“Dear younger me, where do I start?
If I could tell you everything that I have learned so far,
then you could be one step ahead… ”
(Dear Younger Me, Mercy Me)
Over the years, we’ve all had our share of mistakes, experiences, and victories that have taught us and grown us. How much simpler life might have been if we had known it all beforehand! Though time travel doesn’t exist, and I can’t go counsel my younger self, yet here are 11 things I would say to me if I could do it all again.
1: Read your Bible and pray every day.
Time with God is the best way to start off your day. Christ is the best friend you could ever have, for He is always there for you. Don’t try to carry your burdens alone. Bring them to Him. Don’t make the stupid excuse that you don’t have time to spend with Jesus. The King of the Universe wants to spend time with you! Treasure your time with Him each morning.
2: Find your worth in Christ.
It is so easy for you to find your worth in what people say about you, your appearance, or your accomplishments and successes. It is so easy for you to believe you are worth more if you do more. You think your worth and value directly relates to how much you accomplish or how well you do.
Stop believing these lies from Satan, who tries to make you find your worth in anything except Jesus. Your inherent value is in Christ and His love for you.
3: Listen to your parents.
They want what is best for you. Stay within their circle of protection and blessing. Earn your parent’s trust, for not only is this is a wonderful feeling, but it will also allow you to become more independent and have more freedom. Having your parent’s trust is one of the best things you can have as a young adult.
4: you’re not a failure If He Doesn’t Like You Back.
You’re still beautiful, loved, funny, smart, talented, and likeable. Don’t let one person not having romantic feelings for you make you feel like you are not worthy of being loved. Don’t compare yourself with another girl that boy might like. Stop wondering if it is because she is prettier than you–because God has made you special, wonderful, and beautiful just the way you are.
Remember that you have the love of Jesus–a love deeper, higher, stronger, and wider than any other love you can ever experience. This is not the end of the world as you know it, nor the end of feelings for anyone ever. The truth is, God has something better in store for yo–whether that is a special person or the gift of singleness.
5: What fells like the worst Can be a stepping stone to many better things.
You might feel awful now, but you’re not going to forever. You’re going to look back and realize that what you felt was the worst thing ever, God used for your ultimate good.
What Satan means for evil, God uses for good. God might have taken something away, but that loss will bring you great joy. The best is yet to come, because God has great things in store for you. Rock bottom might be a step leading to a mountaintop.
God won’t ever abandon us in our worst place. Psalm 40:2 says, “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”
6: Serve your family with joy.
Your home is the place God has called you to serve right now. It might also be the hardest place you serve, for isn’t always fun, and it is certainly not glamorous. It doesn’t seem very world-changing to wash dishes, teach your little siblings grammar, or vacuum. But guess what? A poor carpenter who lived 2,000 years ago didn’t have a glamorous job. Even though he came to change–and save–the world, he was a servant. Should you not be the same?A poor carpenter who lived 2,000 years ago didn’t have a glamorous job. Even though he came to change--and save--the world, he was a servant. Should you not be the same? Click To Tweet
7: Be grateful for all you have, instead of complaining about all You Don’t.
You do have friends. You have a job you love, you have money, you have everything you need. You have more than enough food, clothing, and water. You have a beautiful family, a church that you love going to, and talents that God has given you. Be grateful for everything God has given you. Recognize your abundance. Don’t compare what you have with what others have. Instead of complaining, find joy in gratitude.
8: Give everything 100% effort.
Don’t slack. Put your whole heart into everything you do. Don’t be afraid to break a sweat or to struggle. Keep trying to understand those difficult concepts in school, keep pushing yourself until you are confident that you are giving it all you’ve got. Don’t settle for less than 100% effort.
9: Don’t underestimate the strength God has given you.
You’re so afraid that you will fail. You live in constant anxiety that you won’t get that grade. That you will mess up or fail to achieve, even when you’ve worked hard and everyone knows you can do it.
Don’t.
Stop underestimating yourself. Stop doubting the abilities God has given you. Don’t be conceited, but know that God makes you strong. Don’t believe you will never fail, but know that you are capable.
10: Know that your life is significant right now.
You think that you’ll only be “someone”– someone important or able to make a difference–once you graduate high school, or are in college, or have a career. The truth is, you are someone right now. You can and you are making a difference right now. Don’t despise your own youth.
11: Live in the present moment.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. Don’t worry about tomorrow, or become so obsessed with it that you don’t enjoy today. Smile, and enjoy where God has place you right at this moment.
Dear younger me, dear present me, dear future me--live the full, free, abundant life that Christ has called you to. He will continue to do, as he has already done in your life, abundantly more than you can ask or imagine. Click To TweetDear younger me, dear present me, dear future me—live the full, free, abundant life that Christ has called you to. He will continue to do, as he has already done in your life, abundantly more than you can ask or imagine.
