If you’re in college, you probably have a few long-term concerns that are constantly weighing you down, including the ever-present “Where am I going to meet my future husband?” and “Where am I going to live after college?” and “What job am I going to get once I graduate?” I genuinely feel like every Christian girl in college asks these questions. And honestly, we often base our answer to the second question and third question on our answer to the first question.
If Prince Charming is in sight, maybe you’re not worried. If he’s not yet in sight, you’re probably very worried. Either way, I understand how terrifying post-college life seems while you’re still in college—because you’ve been in school for approximately two decades of your life and soon life’s possibilities will be limitless.
Yikes.
When My Fears About Post-College Life Came True
When I was a senior in college, I was applying for jobs nonstop because (1) my future husband was definitely not in the picture thus (2) I had no idea what I was going to do after graduation. I had always wanted to be a writer, but I knew that I probably couldn’t support myself doing that (not to mention, it was unlikely that I would have good—if any—benefits, like health insurance and paid holidays). Writing was my childhood dream that was still very much present, but I knew that I had to be practical.
As I’ve written about before, I was unemployed for about eight weeks immediately following graduation. My first post-college job didn’t work out. And my single status felt like my only constant during that stressful season.
But here I am now—working for an IT consulting firm. I don’t think anyone in college would’ve predicted that IT consulting would be my post-college destiny. But I’m thankful that God brought me here.
Yes, I’m still wondering if I’ll ever get to be a writer full-time. Still wondering when I’ll get married. Still wondering what God has next for my life. Still wondering if the wondering ever ends.
If Your Fears About Post-College Life Come True
Perhaps you, too, are wondering when your future husband will enter your life and what you should do with your life until he does. Maybe you’re anxious about what comes next because you feel like your identity is being a student—not a dentist or an engineer or a teacher or a social media coordinator or a small business owner or a software developer. The workforce just seems so…scary.
Friends, I don’t want you to let your fears about post-college life consume your actual college life. I definitely don’t want you to settle for a terrible guy or a terrible job or any terrible situation because you’re afraid of what’ll happen if you just wait for something (or someone) better. The challenges of adulthood will only be worse if you give into a less-than-God’s-best situation.
Looking back to my senior year of college, I can honestly say that I shouldn’t have been so stressed about finding a job for after college. I should’ve spent that time attending college events or watching movies with my friends or even just sitting on a bench on our beautiful campus. Instead, I worried about my tomorrow.
Enough Trouble of Its Own
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31-34 NASB1995)
I know that tomorrow—your future—may seem very empty right now. Because you have all these hopes and dreams, but those hopes and dreams haven’t happened yet. Right now, you have 15 credits to finish up. And then your plate is empty.
But don’t forget—the great thing about empty plates is that they’re ready to be filled with God-given opportunities. You have no reason to worry; your future is bright. Not because you’re for sure going to get engaged during spring break or you’re definitely going to be a brain surgeon or you’re absolutely going to travel to Europe and fall in love. But because God knows exactly what you need after you’ve earned those 15 credits and entered the next stage of life.
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