The Campbell Column is a devotional column dedicated to offering insights and comfort to students at Presbyterian College who may find such comfort from the Christian Bible. The views expressed in this column do not reflect the views of the BlueStocking newspaper as a whole.

Before college, during college, and even after college we will struggle to deal with the tragedies and battles life throws our way. When we are beginning to reach what seems like an all time high in our relationships with Jesus, Satan will be there to make you stumble and lead you off of the path of righteousness through tragedy.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”

-Ephesians 6:11

We should seek refuge in God’s word and promises as well as the uplifting words of others. I am told that even though many things feel random and wrong, I am to trust that the Lord is a sovereign Lord. He can fit everything into a pattern for good, but only to the extent that I trust Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

-Proverbs 3:5

It is imperative for us to trust God to help us through our trying times and give all of our worries to him. Every problem can teach us something and transform us little by little into the masterpiece that God has created us to be. These problems can often become stumbling blocks upon which we fall if we react with distrust and defiance. This choice is up to us and it will be a daily battle for us to choose to trust God when in reality it would be much easier to defy him.

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

-James 4:7

The best way for us to overcome our problems is to thank God for them. Believe me, I know how hard it can be to thank God for something that seems to be ending our world as we know it, but this simple act can open our minds to the possibility of benefits flowing for our difficulties. After we have befriended our problems, the next step is to give them to God and enable him to embrace them into his loving presence. He will not necessarily banish the problems completely, but he promises us that he will do the best to bring out the good in every situation.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

-Romans 8:28

For example, last year I got in a fender bender on my way home for spring break and I broke down in tears because I knew that my parents were going to be so upset with me. At the time, I did not think that God had a purpose of putting me through that, but then I found out that there was an accident on the interstate that I take home at the very same time that I would have been driving home and unfortunately someone was killed. I know that God is not done with me yet and we have to trust and believe that God has his reasons. We just have to wait for him to show us the signs and reasoning behind the trials through which we face.

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

– Jeremiah 29:11

This is proof that God is using us even through our hardest times for the good of our purpose in this broken world. God will NEVER let go of us. Through all of my years, God has been there. He has dried all of my tears and answered my prayers. When we are in need of a friend, we will always, always find God waiting there for us. Things WILL get better. This is not the end of the road for you. This is just the beginning of your beautiful story.