I was not one of those so-called the campus sweethearts in high school. I always told myself that there was no one would ever like me the way I was. In truth, this didn’t really bother me. I told myself that once I had a boyfriend, just someone in my life, maybe I could regain my confidence.

After graduation I had a sigh of relief. College at last! A bigger world for me, more challenges, more experiences. I was going to university where I expected I would find my prince. But after my first year in college, my expectations failed me. Just when all hope was lost, my prince appeared. A guy approached me and we became fast friends. We were able to build a rapport with each other. I felt so blissful and it made me feel that love truly existed! Until one day, I found out that my supposed prince had wife. Everything fell apart. End. Another potential prince came to save me from my dark hole, but I later found out it was the same situation again.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11.

Looking back at these experiences, I’ve come to the realization that I shouldn’t rush things in life that can wait. While I do not mean to exonerate the men in these situations, God was able to take these hardships and impart an important lesson. I have been amazed at how God used these situations for me to be a good testimony to others. In fact, I use these stories whenever I am sharing to the youth or young adults in our church, or even at work, to teach about how God is constantly seeking after us, even in times of hardship.

As God mentions: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you, and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"- Jeremiah 29:11.

He indeed was able to reveal to me that he doesn't want His children to be harmed, nor to feel pain. He used those scenarios in my life to make me look for Him. In my emptiness, I longed to look for him. He guided me to search for his presence in my life. That was how God turned terrible situations into part of His plan for me. Whatever it is we're going through, let us seek His will and rest assured that it'll be for the better. Since God has loved us first and is continuously loving us, we should be sharing love with other people, not waiting for a prince or princess.

God is telling us, "You are worth the wait."

Discussion Questions: How has God searched out for you? How well do you wait on the love of God?

See more devotions from Ann Lea and our other Young Adult writers, or find our how you can become a writer yourself, at our Young Adult devotions page.