9 Ways to Trust God When Graduation Brings Change

Our graduates first need to remember that God is always with them. No matter where they go, how near or how far. He is with them at the local community college just as much as he is with a sibling who attends college across the country. The following are encouraging verses for graduates as they navigate this new season of life:

“God is our refuge and our strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2, NLT)

“Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)

“This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NLT)

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Reflecting on what Jesus has done for us is very important. This helps us have an attitude of gratitude. When things get uncertain and I get myself worked up, I have to pause and remind myself that God has gotten us through X, Y, and Z before and will do it again. This helps bring me back to center and calms me down.

Of course, we should do our part to remedy the situation, but we should always depend on him. If we don’t know what to do, we should pray and ask him for guidance. Another important factor is to thank him ahead of time for all he has done for us and will do in our lives.

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Learning to set goals is essential in any aspect of life. It’s more than finding what works for us to be productive, setting intentions, and building a future that aligns with our deepest desires. Studies show that those who set goals are more likely to succeed than people who don’t. Goals help us stay motivated, stay focused, measure our progress, and provide direction. Before we set any goal, we should consult with God first. Ask him, “Lord, what goals would you like me to pursue to build my future, serve you, and give you the glory?”

When we add faith to the mix, our goals become more than just what we want to achieve. We also consider what God wants and accept his direction on what goals to pursue.

When we have faith-driven goals, we desire to align our actions with our beliefs. Our goals reflect not only our personal ambitions but also our spiritual growth and help us serve something greater than ourselves.

How do we align our goals with our faith?

• First, we should examine our core values and beliefs. What principles guide our lives? Write out these principles and consider how they align with your aspirations.
• Set Faith-Based Aspirations. Once you know your core beliefs, put them into actionable aspirations. If serving is a core belief, set a goal to volunteer a certain number of hours at your local nursing home, animal shelter, or children’s center once or twice a month.
• Pray first and ensure your goals align with what God wants.
• Create a plan of action, which means breaking your goals down into actionable steps and establishing a timeline and deadline for each.
• Make sure you set measurable goals, so if you need to tweak them, you can.
• When challenges come, ask God for guidance and embrace them to grow.
• Seek support if you need it.
• Reflect on your goals as you achieve them because life is a journey of growth and, as you grow, your goals may evolve.

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Transitions can bring on a mix of emotions, from anticipation and excitement to fear and anxiety. What is the best way to combat these emotions? Go to God in prayer. One thing we must remember is this:

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT)

In psychology, transitions go in three phases: the ending, the neutral zone, and the new beginning. Each stage brings challenges, growth, and opportunity. This is when praying for clarity comes into play. Some verses to remember during transitions include:

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NLT)

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (James 1:5, NLT)

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, NLT)

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Grads need a support system. Suppose your kids are going to high school or college with some of their friends, fantastic. If not, encourage them to stay in touch with their friends after high school and college. It’s so easy to lose track of time and let life pass us by. If your child is going to a high school or college where they don’t know anyone, encourage them to make friends. Family members should also keep in touch regularly.

Why is community important?

Community is important because it enhances mental health, improves resilience, and contributes to well-being.

Families offer unconditional love, have shared histories with their graduate, and are available to help. The support of family members is like a safety net. Sharing histories or stories from your high school and college days can enhance support and understanding, and family members often provide emotional or practical help.

Friends bring diverse perspectives to the mix, help foster peer understanding, and also help each other with socialization.

No matter what, your child will need community support. As a parent, make sure your child understands how to reciprocate by cultivating strong relationships, having open communication, and showing appreciation to the members of their support system.

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Scripture is a great place to turn to for new beginnings. The Bible is a significant source of encouragement and guidance. Here are some Scriptures to help your graduate in their new beginnings.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)

“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 3:5-6, NLT)

“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.”

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Quieting our minds when they get loud is a tough thing to do. You can be sure your graduate’s mind is going a thousand miles an hour with questions, excitement, anxiety, and fear. How can they bring themselves back to peace?

The best thing to do is get into the world and meditate on some scripture. They can do this by settling in and reading the Bible, doing a Christian meditation, or listening to a favorite Bible podcast. Another outstanding book for this is Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer.

There are different ways to help quiet the mind, like mindful breathing and journaling. Spending time in nature, listening to worship music, and walking are all ways to slow down and make space to hear God as you navigate this new time of life. 

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Everyone wants to know their purpose in life. Christians often wonder what God's plan for their future is. Sometimes, it can be a mystery, but graduates can take steps to figure this out.

Step 1: Pray and ask God for guidance on what your next steps should be.

Step 2: Recognizing signs of God’s plan. Journal about your thoughts, dreams (at night), feelings, and experiences. Think about the coincidences and serendipity that happen in your life. These things may help you understand where God is leading you.

Step 3: Embrace the process. It's easy to get frustrated and impatient when things aren't going your way, but you need to trust the process. God may not show up when you want him to, but according to his plan, he’s always on time.

Step 4: Take actionable steps and explore your gifts, set intentional goals, connect with others, and continue to pray and ask for help.

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How do you know when you’re making progress? You can do this in many ways.

Acknowledging Milestones- Celebrate milestones, both big and small. Even though you may not be at your destination yet, these events signify a lesson learned, a challenge overcome, or the gaining of a new perspective.

Cultivating Self-Compassion- Growing spiritually means moments of struggle, doubt, and introspection when you think about how far you’ve come. Foster a loving relationship with yourself, and remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about the process of understanding what God wants for your life.

Build Resilience- When you celebrate, you build resilience. This is because you know you can overcome adversity and evolve on your religious journey. This will help you maintain faith in yourself and the path God has you on for your life.

As you get ready to walk across that graduation stage, remember to trust God in all things, have patience, and most of all, have fun.

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