The transition to college was harder than I thought it would be in some aspects, and perhaps even more overwhelming was the transition that Koa and I had to make to long distance two weeks before I actually moved out. He moved before me for football, and those first few days were incredibly difficult and emotional, but it forced me to root my foundation even deeper in the Lord. I was so overwhelmed with sadness and an ache in my heart I couldn't distract away, and that was really hard, but as I searched Scripture, I found hope and comfort. It didn't take away how uncomfortable and difficult it was to start long distance and actually move to college myself, but it reminded me that the Lord is so near, that He is my comfort, and that He will carry me through.

In today's post, I want to share with you three of the verses that helped my heart the most, and what the Lord reminded me through them. They're all in Isaiah, sharing similar messages, but they encouraged me so much, and I pray that they encourage you in whatever season you're in, whether that be a season of transition or familiarity!

1. Isaiah 41:10, 13

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand...For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

These verses, especially verse 10, are very popular, but they struck such a personal cord in me because I imagined my Heavenly Father holding me up. I felt so weak, unsure of how to navigate all the feels, but He promised me to help me. To make it even more personal, Koa always holds my right hand, and one day as I was worshiping in church, I felt the Lord tell me that even though Koa's gone now, He is the one holding my right hand and holding me up. When I can't do it alone, feel scared or overwhelmed, this verse reminds me that the Lord is telling us, "Don't fear, my daughter, I will help you."

I've struggled a bit throughout this transition worrying that I'm asking God for too much instead of just being thankful that I have the opportunity to be here in college and praising His character. But as I turn back to these verses and meditate on what He says about me in Scripture, my Abba wants to help. He invites my weariness, my emotion, my fear, and offers to hold me up in the midst of all of that. Of course, I need to be intentional about thanking Him for that, but I also don't need to feel ashamed or like I'm "too much" when I come to the Lord with my requests. Thank You Jesus for that!

2. Isaiah 43:2

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Sometimes this season has felt like waters rushing over my head, as if I'm drowning in homework, sadness, and loneliness. Sometimes it feels like a fire that I simply can't escape, can't smile through. There are so many aspects of this transition that feel overwhelming to me, but this verse offers the simplest, most comforting reminder: there is another in the fire. The Lord is right alongside me in all the storms, all the floods of emotion, all the nights of being deeply overwhelemed. He is right here, and I too often forget that. It's easy to feel alone in a place where I know so few people and have so few friendships, far away from my family, but my Abba and Savior are truly in the room with me. They are helping me fight my battles, and I know they're working behind the scenes even more than I see right now. I am not alone.

3. Isaiah 43:18-19

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not percieve it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

In this transition, it became default to think about all the things I missed, all the things I wished I still had or was doing before I moved to college or before Koa and I became long distance. And while remembering is a command that God gives countless times in the Old Testament, His desire is for us remembering to refocus us on His character and faithfulness, not keep us from what He's doing and teaching us right now. By looking back more than I'm keeping my eyes fixed on Him in the present, I miss the new thing He's doing! There are so many ways that He's working, even if it doesn't seem like it's in the big and obvious and life changing ways (although I'm sure that's happening behind the scenes). In the areas of my life that feel like a valley in the wilderness, the Lord encourages me that He is making a way, and that He is moving. I want to live in anticipation, faith, and excitement for what the Lord is doing, and sometimes that can feel hard because it's not always obvious or what I had planned for, but it's so encouraging to me to be reminded that God is doing something. His timing and plan are always better than mine, and I can trust that He is doing a new thing.

Scripture is where we find our strength, and I am so thankful for that, because I can't find my strength on my own! In this season, I need to be intentional and choose to rely on God's word and presence more and more, because I really can't do it on my own, and most days I do feel very alone. These three verses have been a huge comfort to me, and I'm praying that they encourage you as well, in whatever season you're currently in! Are there other verses that have been really impactful to you? Let me know down in the comments below!