Growing Up is Terrifying

Hi there. Here's a cup of coffee, there's also tea and iced water if you'd prefer. Let's talk about growing up.

       I am 17 years old, turning 18 in a few months (wow, crazy to think about actually), and I graduated high school this past May. I think you can agree with me when I say that this is the scariest time in a young person's life. Growing up has come to a pivotal point that is unavoidable. It's scary for a few reasons. The first one being that we are facing living on our own straight in the eyes. The second reason is that we have to think about the future. The third is that we have to make decisions about the rest of our life. Yeah, it's kind of super terrifying for you seniors and us graduates.
       I mean, we are going to be moving out of our parents house, and we have to start thinking about bills and money and actually paying for things. We have to do laundry on our own, we have to look at our tires ourselves to make sure they don't look low, we have to deal with small decisions without our Mom telling us what to do. Yes, we have a lot more freedom than we did before, but we also have a lot more responsibility.
      When we were young kids we didn't have to think about the future at all. The furthest ahead we thought was to the weekend, wondering if mom will let us have that sleepover. We didn't have to think about how we're going to have to buy a car and have a career to pay for that car. We didn't think about the fact that the college we choose could be a bad decision, we didn't think about how much college actually costs. But, before we know it, we are pushed  into the real world and forced to think ahead because if we don't we will end up living at home, working a part-time job, doing nothing productive or successful.

        We have to decide. For me, this is honestly the most terrifying thing of them all. We have to decide what college we're going to. Will I be able to afford it? Do they offer what I'm interested in? Is it too far from home? Too close? Is it a good environment to be in? Then, once you've decided what college you're going to, they force you to decide what degree you will pursue, which comes with it's own notebook filled with questions. Is this the career I want to be in? Is this career going to pay enough for me to actually survive on? Is this career pointless? You have to decide what car you want, you have to save money and prioritize. You have to ask yourself if this short trip with your best friend is worth it in the long run. You have to make sure that you aren't wasting time or money, but at the same time you don't want to hate your life and not have any fun.
      Life is so scary when you're fresh out of high school with a clouded view of how you want to live your life. I mean, 90% of high school seniors have no idea what they are going to do. 5% of us have a vague idea of what we want to do, but have no idea how we're going to do it, and the other 5% are those career oriented people that know exactly what they want to do, how they're going to do it, and have already done it. (If we're being honest, the 95% of us hate that 5% percent).
     
     So, all you seniors and fresh graduates like myself, take a deep breath and hold on. Everything I said before is 100% true, and 10,000% terrifying and stresssful. Before we all decide to blow our savings on a wild trip to Europe and forget about all the scary things, I have a bit of hope and maybe some advice (advice mostly for myself, from myself).
       The first bit of hope I have for you is this: God was, is, and always will be in control of everything. Before you get freaked out a feel like you have to deal with and plan everything on your own, stop. God has a plan, and has had a plan for the past eternity, for you and me and everyone else. Everything that happens is apart of His plan, and He is the ultimate Bearer of burdens and Guider of hearts.

Joshua 1:9 - Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Psalms 115:3 - But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

      The next word of hope I have for you is this: God loves you, His mercy is great, and His grace is abundant and overflowing. Even if you make a wrong decision and things don't turn out how you wanted them to, or you end up suffering consequences from that decision, don't forget that God still loves you. He doesn't expect perfection from His children, all He wants is our trust and humility. 

Lamentations 3:21-23 - This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Jeremiah 31:3 - The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

       Now, I have some advice for you. 

      Don't worry. It doesn't do us any good to constantly worry about the future. Now, it doesn't do us good to be foolish and never think about the future, but instead of worrying, pray. Pray for guidance and grace and strength and wisdom. Tell God how you feel, and ask Him to show you what to do. In time, He will. 

      Don't try to plan too far ahead. With a thought on the future, take it one day, week, and month at a time. It's silly to plan far ahead because we never know what's going to happen. Everything can change in a split second and you may not even want to do what you thought you did. Trust God to take care of the future, and you think about the things you need to do tomorrow. Of course, don't be foolish and not save money or be wasteful with your time, but at the same time, don't let stressing over college and your career overtake you. Does that make sense? 

Life is scary guys, but it's all going to be okay, It's a crazy, mixed up and unplanned adventure that brings so many wonderful, hard, and exciting things. Make sure you enjoy it, don't take it too seriously, and trust that God has an amazing and flawless plan for your life. 

As always, have a great day, and an even greater cup of coffee!