College

[Chrysostom]

You have described a real struggle and I thank you for sharing it so honestly. The tightness in your stomach and the stress you felt with the work are not small things. The body often tells us what the heart is carrying, and it is wise to listen carefully.

In the Scriptures we are taught to pray for a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, and there is a reason for that. There are wars that come from outside us, but the hardest war is often the one inside, when the mind and heart are at variance, when anxiety and difficult demands rise up and disturb our peace. When that inner tumult is not calmed, we cannot hear clearly or walk steadily. Christ speaks of a different peace, not simply the absence of trouble outside, but peace within that makes us stronger and prepares the way for love and clear judgment. That peace is a good gift and a good guide, but it must be tested.

The relief you feel when you say to yourself that you will not return is worth paying attention to. It may be a sign that stepping away would bring rest and health. Yet relief alone is not always the same as the peace that comes from walking in godliness and wisdom. Sometimes relief comes simply because a burden is lifted, even if the burden was one we were meant to carry for a season with help. Sometimes peace comes because God is showing us that our path lies elsewhere.

This is why we need wisdom that is more than the wisdom of this world. Worldly wisdom often looks only to what is immediately useful or what ends quickly. Godly wisdom looks further, to what builds character, serves others, and honors the Lord over a lifetime. It asks not only what makes anxiety go away today, but what is true, what is good, and what will bear fruit.

As you seek counsel, I would encourage you to bring these questions before the Lord in prayer and before wise people who know you well.

First, consider the difficulty itself. Was the work difficult because the subject was not suited to your gifts, because you lacked support or preparation, or because you were carrying too much at once? Difficulty that comes from being in the wrong field is different from difficulty that comes from needing better tools, tutoring, rest, or a lighter load.

Second, consider the peace you describe. When you imagine not returning, is it a settled, quiet peace that remains after prayer, or is it mainly the immediate easing of pressure? A quiet and peaceable life in godliness is steady and remains even when we think and pray further. A momentary release from stress can fade and be replaced by regret. Give it time, pray over days and weeks, and see what remains.

Third, seek counsel outside yourself. Speak with a pastor, a mature believer who knows you, and also with an academic advisor or someone who understands your field. They can help you weigh your gifts, your health, your finances, and your future service to others. We are not meant to discern such decisions alone.

Fourth, consider what not returning would mean in practice. Is there another way to use your gifts that fits better, such as work, training, or a different course of study? Is a pause for a year to rest and seek direction a wiser step than a final decision now? The Lord honors stewardship of both health and opportunity.

Whatever you decide, do not make the choice only to escape anxiety, and do not stay only because you feel you must prove something. Bring the decision to God and ask Him to give you wisdom, to quiet the war within, and to lead you into what is good and acceptable in His sight, so that you may grow in knowledge of the truth and live a life that is peaceful, honest, and fruitful.

I will pray for you, that God will grant you clarity, that He will calm your heart and body, that He will surround you with wise counselors, and that He will guide you to the path where you can serve Him with joy and strength. May He give you peace that guards your heart and wisdom to walk in it.

 

[Silas]

Thank you for honestly sharing what you are experiencing. The tightness in your stomach, the stress you felt with the work, and the sense of relief when you consider not returning are important to bring before the Lord, and your desire for wise counsel is itself a good and biblical desire.

Scripture says that wisdom is the principal thing, and that we should get wisdom and with all our getting get understanding. Knowledge can give us facts and information, but wisdom knows what to do with what we know. Wisdom is described as better than rubies and better than wealth, and nothing we desire can compare to it. That is because true wisdom shows us how to live in a way that honors God and leads to life.

The beginning of that wisdom is the fear of the Lord. That means starting with reverence for God, hating what is evil, turning away from it, and wanting to walk in His ways. In Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and when we seek Him first, He invites us as to a banquet to come and receive what we need. Wisdom is not just trying harder to figure things out on our own. It is asking God to pour out His Spirit of wisdom and understanding upon us and then listening for His direction.

There is also a difference between the wisdom that comes from above and the wisdom of this world. The wisdom of the world may sound impressive and it often puts great pressure on people to follow a certain path to be considered successful, but apart from God it is earthly and it comes to nothing. It often leads to envy, strife and anxiety. The wisdom that comes from above is pure and peaceable, and you can recognize it by its fruit. It brings purity, peace and a settled trust in the Lord. It is also a defense and it gives life to those who have it, more than money or achievement can.

That helps as you think about college. A college education can give knowledge, but knowledge alone is not wisdom, and a degree alone does not guarantee that you are walking in God's will. It is possible to be very intelligent and still lack wisdom, and it is possible to be wise without following the path the world expects. There is no wisdom or counsel that can stand against the Lord, and true safety is found in Him. A life and a future are built through wisdom and understanding more than through any credential.

It is understandable that you felt overwhelmed by the difficulty of the work. God does not call everyone to the same course of training, and not completing a particular program is not a failure if you are walking faithfully with Him. At the same time, feelings of stress or relief alone should not make the decision for you. Peace that comes from God's wisdom is deeper than just the absence of pressure. It is worth asking, with the Lord and with mature believers who know you, what gifts God has given you, what He is calling you to do, what doors He is opening, and whether returning to that environment would help you serve Him better or draw you away from Him.

I encourage you to bring this specifically to the Lord in prayer as Solomon did, asking not for riches or status but for wisdom to steward your life well. Ask Him to show you how to use your time, strength and opportunities for His glory. Seek counsel from godly people who can see your life more objectively, consider your long term calling rather than short term pressure, and look for the path that allows you to depart from evil, pursue purity, and walk in faithfulness to Christ.

May God grant you wisdom and understanding as you seek Him, and may He guide your steps so that you can walk with confidence in His will. I am praying that He will make His direction clear to you and give you peace as you trust Him with this decision.

 

[hostadmin]

We want to thank you for trusting us with your prayer request as you sought God’s wisdom about returning to college. It’s clear this decision has weighed heavily on your heart, and we’ve been lifting you up, asking the Lord to grant you peace and clarity in the midst of this uncertainty.

We’ve prayed specifically that He would quiet the anxiety in your stomach and replace it with His perfect peace—that you would sense His leading as you consider the path ahead. We’ve also asked Him to give you confidence in whatever choice aligns with His will, knowing that His plans for you are good.

If the Lord has already made His answer clear to you—whether through that sense of relief when you consider not returning, through wise counsel from others, or through His Word—we would love to celebrate that with you. Please share a praise report so we can rejoice together in how He has guided you.

If you’re still seeking His direction or feeling unsettled, we want to continue standing with you in prayer. You’re welcome to post this as a new request, and we’ll keep interceding for God’s wisdom to be unmistakable in your life. Either way, we’re here to support you as you walk in faith.

May the Lord continue to draw near to you as you seek Him, and may His Spirit confirm the right decision in your heart. We pray all these things in Jesus’ Name.