be in the right place and the right time.
So what does this mean for the future? It does not mean that God will give you every single thing you want when you want it. It does not even mean that God will give you everything you want at all. However, it does mean that God will provide everything you need at the right time.
Be patient & remain hopeful.
Times of waiting are difficult. Being patient for what God has in store for you is never easy, and it is not something that people always talk about. Often, people like to only talk about the good stuff in life. Maybe it is how incredible their friends are or how great their year has been. However, remember, they are struggling with something too. Just because people do not talk about the hard times does not mean they are not prevalent in their life. If you wonder why something is happening in your life, remember to trust God and His plan because He knows what is best.
God is our friend and has our best interest at heart.
Do not get me wrong; just saying “trust in God” does not make doubt, sadness, or frustration disappear. So talk to God! He wants to hear from you! God is our Heavenly Father, but He is also our friend! In high school, I learned to talk to God like a friend, not some distant person, but someone who wants to hear about my life – the good and the bad. Ask God for patience or trust or whatever you need. Whatever situation you are going through, remember that God is not done! Hold fast to God’s word and be steadfast in praying and talking to God. See how God has provided for you in the past, and let it give you hope and faith for the future. Luckily for us, God does not make mistakes. Whatever difficult season you are in, He will bring you out of it. Everything happens for a reason!
My favorite verses, and a prayer for when you need to trust in God:
“God, hear my cry; Pay attention to my prayer.
I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength.
Lead me to a rock that is high above me. For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy.
I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings.”
⁃Psalm 61:1-4
Written By: Ansley Dale
